Bottled Petrichor E21 Falsafa and Kalam with Dr. Peter Adamson
Jan 12, 2023
Dr. Peter Adamson, a Professor of Philosophy at LMU Munich and the host of a renowned philosophy podcast, dives into the fascinating worlds of falsafa and kalam. He explains how these traditions engage with Greek philosophy and their differing approaches to theology. Adamson highlights the contributions of non-Muslims to Islamic philosophy and contrasts the views on prophecy and the afterlife. He also debunks the myth of a philosophical decline, showcasing the continued vibrancy of intellectual activity in the medieval period.
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Falsafah's Meaning Shift
- Falsafah began as Arabic engagement with Greek philosophia, especially Aristotle, via translations rather than Greek reading.
- Over time "falsafah" shifted to often mean Avicenna's distinctive philosophy rather than classical Aristotelianism.
Kalam As Rational Theology
- Kalam is a rationalist theological tradition that uses arguments to justify religious beliefs and explain doctrine.
- It treats proofs for God's existence, prophecy, free will, and natural philosophy as philosophical problems handled within theology.
Mu'tazila Versus Ash'arite Divide
- Two main Kalam currents are the Mu'tazila, who stress divine unity and human reason, and the Ash'arites, who stress divine voluntariness and authority.
- This produces starkly different ethical and theological conclusions about God's attributes and moral justice.
