An Inquiry into the Theory of Emanation and Its Relation to Creation in Avicenna’s in Avicenna View

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Ph.D student specialist , Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

2 Associate professor of philosophy, Islamic Azad University, Central Tehran Branch, Tehran, Iran

3 Najafiafra.Mehdi. professor, philosophy, central Tehran branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran. Iran

10.22061/orj.2021.1671

Abstract

In proposing his doctrine of creation, Avicenna is under the influence of Aristotle and Neoplatonian theory of emanation as well as Islamic theologicians and religious texts. This is why his thought is basically different from previous thinkers. While he defines “the agent” as “emanatory” and “cause of existence”, he believes that the relationship between the beings and the agent is based on an existential relationship. With minor amendments, his theory of “creative foreknowledge” can be proposed as a prominent theory about the origin of emanation of beings. He examines divine knowledge by referring to “knowledge by presence” and “unity of the knower and the known”. Given his comments about knowledge by presence, the divine knowledge about the created beings including mubda'at, mukhtara'at and mukawwanat can be explained based on his theory. Particularly, he explains divine knowledge about the created beings through the divine knowledge of his own essence. Then the emanation theory has not been neglected by later philosophers and has been considered as one of the most rational interpreatations of God as the creator and agent and of the creation of world. In this article. We have tried to explain the relationship between the creator and the created based on the emanation theory of Avicenna. The theory of emanation along with We have tried to explain the relationship between the creator and the created based on the emanation theory of Avicenna. The theory of emanation along with the divine knowledge has been proposed as the basis of “creation out of nothing” (creatio ex nihilo).

Keywords

References

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Journal of Ontological Researches
Volume 11, Issue 21
September 2022

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