Causality in Islamic philosophy : the arguments of Ibn Sina

Ariff, Syamsuddin (2009) Causality in Islamic philosophy : the arguments of Ibn Sina. Islam and Science, 7 (1). pp. 51-68. ISSN 1703-7603 (P), 1703-7602X (O)

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Abstract

Few ideas in the history of philosophy in Islam have been so much debated, attacked, and defended as has the thesis that a necessary connection exists between cause and effect, that cause and effect are so inextricably linked that the existence of one necessitates and implies that of the other, and that if the cause has occurred, the effect cannot fail to occur. For instance, it is this conception of causality, with its hidden assumptions and far-reaching ramifications (e.g. the fettering of God's Will, the eternity of the world, the denial of the possibility of miracles, etc.), that prompted al-Ghazali (d. 505/1111) to charge Ibn Sina with heresy and infidelity. This article reexamines Ibn Sina's views on this crucial issue by looking first into his exposition of the four causes and his account of causal efficacy and necessity, before finally discussing his theory of chance.

Item Type:	Article (Journal)
Additional Information:	5508/12618 (Sherwood Park, Canada - printed journal)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Ibn Sina; natural philosophy; cause-effect relation; causality; causal efficacy; chance and luck; determinism.
Subjects:	B Philosophy. Psychology. Religion > BP Islam. Bahaism. Theosophy, etc
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences > Department of General Studies
Depositing User:	Mrs, Misnah Sariman
Date Deposited:	02 Feb 2012 11:43
Last Modified:	02 Feb 2012 11:43
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/12618

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