Avicenna's Philosophy Handout 07 (Logic)

Outline 

1.    Logic

a.     Its position

                                                             i.      In the greater picture of peripatetic school

                                                           ii.       as an instrumental science

                                                         iii.      Regulative, not constitutive
                                                                Sources of Avicenna's Logic

b.    General structure of Avicennian Logic:

                                                             i.      Definition

1.    Categories

a.     Essence

                                                                                                                                     i.      Genus

                                                                                                                                   ii.      Differentia

b.    Accidents

                                                           ii.      Demonstration

1.    Form

a.     Modus Ponens & Modus tollens (Hypothetical syllogism)

b.    Deductive syllogism

c.     Induction

d.    Induction

2.    Content

                                                         iii.      The five modes of argument

1.    syllogism

2.    rhetoric

3.    polemic

4.    poetic

5.    fallacies

c.     Avicenna’s original contributions to Aristotelian Logic:

                                                             i.      Propositional Logic: introduction and formulation of Deductive/hypothetical syllogism

                                                           ii.      Modalities:

1.    Introduction of Time and temporality as the fifth modality (Aristotelian four being necessity, possibility, probability and impossibility)

2.    Introduction of necessity by existence (as long as fire exists, it is hot; but even a mental triangle has three angles – it’s not necessary by existence, but by essence)

1.    Introduction of conditional or temporal necessity (any writer holds pen by necessity as long as he actually is writing)

2.    Completion of the division between first and secondary intelligible (Farabi had roughly introduced it)

                                                           

Book Excerpts and Papers

Avicenna's Conception of the Modalities by Allen Back

Links

Avicenna's Logic Stanford

Aristotle on Genus and Differentia Edgar Herbert Granger

Doctrines of Islam Handout 05 (Argument based on Fitra)

Outline

                                                              i.      Argument based on Fitra (Human innate nature)

1.     Meaning of Fitra

2.     Division of Fitra

a.      Conative

                                                                                                                                      i.      Yearning for eternity

                                                                                                                                    ii.      Yearning for perfection

                                                                                                                                  iii.      Yearning for pleasure

                                                                                                                                  iv.      Yearning for comfort

                                                                                                                                    v.      Yearning for creativity and innovation

                                                                                                                                  vi.      Yearning for moral virtues

                                                                                                                                vii.      Love and devotion

                                                                                                                              viii.      All of these stem from self-love (conatus)?

b.     Cognitive

3.     Historical Precedents (tabula rasa and human inherit knowledge)

a.      Later philosophical treatment (Cartesian craftsman’s mark)

4.     Qur’an and Hadith formulation of the argument

5.     Different Versions of the argument by Muslim theologians

6.     Argument of the Sincere

7.     Argument from common consensus and its difference from Argument from Fitra

Related Verses in Qur'an

Their apostles said "Is there any doubt about God, the originator of the heavens and the earth?! He calls you to forgive you a part of your sins, and grants you respite until a specified time." They said "You are nothing but humans like us who desire to bar us from what our fathers used to worship. So bring us a manifest authority." 14:10

When distress befalls people, they supplicate their Lord, turning to Him in penitence. Then, when He lets them taste His mercy, behold, a part of them ascribe partners to their Lord. 30:33

Say "Who delivers you from the darkness of land and sea, [when] You invoke Him suppliantly and secretly: "If He delivers us from this, we will surely be among the grateful"?" Say "It is God who delivers you from them and from every agony, [but] then you ascribe partners [to Him].” 6:63-64

It is He who carries you across land and sea. When you are in the ships, and they sail with them with a favorable wind, rejoicing in it, there comes upon them a tempestuous wind and waves assail them from every side, and they think that they are besieged, they invoke God putting exclusive faith in Him "If You deliver us from this, we will surely be among the grateful.” But when He delivers them, behold, they commit violations on the earth unduly! O mankind! Your violations are only to your own detriment. [These are] the wares of the life of this world; then to Us will be your return, whereat We will inform you concerning what you used to do. 10:22-23

And when distress befalls you at sea, those whom you invoke besides Him are forsaken. But when He delivers you to land, you are disregardful [of Him] . And man is very ungrateful. 17:67

Thus did We show Abraham the dominions of the heavens and the earth, that he might be of those who possess certitude. When night darkened over him, he saw a star and said, "This is my Lord!" But when it set, he said, "I do not like those who set. Then, when he saw the moon rising, he said, "This is my Lord!" But when it set, he said, "Had my Lord not guided me, I would surely have been among the astray lot.”
Then, when he saw the sun rising, he said, "This is my Lord! This is bigger!" But when it set, he said, "O my people, indeed I disown what you take as [His] partners. Indeed I have turned my face toward Him who originated the heavens and the earth, as a Hanif, and I am not one of the polytheists.” 6:75-79

Book Excerpts

Shaykh Saduq on Fitra

Ayt. Tabatabae's formulation of the Argument of the Sincere by M. Legenhausen

Natural Disposition or Fitra by H. Qara'ati

Ayt. Mutahhari on Fitra

S. S. Akhtar Rizvi on Fitra

Rabbani Golpaygani on Argument based on Fitra
Webpage links

Fitra in Islamic Tradition, Oxford

Doctrines of Islam Handout 04 (Teleological Argument)

