Eşref Altaş | Istanbul Medeniyet University (original) (raw)

Papers by Eşref Altaş

Nazariyat İslam Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences), Oct 15, 2015

This article examines Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s Al-Jawhar al-Fard, which analyses the concept of ato... more This article examines Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s Al-Jawhar al-Fard, which analyses the concept of atomism held by theologians. This article introduces its extant copies; establishes its name, date of writing, and chronology in relation to the author’s other works; proves al-Rāzī’s authorship; and, finally, edits the text. As the next step, the issues addressed by the text are identified; al-Rāzī’s critiques of the arguments in favor of and against atomism are discussed; the geometrical arguments, which hold an important place in the treatise, are examined, and his ideas on relations between geometry and atomism are reviewed. Al-Rāzī’s various attitudes towards atomism are presented in chronological order. The geometrical figures are drawn to provide a better understanding of the arguments of al-Rāzī. In the Appendix, all arguments are shown in tables.

Nazariyat İslâm Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2015

Bu makalede Fahreddin er-Râzî’nin atomculuğu konu edinen el-Cevherü’l-ferd isimli eseri incelendi... more Bu makalede Fahreddin er-Râzî’nin atomculuğu konu edinen el-Cevherü’l-ferd isimli eseri incelendi. Eserin mevcut nüshaları tanıtıldı, adı, yazım tarihi ve diğer eserlere nispetle kronolojisi belirlendi, Râzî’ye aidiyeti gös- terildi. Metnin işlediği konular belirlendi. Bu çerçevede atomculuğun lehindeki ve aleyhindeki deliller tartışıldı. Risalede önemli bir yer tutan geometrik deliller incelendi ve Râzî’nin atomculuk ve geometri arasındaki ilişkiler hakkındaki düşüncesi üzerinde duruldu. Râzî’nin atomculuk karşısındaki farklı tutumları kronolojik olarak göste- rildi. Nihayet risalenin metin tahkiki yapıldı. Risaledeki delillerin daha iyi anlaşılmasını sağlamak için şekiller ve geometrik şekiller çizildi. Ek bölümde, risaledeki tüm delillerin tablosu çıkarıldı.

Nazariyat Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences, 2014

This article examines Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s work entitled al-Hayūlā wa al-Sūrah, whose subject p... more This article examines Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s work entitled al-Hayūlā wa al-Sūrah, whose subject pertains to a critique of the opinion, held by peripatetic philosophers such as al-Fārābī, Ibn Sīnā, that the “body” is com- posed of matter and form. In this article, extant copies of the work are introduced; its name, date of writing, and chronology in relation to the author’s other works are established, the authorship of al-Rāzī is demonstrated, and finally the text is edited. As the next step, the issues addressed by the text are identified. In this context, al-Rāzī’s critiques on the definition and the reality of the body, and on the body as being composed of matter and form are discussed. In particular, those works of al-Rāzī’s that deal with these issues - namely, al-Mabāhith, al-Mulakhkhas, Jawābāt ‘an Shukūk al-Mas‘ūdī, Sharh al-Ishārāt, al-Hayūlā wa al-Sūrah, Lubāb al-Ishārāt, Sharh ‘Uyūn al-Hikma, and al-Matālib - are discussed from a chronological perspective, their contents regarding the issues at hand are com- pared, the development of proofs is shown, and tables demonstrating the change are presented. In the section where the content is discussed, although the importance of the subject with regard to philosophical thought and theological principles is touched upon, al-Rāzī’s thoughts on atomism have been particularly avoided. As we con- tinued through the process of identifying al-Rāzī’s ideas, we found that throughout his scholarly career, he criti- cized the notion of the body being composed of matter and form. We ascertained that instead of this definition, he saw the body as having an entity with a single reality and essence, holding that spatiality, volume, extension and the ability to be physically pointed at are all accidents that inhere in this essence and reality. We elaborated on al-Rāzī’s idea that the body can be defined by the enumeration of its accidental attributes in question.

Altaş, Eşref, “Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī’s Epistle on al-Hayūlā wa al-Sūrah: A Study and Editio Princeps”, Nazariyat Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences 1/1 (November 2014): 61-108.

