Transcript IDEOLOGY Lesson 2

IDEOLOGY
Lesson 2
Notes from Lectures of
Dr. Sayed Fadhil Al-Milani
International College of Islamic Studies
(ICIS)
Student Translator: Aous Asfar
A. The Old Curriculum
1. The Proof of Necessary Existence and
Unnecessary Existence (wujub wa
imkaan)
2. The Proof of Motion (al-haraka)
3. The Proof of Impartiality (al-tajarrud)
4. The Proof of Occurrence (al-huduth)
5. The Proof of the Chosen Ones (alsiddeeqeen)
B. New Curriculum
1. Contemplating the Existence of the
Universe
2. Descarte
3. Proof of Organization (al-nidhaam)
C. Ahlul Bayt (as)
• Here we will explore some proofs from
Ahlulbayt (as).
A. Old Curriculum
1. The Proof of Necessary Existence &
Unnecessary Existence
Arabic: burhaan al-wujub wa alimkaan/al-hukamaa’ al-ilaahiyyeen
• This proof explores proving God as
the necessary existent Whose
existence is essential and does not
come from other than him.
Intro to Proof
• Everything that we immagine in our
minds and realize with our senses can
cease to exist and can change.
• Therefore, existence of such things is
NOT essential or part of its essence.
• Rather, it is gained from something,
Allah-the necessary existent.
Continued…
2. And if the existence of the cause is
gained, we then ask:
From where did it gain its existence?
a) If it is said: From the Essential/Primary
existent = Circular argument = FALSE
- Because “a” is contingent on “b” and
“b” is contingent on “a”.
Continued…
b) If it is said:
From another existent or another cause,
We then say:
a)Is the existence in the cause:
I. Essential = proven our point
II. Gained = we continue…
b) If it is said:
From another existent or another cause,…
and we continue ad infinitum = argument is
false
Conclusion
•
In this proof we can end up with one of
the following conclusions:
a. There is an essential existent that is
necessary and is the first cause of all
things (Allah).
b. An infinite series argument that is
logically false.
Question
• But how does man (a gained existent)
relate to the Necessary Existent?
• A: Take some oil, pour it on a glass
table top, pour some flour on it, let the
oil soak in the flour, then place your
hand in the flour and take a paper towel
and wipe your hand with it…
Continued…
• Place the paper towel infront of
someone who is naturally curious.
• This person will ask you:
From where did this towel get its
oiliness?
• You answer: From my hand.
• He says: And from where did your hand
get it oiliness?
Continued…
• You say: From the flour.
• He says: Where did the flour get its oiliness
from?
• You say: From the table top.
• He says: Where did the table top get its
oiliness?
• You say: From the oil.
• At this point he stops asking any questions
because there is no point in asking about
where the oil got its oiliness from.
Conclusion
• Did you see how the oiliness was gained by
the towel, your hand, the flour and the table
top?
• Therefore, these things needed a cause to
provide it with its oiliness.
• As for the oil, oiliness is essential to it.
• And this is corollary to how gained existence
gains its existence from an essential
necessary existent.
Summary
•
Our existence either ends up being a
result of:
1. Circular argument
2. Infinite argument in series
3. The Necessary Existent
• Since 1 & 2 are false (through logic), 3
must be true.
2. Proof of Motion
•
•
Arabic: burhaan al-haraka
History: By Aristotle
Continued…
1. Motion requires a mover
2. The mover and the motion are related in
time (difference is not in time but order)
3. Every mover is either in motion or static
4. Every body is changing and in motion
5. Infinite argument in changing things is
impossible
6. Therefore, the series of motions must go
back to a static mover (the first mover).
3. Proof of Detachment
• Arabic: burhan al-tajarud/al-hukamaa’
• This proof is based on a study of the truth of
the soul, for the intellectual soul is detached
in essence from materialism
• And it is impossible for the first cause to to be
a body, for if it was a body, it would not differ
from other bodies and may have limitations.
• Therefore, the first cause must be
metaphysical, essentially detached,
absolutely unlimited, and that is Allah.
4. Proof of Occurrence
1. The world is changing
2. Everything that changes is new in
occurrence.
3. Therefore: The world is new in
occurrence.
Continued…
•
Now we take the result and make it
the first premise:
1. The world is new in occurrence.
2. Everything that is new in occurrence is
in need of a creator.
3. Result: The world needs a creator.
Continued…
• This creator can NOT be newly
occurring, because it would need a
creator itself.
• If the creator of that occurrence needs a
creator then we have a circular
argument = false.
• Infinite creators = infinite argument =
false.
Conclusion
• Therefore, the creator of this universe
must be old in existence, whose
existence does not accept nonexistence.
• Meaning always and necessary in
existence.
• He is Allah, The First Cause.
Question
• Why do all occurring things require a creator
of that action?
• A. If things were based on coincidence:
Story of blind man and papers.
100 page book:
1: 1/100
2: 1/99
3: For p.1 & 2 to occur at once: 1/99 X 1/100
4: For p. 1-2-3:
1/98 X 1/99 X 1/100 = 1/970200 etc.
Conclusion
• Coincidence is impossible with respect
to creation.