معرفت فلسفی - موسسه آموزشی پژوهشی امام خمینی (ره) - الصفحة ٩

Abstracts

The possibility of achieving certainty, whether in the area of religion or otherwise, is an important question in epistemology. Modern scepticism denies such possibility, as the new trends in the philosophy of religion, political and moral philosophy, modern theology, hermeneutics and interpretation of texts point to relativism. In this paper, it is argued that such views are based on the presumption that epistemic certitude and representative knowledge are impossible, giving rise to claims such as the impossibility of establishing the existence of God, moral and value relativism, the temporary nature of Islamic teachings, epistemic and religious pluralism, and the validity of various versions of religion. Repudiating the presumption, the author argues that achieving certainty is an epistemic possibility.

Keywords: certainty, the possibility of certainty, modern scepticism, true knowledge, and false knowledge.

Hypothetical reasoning, or abduction, was introduced by Charles Sanders Pierce, alongside inductive and deductive reasoning. This method was later developed by, among others, Gilbert Harman. The main point is that explanatory considerations can lead us to a conclusion that was first introduced as a hypothesis. If our inference is tenable, then more evidence can be referred to. This method is used in many disciplines, including epistemology, in order to validate various statements about the outside world.

Concerning the outside world, epistemologists try to answer three questions: does it exist, can we have knowledge of it, and what is the criterion for assessing the validity of such knowledge. Some contemporary philosophers argue that these questions can be answered by recourse to "the best explanation", as a type of hypothetical reasoning. Such a method, however, needs to be described, explained and validated. In this paper, the author tries to account for the nature of this method, its advantage over others, and its validity. He intends to assess the applicability of the causal explanation approach in validating statements about the outside world.

Keywords: hypothetical reasoning, inference to the best explanation, validation, criterion, coherentism, relativism, causality, and reason.

For Molla Sadra, the priority of existence does not entail the inherent necessity of existence, because the former means the existence of what exists, without the involvement of the attributes, whereas inherent necessity means the existence of what exists, without the need for proving such existence. In Qaisari's view, however, the priority of existence requires the inherent necessity of existence, because repudiation of the involvement of the attributes amounts to the repudiation of the need for proving existence. Thus, existence does need neither attributes nor proof. Among various arguments, the author prefers the view advanced by mystists.

Keywords: the priority of existence, inherent necessity, Molla Sadra, Qaisari, and Sohravardi.

The priority of existence has given rise to a key philosophical debate since Molla Sadra, forming the backbone of his transcendental philosophy. In this paper, the logical necessity and unity of existence in his theory of the priority of existence are discussed. The question is whether the theory entails necessity as well as unity, without acknowledging diversity, of existence. For Molla Sadra, whereas the priority of existence entails the necessity of existence, in itself it does not deny the possibility of diversity. Nevertheless, some argue that the priority of existence entails the necessity of existence, and hence diversity is an attribute of existence.

Keywords: the priority of existence, the unity of existence, sceptical diversity of existence, the necessity of existence, the Three Principles of Molla Sadra, necessity, possibility and impossibility.

The rational, which are usually considered as a part of the sensual, are important in epistemology. In this paper, the rational and the sensual are defined and compared. It is argued that their traditional definitions in philosophy and logic are not free from difficulties. The definitions introduced by Mohaqeq Toosi have also attracted some support from various philosophers, though these definitions, too, need some modifications. The point that we have intuitive knowledge of our own conditions, faculties, activities and personhood makes it necessary to revise the definitions of the above terms. In other words, our rational statements are expression of our intuitive knowledge. On the other hand, the sensual are grasped through senses, inner sense, fear and engagement. Hence, the sensual should be distinguished from the rational, which are obvious statements beyond the sensual, and the most valid category of knowledge.

Keywords: the sensual, the inner sensual, the rational, intuitive statements, and inner senses.

What is "the Godel theorem"? How does it challenge foundationalism? And is it plausible? The author tries to answer these three questions. He begins with defining concepts such as knowledge, justification and foundation. In the following three parts, he answers three questions. First, the commonalities of all versions of foundationalism are examined. Second, the Godel theorem is explained, in twelve steps. Finally, four responses to the theorem are discussed.

Keywords: justification, foundationalism, Godel theorem, Incompleteness theorem.