Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 Graduated PhD of Philosophy, Allameh Tabtaba`i University. Iran.
2 Associated Professor of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Payam-e-noor University, Theran, Iran.
Abstract
In the Book of Causes, which is one of the central documents of the Neoplatonists, the possibility of knowing and speaking about the First Cause is discussed in chapters five and twenty-one. The question is what is the language of religion in the Book of Causes and how is the issue of Ineffability and knowability of the First Cause explained? In this article, we have reached the following findings using a descriptive-analytical method: in the Book of Causes, there is specific speak of deductive and negative theology, and the negative theology presented therein is both in the sense of negation and silence and in the sense of comparative negative theology; but the second meaning is more dominant, and in addition, positive theology is presented in the sense of “metaphorical analogy” to describe and express the First Cause. But positive theology also has a negative meaning in the sense of comparative; consequently, both the negative and positive paths lead to the negative comparative path. In terms of knowability, from the aspect of the First Cause, in terms of essence and “what He is,” He is unknowable by reason or any other means; But from the perspective of the first creature, which is Intelligence, knowledge of the First Cause is possible to the extent of intelligence; as a result, God or the First Cause is effable and also knowable; but knowledge of it is not "Prior" (Limi), but rather immediate through creatures.
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