Outline

a.      Arguments for the Existence of God

                                                              i.      Argument from Design/Teleological Argument

1.     Historical background

2.     Qur’an and Hadith (Tradition of Mufaddal and the story of lady with spinning machine)

3.     Definition of Order and Design and their relation to telos (goal or end)

4.     Mechanic and Organic design (the question of life)

5.     Problems of Teleological argument

a.      Mathematical possibility of accidental design and order (design by Chance)

c.      Evolution: Nature behind the design (not God)

Related verses from Qur'an

Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the alternation of night and day, and the ships that sail at sea with profit to men, and the water that God sends down from the sky with which He revives the earth after its death, and scatters therein every kind of animal and the changing of the winds, and the clouds disposed between the sky and the earth, are surely signs for a people who apply reason. 2:164

Indeed in the creation of the heavens and the earth and the alternation of night and day, there are signs for those who possess intellects. Those who remember God … and reflect on the creation of the heavens and the earth [and say] "Our Lord, You have not created this in vain! Immaculate are You! Save us from the punishment of the Fire. 3:190-191

He created seven heavens in layers. You do not see any discordance in the creation of the All-beneficent. Look again! Do you see any flaw? 67:3

Our Lord is He who gave everything its creation and then guided it. 20:50

Among His signs are the creation of Heaven and Earth, as well as the diversity in your tongues and colors. In that are signs for those who know. 30:22

Splitter of the dawn, He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for calculation. That is the ordaining of the All-mighty, the All-knowing. 6:96

It is He who made the sun a radiance and the moon a light, and ordained its phases that you might know the number of years and the calculation of time. God did not create all that except with reason. He elaborates the signs for a people who have knowledge. 10:5

God is the One Who has raised up the Heavens without any support you can see. Then He mounted on the Throne and regulated the sun and moon; each runs along on a specific course. He directs the matter; He manifests signs so that you may be convinced about meeting your Lord. 13:2

Book Excerpts

Existence of God in Mizan al-Hikma (Hadith Collection)

the Qur'an and Modern Science by Maurice Bucaille

Order & Intellect by Ayt. Makarem Shirazi

Tradition of Mufaddal (Complete Translation)

‌Bibliographical Description of Tradition of Mufaddal

Hume's objections against the Teleological Argument

Webpage Links

Typology of the Arguments for the Existence of God

Teleological Argument Wikishia

Teleological Argument Stanford

ٍEvolution and Creation

Ayt. Makarem on Evolution and Creation in Islam
S. H. Huseini on Evolution and Creation in Islam
M. Mutahhari on the Problem of Life
Verses of Qur'an Supportive of Evolution theory?

Avicenna's Course Handout 06 (Existence and Essence)

Outline

1.    Ontological separation between Essence and Existence

a.     Introduction

                                                             i.      Aristotelian dichotomies between:

1.    Form and Matter

2.    Essence and Accidents

To explain the motion; Aristotle first cause is responsible for motion, not existence

Plato’s Demiurge is just a form giver, not existence giver

                                                           ii.      Muslim philosophers had to explain the existence, not motion (creation)

b.    Avicenna’s arguments for the ontological separation between existence/being and essence/quiddity

c.     The ramifications of such a separation

d.    Distinction between Contingent being and Necessary being

e.    Seeds of Hierarchy and gradation of Existence

f.      The core of requiring a cause: temporality or contingency?

g.     Causality (the core of causality; the Principle of al-Wahid)

Book Excerpts

Essence and Existence in Islamic East by Robert Wisnovsky

Heidrun Eichner-Essence and Existence in Islamic Theology and Philosophy

Necessary & Possible. Avicenna - THE METAPHYSICS OF THE HEALING-Brigham University Press (2005)

Avicenna's Course Handout 05 (Metaphysics)

Outline

1.    Metaphysics

a.     Its subject: Aristotelian Dilemma: Being qua being or first causes?  

                                                             i.      Avicenna: let the subject be: being qua being and its immediate properties like: unity/plurality; cause or effect;

1.    This way we’ll have all the necessary topics and goals we expect from Metaphysics covered, and

2.    We also discuss about “first cause” when we discuss certain divisions of being qua being, like the necessary being, or the eternal being

b.    Its goal and benefit: determination of the realities of all things, inasmuch as that is possible for a human being.

