Mir Damad and the Formation of Shi’i Philosophy; from Refining Avicennian Philosophy to the Theory of Perpetual Creation

Document Type : Original Research

Authors
H. Najafi 1
H. Naji Esfahani 2
1 Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Philosophy, Faculty of Humanities, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
10.58209/jpt.5.1.29
Abstract
Mir Damad’s foundations in sketching the worldview of Yemani Wisdom and formulating the theory of perpetual creation are a product of the refining and expanding of the Avicennian worldview. Inspired by certain Quranic verses and traditions and combining reason and transmission, Mir Damad aimed to broaden and change the discussions on perpetuity and eternity, priority and posteriority, and types of creation. He did this without the least disturbing of the rational foundations of Avicennian philosophy, introducing the grounds for the view of real creation and the separable posteriority of the contingent realm. In this research, while explaining Mir Damad’s usage of transmitted arguments and his commitment to the teachings of Avicenna in presenting the theory of perpetual creation, we have shown that Mir Damad changed the structure of Avicennian thought with the great precision that he had. He did this in such a way that avoiding his expansion would close the path to presenting and establishing the theory of perpetual creation. Mir Damad’s attempt to offer a new interpretation of the world's inception in light of the teachings of religion is considered a great step in the formation of Shi’i Philosophy.

Keywords

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