Nazariyat İslam Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences), 2014

Bu makalede, Fahreddin er-Râzî’nin madde ve suretten bileşik cisim eleştirisini konu edinen el-He... more Bu makalede, Fahreddin er-Râzî’nin madde ve suretten bileşik cisim eleştirisini konu edinen el-Heyûlâ ve’s-sûre adlı eseri incelendi. Eserin mevcut nüshaları tanıtıldı; adı, yazım tarihi ve diğer eserlere nispetle krono- lojisi belirlendi, Râzî’ye aidiyeti gösterildi. Daha sonra metnin ele aldığı konular belirlendi. Bu çerçevede cismin tanımı, hakikati, heyûlâ ve suretten bileşik cisim düşüncesiyle ilgili Râzî’nin fikirleri tartışıldı. Özellikle Râzî’nin bu konuları ele alan el-Mebâhis, el-Mülahhas, Cevâbât ‘an Şükûki’l-Mes‘ûdî, Şerhu’l-İşârât, el-Heyûlâ ve’s-sûret, Lü- bâbü’l-İşârât, Şerhu Uyûni’l-hikme ve el-Metâlib adlı eserleri kronolojik olarak dikkate alındı, konuyla ilgili içerikler karşılaştırıldı, delillerin gelişimi gösterildi, değişimi gösteren tablolar hazırlandı. İçeriğin tartışıldığı kısımda konu- nun felsefî düşünce ve kelamî asıllar bakımından önemine değinildi ancak Râzî’nin atomculuğa dair düşüncesine özellikle temas edilmedi. Fikirlerinin tespiti çerçevesinde Râzî’nin, ilmî kariyerinin başından sonuna kadar mad- de-suretten bileşik cisim anlayışını eleştirdiği tespit edildi. Bunun yerine, onun, cismin kendinde tek bir hakikati ve zatı olduğunu kabul ettiği, mekânlı, hacimli, uzamlı ve işaret edilebilir olmak gibi arazların bu zat ve hakikate iliştiğini kabul ettiği belirlendi. Râzî’nin cismin, söz konusu arazî niteliklerinin sayılması suretiyle tanımlanabi- leceği şeklindeki fikri üzerinde duruldu. Nihayet risalenin metin tahkiki yapıldı ve eser, Türkçeye tercüme edildi.

Nazariyat İslam Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences), 2021

This article examines al-Rāzī’s views on the possibility of metaphysical knowledge. Firstly, afte... more This article examines al-Rāzī’s views on the possibility of metaphysical knowledge. Firstly, after outlining his classification of the metaphysical knowable into essence and existence as well as undetailed (ijmālī) and detailed (tafṣīlī), the article analyzes al-Rāzī’s acceptance of the possibility of general knowledge of metaphysics under a few headings by delving into some major themes. These include the claims that the category of existence is broader than the world of the sensible, that theoretical reasoning leads to metaphysical knowledge, and lastly that the theoretical evidence provides necessary knowledge about the existence of a creator. Al-Rāzī has also been demonstrated in al-Matālib to have inherited the arguments rejecting metaphysical knowledge, which he had attributed in his earlier works to a group with the name muhandisiyyūn, by restricting them to the issue of God’s essence being knowable. For al-Rāzī, theoretical reasoning could provide knowledge about the existen...

Nazariyat İslam Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences), 2021, Oct 15, 2021

Bu makalede Râzî’nin metafizik bilginin imkânı hakkındaki görüşleri incelendi. Öncelikle Râzî’nin... more Bu makalede Râzî’nin metafizik bilginin imkânı hakkındaki görüşleri incelendi. Öncelikle Râzî’nin metafizik bilinenleri, zat ve varlık, genel (icmâlî) ve ayrıntılı (tafsîlî) bilinenler şeklinde bölümlemesi betimlendi. Râzî’nin genel metafizik bilgiyi mümkün gördüğü birkaç başlık altında incelendi. Bu başlıklar altında varlık kümesinin duyulur âlemden daha geniş olduğu, teorik düşüncenin metafizik bilgi verdiği, nazarî delillerin bir yaratıcının varlığı hakkında zorunlu bilgi verdiği iddiaları ele alındı. Râzî’nin, erken dönemde yazdığı eserlerde mühendisiyyûn dediği bir gruba atfettiği meta- fizik bilginin inkârının delillerini, el-Metâlib’de ancak Tanrı’nın zatının bilinmesi konusuna hasrederek tevarüs ettiği gösterildi. Nazarın Râzî’ye göre özel metafizik bir mevcudun varlığı hakkında bilgi verdiği ama mahiyeti hakkında bilgi vermeyeceği anlatıldı. Tanrı’nın zatının bilinemeyeceği görüşünün metafizik ve epistemolojik tezlerine dikkat çekildi ve bu görüşün semantik yorumu tartışıldı.