1.    True knowledge (what, if it exists and why does it exist)

2.    Comprehensive knowledge (of everything) so that man turns to little cosmos corresponding to the greater cosmos

                                                           ii.      Foundations of other sciences

                                                         iii.      Theology

                                                         iv.      Angiology

                                                           v.      Mechanics (motion of heavenly bodies)

c.     Its methodology

                                                             i.      Avicennian innovation in methodology: thought experiment

Book Excerpts

Metaphysics according to Avicenna-The reception of Aristotle's Metaphysics in Avicenna's Kitāb al-Šifāơ a milestone of Western metaphysical thought

Avicenna's Philosophy Course Handout 04 (Classification of Sciences)

Outline

a.     Introduction

                                                             i.      Criterion of classification

1.    Subject matter

2.    Goal

3.    Method

a.     Rational arguments (philosophy and mathematics)

b.    Experiments

c.     Narrative (history)

                                                           ii.      Aristotelian division

1.    Theoretical: to know

2.    Practical: to do

3.    Poetical: to make

b.    Philosophy

                                                             i.      Theoretical: to find the truth, perfect the soul by knowledge alone

1.    Natural: in matter and with motion

2.    Mathematical: in matter but without motion

3.    Theological: not in matter and not with motion

                                                           ii.      Practical: to find the good (or apply the good?) perfect the soul through the knowledge and application of good

c.     Avicenna’s own classification

                                                             i.      With permanent rules (Hikmi Sciences)

1.    Instrumental (applied sciences)

2.    Non-instrumental

a.     Theoretical

b.    Practical

                                                           ii.      With relative or temporal rules

Book Excerpts

Avicenna and Classification of Sciences. Gutas

Doctrines of Islam Handout 03 (Tawhid-Introduction)

Outline

a.      Introduction

                                                              i.      Tawhid or oneness of God: The most pivotal doctrinal belief in Islam

                                                            ii.      Contrast between Tawhid (Monotheism) and Shirk (polytheism): to Be discussed under the subsection of divine attribute of Oneness

 Contrast between Theism and Atheism : to be discussed under subsection for the Existence of God

                                                          iii.      Possibility of Knowing God, His Essence and His Attributes

Related Verses in Qur’an:

Say,"He is God, the One.
God is the All-embracing.
He neither begat, nor was begotten,
nor has He any equal." 112:1-4

God bears witness that there is no god except Him and so do the angels and those who possess knowledge maintainer of justice, there is no god but Him, the Almighty, the All-wise. 3:18

That is God, your Lord, there is no god except Him, the creator of all things; so worship Him. He watches over all things. 6:102

Indeed I am God there is no god except Me. So worship Me, and maintain the prayer for My remembrance. 20:14

Indeed your God is Allah. There is no god except Him. He embraces all things in [His] knowledge. 20:98

We did not send any apostle before you but We revealed to him that "There is no god except Me; so worship Me." 21:25

So exalted is God, the True Sovereign, there is no god except Him, the Lord of the Noble Throne. 23:116

He is God, there is no god except Him. All praise belongs to Him in this world and the Hereafter. All judgement belongs to Him, and to Him you will be brought back. 28:70

That is God, your Lord, the creator of all things, there is no god except Him. Then where do you stray? 40:62

There is no god except Him: He gives life and brings death, your Lord and the Lord of your forefathers. 44:8

He is God there is no god except Him Knower of the sensible and the Unseen, He is the All-beneficent, the All-merciful. 59:22

And do not invoke another god besides God; there is no god except Him. Everything is to perish except His Face. All judgement belongs to Him, and to Him you will be brought back. 28:88


Soon We shall show them Our signs in the horizons and in their own souls until it becomes clear to them that He is the Real. Is it not sufficient that your Lord is witness to all things? 41:53

Excerpts

Existence of God in Mizan al-Hikma (Hadith Collection)

Knowing God and His Unity in Mizan al-Hikma (Hadith Collection)

Links

Tawhid Wikishia

Shirk (Polytheism) WikiShia

Unity of Allah by Al-Jibouri

Monotheism by al-Qazwini

Monotheism by Ayt. Mesbah Yazdi

Books

God and His Attributes by S.M. Musavi Lari

God: An Islamic Perspective by S.S. Akhtar Rizvi

Avicenna's Philosophy Handout 03 (Backgrounds)

Outline

Qur'an and Hadith (Islamic Holy Text) as inspiration (regulative and constitutive elements) for Islamic Philosophy

Greek Philosophy as the formal and historical background for Islamic Philosophy

      Similarities and Differences between Greek and Islamic Philosophy/Metaphysics

	Greek Philosophy	Islamic Philosophy
Subject Matter	Being qua being First Causes (aitia) And Principles (Archai) of things	Being qua being The first origin
Method	Rational analysis	Rational analysis
Goals	Does X Exist? What is X? Why does it Exist? How do we know all of this?	Does X Exist? What is X? Why does it Exist? How do we know all of this?
Main questions and concerns	Motion, Cosmological order and elements	Motion, Being, First Cause, Human soul and its eternity
Background and context	Homer and Hesiod	Qur’an and Sunna

                                                             i.     Muslims knew of Greek philosophy through different mediations. in particular, Christian mediation made 1- mixture between Aristotelian and Platonic traditions; and 2- omission of humanistic parts of Greek tradition, like Homer and Hesiod

Excerpts

Corbin-Sources of Philosophy in Islam

Qur'an & Hadith as sources for Philosophy-Nasr

Backgrounds of Islamic Philosophy-Fakhry

F.E. Peters- Foreign backgrounds of Islamic Philosophy

Bertolacci- BETWEEN AMMONIUS AND AVICENNA