Journal of Hikmat-e-Islami

Journal of Hikmat-e-Islami

The True Attribution of Mental and Practical Concepts to God - A Critique of Alston's Perspective based on Mullā Ṣadrā's Principles

Document Type : Original Article

Author
PhD Student in Philosophy of Religion, University of Tehran.
Abstract
Speaking truly about God has always been one of the most challenging discussions in the history of theology and philosophy. Some deny this possibility, while others believe in the possibility of speaking truly about God. Alston, in line with functionalism, attempts to prove the possibility of truly attributing mental and practical concepts to God. He considers the attribution of mental concepts dependent on the attribution of practical concepts. In the practical concepts, he speaks of the possibility of constructing practical concepts attributable to God that are not derived from human practical concepts. In this way, he tries to prove the ascription of both mental and practical concepts to God. However, he ends up with circular reasoning and attempts to resolve it. This paper establishes that, firstly, Mullā Ṣadrā does not consider the possibility of truly attributing mental concepts dependent on the attribution of practical concepts. Secondly, using the principles of univocality and gradation, he truly attributes perfections to God. It also seems that the problems faced by Alston can be resolved based on the principles of Mullā Ṣadrā.
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  • Receive Date 26 February 2022
  • Revise Date 25 September 2022
  • Accept Date 05 December 2022