This article examines al-Rāzī’s views on the possibility of metaphysical knowledge. Firstly, after outlining his classification of the metaphysical knowable into essence and existence as well as undetailed (ijmālī) and detailed (tafsīlī), the article analyzes al-Rāzī’s acceptance of the possibility of general knowledge of metaphysics under a few headings by delving into some major themes. These include the claims that the category of existence is broader than the world of the sensible, that theoretical reasoning leads to metaphysical knowledge, and lastly that the theoretical evidence provides necessary knowledge about the existence of a creator. Al-Rāzī has also been demonstrated in al-Matālib to have inherited the arguments rejecting metaphysical knowledge, which he had attributed in his earlier works to a group with the name
muhandisiyyūn, by restricting them to the issue of God’s essence being knowable. For al-Rāzī, theoretical reasoning could provide knowledge about the existence of a particular metaphysical being but not about its quiddity. The article further underlines the metaphysical and epistemic theses for the position on the unknowability of God’s essence and discusses its semantic interpretation. The debate on the potential of theoretical reason to provide uncertain knowledge of detailed metaphysics in the form of the best possible explanations (the metaphysics of the best explanation, or al-awlawiyya), however, is left to another article.

Nazariyat İslam Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences), 2020

This research introduces a copy of al-Rāzī’s work al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya that contains epistemology... more This research introduces a copy of al-Rāzī’s work al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya that contains epistemology, logic, and ontology sections and an index and was not known until today (Süleymaniye Library, Ms Fatih 3145). Thus, the research correct two fundamental noted mistakes about the name and scope of al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya that had resulted from al-Saqqā’s edition and aims to prove that al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya is an encyclopedic work containing sections on logic, ontology, physics, and theology.

Keywords: Kalam, Islamic philosophy, Fakhr al-dīn al- Rāzī, al-Maṭālib al-ʻāliya, Kalam and philosophy literature.

Nazariyat İslam Felsefe ve Bilim Tarihi Araştırmaları Dergisi (Journal for the History of Islamic Philosophy and Sciences), 2020

Bu araştırma notu, Râzî’nin el-Metâlibü’l-âliye adlı eserinin, epistemoloji, mantık ve ontoloji k... more Bu araştırma notu, Râzî’nin el-Metâlibü’l-âliye adlı eserinin, epistemoloji, mantık ve ontoloji kısımlarını içeren ve şimdiye kadar kullanılmayan bir nüshasını ve bu nüshanın içeriğini tanıtmaktadır (Süleymaniye Kütüphanesi, Fatih 3145). Bununla yazı, Sekkâ neşrinin sebep olduğu el-Metâlibü’l-âliye’nin adı ve kapsamıyla ilgili iki temel yanlışı düzeltmekte ve el-Metâlibü’l-âliye’nin mantık, ontoloji, fizik ve teoloji kısımlarını içeren kuşatıcı bir ansiklopedik eser olduğunu göstermeyi amaçlamaktadır.

Altaş, Eşref. “el-Metâlibü’l-âliye’nin Kayıp Ciltlerinin Peşinde”, Nazariyat 6/2
(Ekim 2020): 163-176.

Nazariyat, 2022

This article focuses on the classical debates around the major premise of Avicenna’s argument for... more This article focuses on the classical debates around the major premise of Avicenna’s argument for God’s existence, namely that one of the two sides of the contingent preponderates over the other through a preponderating cause. In the article, I first discuss the principle of sufficient reason and the definition of contingency from Avicenna’s perspective and then the issue of ontological preponderance (tarajjuh, rujhān) from the perspectives of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī and Shams al-Dīn al-Samarqandī. Here I will explore whether or not preponderance can remain within the limit of contingency. Afterwards, I introduce Rāzī’s novel concept of ontological suitability (awlawiyya), discuss the different types of ontological suitability, and examine whether the contingent is suitable for existence or nonexistence by virtue of its essence. I also discuss whether ontological suitability for existence and nonexistence can be viewed as modalities of existence alongside necessity, contingency, and impossibility. I then introduce in the following section Samarqandī’s survey of the alternative positions on ontological suitability and present his appraisal of these positions. I show that, according to Samarqandī, flowing contingents are essentially suitable for nonexistence, some contingents are suitable for nonexistence because they occur with fewer conditions, and others are suitable for existence because they occur more frequently. In the final section, I discuss the implications of Samarqandī’s views for contingency, causality, and the principles of non-contradiction and excluded middle.

