MohamadMahdi Jandaghian; Reza Akbari
Volume 10, Issue 2 , March 2022, , Pages 43-65
Abstract
In this paper, the term "Priority theology" is introduced to describe the theological system of Abu al-Husayn al-Basri in discussing the problem of divine action or, more generally, the problem of "God and the world." He believed that in a causal relationship, the cause does not necessitate the effect ...
Read More
In this paper, the term "Priority theology" is introduced to describe the theological system of Abu al-Husayn al-Basri in discussing the problem of divine action or, more generally, the problem of "God and the world." He believed that in a causal relationship, the cause does not necessitate the effect but only makes the effect more likely to occur. According to him, since nature as a whole and as a collection of things and relationships is a creation of a Free God, the natural relationship, causality in nature, is only preponderant (أولی), not necessary; therefore, peripatetics and asharits' ideas of necessity and coincidence in causality are inaccurate. According to priority theology, God can act freely to create the world, choose states and objects for existence, and reset or change natural flows. Furthermore, priority theology emphasizes the role God, man, and nature play in reality. The explanation of miracles done by prophets, miracles of saints, answering prayers, termination of decisions, and appearance (بداء) in al-Basri's theology show that man and nature follow the order and authority established by God. However, God can intervene in the world for some reason, such as the revelation of his power and authority. By presenting a theological analysis of the philosophical approach, al-Basri's theology could create a new way of defending theological claims. Later, Ibn al-Malahim, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Sadid al-Din al-Hemmasi al-Razi, Khawaja Nasir al-Din al-Tusi, Allama Helli, and others welcomed his theological way and established the basis for their theological systems. Some of the effects and consequences of al-Basri's priority theology include presenting new definitions of necessity, further explanations of causality in the world, the solution of predestination and delegation through intermediate position, miracles, and the like, and finally, solving the problem of evil.
Hossein Ejtehadian
Volume 8, Issue 1 , May 2019, , Pages 63-81
Abstract
Physics not only could change our philosophical and theological world view, but also itself is based on philosophical and theological presuppositions and perspectives. Quantum mechanics beside the failure of positivists viewpoint in twentieth century deepened the relations of physics and philosophical ...
Read More
Physics not only could change our philosophical and theological world view, but also itself is based on philosophical and theological presuppositions and perspectives. Quantum mechanics beside the failure of positivists viewpoint in twentieth century deepened the relations of physics and philosophical and theological world views. There has been so many efforts to maintain the idea of intentional or special divine action in the world, and do so in a variety of ways, all of which heavily engage quantum theory. Quantum mechanics events have been so amazing and confusing that resulted to different interpretations. The Quantum mechanics relation to theology or metaphysic entirely depended to the interpretation of physical phenomenon and affected from the entailments of physics about the real world. In this article we will integrate David Bohm’s interpretation of Quantum mechanics and Sadra’s philosophy to explain special divine action in the world.
Hossein Ejtehadian; rasool rasoolipoor
Volume 7, Issue 2 , February 2018, , Pages 55-80
Abstract
Divine action in the world is one of the important problematic questions in contemporary philosophy of religion. After new inventions in modern physics during 20’th century some of the scholars claimed that in spite of classical physics in which physical laws constrain divine actions, in modern ...
Read More
Divine action in the world is one of the important problematic questions in contemporary philosophy of religion. After new inventions in modern physics during 20’th century some of the scholars claimed that in spite of classical physics in which physical laws constrain divine actions, in modern physics, uncertainty principle could explain and justify God intervention in the world. But quantum mechanics had produced big challenges in ontology and had not straightforward metaphysics and resulted to different interpretations, each suggesting different way to explain divine actions. Bohmian interpretation of quantum mechanics regarding his special metaphysical ideas like implicate order, holomovement and holism presenting novel perspective on this issue. This article investigate relation between Bohmian interpretation of quantum mechanics and divine actions in the world and shows its capacities on this issue.
Tahameh Ansarian; Narges Nazarnejad
Volume 6, Issue 1 , January 2017, , Pages 65-88
Abstract
Nancy Murphy is an American philosopher and theologian, who attempts to use quantum physics to propose a new account of divine action in the world. She believes that any theory of divine action in the world would be acceptable if consistent with both science and theology. Murphy uses bottom-up causation ...
Read More
Nancy Murphy is an American philosopher and theologian, who attempts to use quantum physics to propose a new account of divine action in the world. She believes that any theory of divine action in the world would be acceptable if consistent with both science and theology. Murphy uses bottom-up causation to explain her view about God’s action. She believes that God is a hidden variable. As a result she explains God’s action, appealing to indeterminacy at the quantum level. She believes that there are no accidental events at the quantum level, and God’s actions don’t violate the laws of nature. In the present research, presenting a careful explanation of Nancy Murphy's view, we discuss and examine the criticisms presented against her approach.