Nazariyat, 2022

Bu makale İbn Sînâ’nın Tanrı’nın varlığına dair delilinin “mümkünün iki ucundan biri ötekine bir ... more Bu makale İbn Sînâ’nın Tanrı’nın varlığına dair delilinin “mümkünün iki ucundan biri ötekine bir sebeple baskın gelir” şeklindeki büyük öncülü etrafında klasik dönemde yürütülen tartışmalara odaklanmaktadır. Makalede öncelikle İbn Sînâ’nın yaklaşımıyla yeter sebep ilkesi ve imkânın tanımı ardından Fahreddin er-Râzî ve Şemsüddin es-Semerkandî’nin yaklaşımıyla ontolojik baskınlık (et-teraccuh, er-ruchân) meselesi ele alındı. Bu bağlamda baskınlığın imkân sınırında kalıp kalamayacağı tartışıldı. Ardından Râzî’nin yeni bir mesele haline getirdiği “ontolojik evleviyet” kavramı tanıtıldı ve evleviyet tipleri ayrıştırıldı. Mümkünün bir sebebe ihtiyaç duymaksızın, zatı gereği varlığa veya yokluğa evlâ olup olmadığı incelendi. Zorunlu, imkân ve imkânsızlık dışında, varlığa evleviyet ve yokluğa evleviyet modalitelerinin düşünülüp düşünülemeyeceği tartışıldı. Sonraki kısımda ise Semerkandî’nin ontolojik evleviyetle ilgili belirlediği pozisyonlar tanıtıldı ve onun bu pozisyonlara ilişkin değerlendirmeleri incelendi. Semerkandî’nin seyyal mümkünlerin bizatihi yokluğa evlâ olduğu, bazı mümkünlerin ise daha az şarta bağlı olarak kolay gerçekleştiği için yokluğa evlâ olduğu, bazı mümkünlerin ise daha sık gerçekleştikleri için varlığa evlâ olduğu görüşünü savunduğu tespit edildi. Son bölümde ise Semerkandî’nin tercihlerinin imkân, sebeplilik, çelişmezlik ve üçüncü halin imkânsızlığı ilkeleri çerçevesinde ne anlama geldiği tartışıldı.

1183-1206, 2022

FUTURE CONTINGENT PROPOSITIONS AND FREE WILL: AL-RÂZÎ’S CRITICISM ON ARISTOTLE’S SOLUTION OF THE ... more FUTURE CONTINGENT PROPOSITIONS AND FREE WILL: AL-RÂZÎ’S CRITICISM ON ARISTOTLE’S SOLUTION OF THE
LOGICAL FATALISM

ABSTRACT
According to Aristotle, both the principle of non-contradic- tion can be preserved and free will can be defended in the case of future propositions. Al- Râzî thinks that Aristotle could not prove his claim. Because, the indeterminacy of the future is an epistemological indeter- minacy and that is not valid
in the ontological field. While defending logical fatalism, Al-Râzî has three arguments against Aristotle: According to the first argument, since truth and falsity are real qualities, their future carriers are also real. According to the second argument, free will is related to possible actions. Everything in the past and present has hap- pened by necessity. The future are determined by the principle of both non-contradiction
and the law of the excluded middle. According to the third argument, when the reference point is now, the future has not happened; and when the refer- ence point is the future, what happens necessarily happens because the future turns into the present. As a result, since there is no possibility in past, present and future, there is no field of possibility in which free will is involved. All future singulars; they are determined in such a way that it is impos- sible for any excess, deficiency or change to occur in them.

Keywords: Fakhr al-Din al-Râzî, Aristoteles, logical fatalism, free will, sea-battle, contingent propositions.

İslam Araştırmaları Dergisi, Sep 1, 2013

Is It Possible to Present Evidence for the Self-Evidence of Existence? A Discussion from the Muta... more Is It Possible to Present Evidence for the Self-Evidence of Existence? A Discussion from the Mutaakhkhirīn Period

In order to negate the regressus ad infinitum (tasalsul), Islamic philosophy consid- ered that the concept of existence is a self-evident one. Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā) argued that the concept of existence is self-evident and requires no proof or explanation but it might be given literal definitions for the stimulation of mind. Fakhr al-Dīn al- Rāzī, on the other hand, suggested three arguments as a proof for the self-evidence of existence. These arguments have been criticized by later philosophers based on Avicennan view; these philosophers have stated that these arguments fall far short of proving the issue. This article aims to offer an overview of the debates on the self evidence of existence and its possible proofs, from the Avicennan period to that of later philosophers, and also discuss the arguments of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī with reference to relevant texts.

Key words: Existence, self-evidence (badāha), Avicenna (Ibn Sīnā), Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, mutaakhkhirīn, Islamic philosophy, Islamic theology (kalām).

İstanbul Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi, 2014

Fī Zuhūr al-Falsafa: The Opinions on The Origin of Philosophy in The Classical Age of Islam and ... more Fī Zuhūr al-Falsafa: The Opinions on The Origin of Philosophy in The Classical Age of Islam and The Niche of Prophecy

This article examines the ideas on the origin of philosophy in the classical period of Islam and focuses on five main claims in this context. According to the first opinion; philosophy and sciences are cumulative and all ancient nations have contributed to the development of philosophy. According to the second opinion, ancient philosophy was a product of Greece, but proponents of this theory have different opinions about which the philosopher, Thales or Pisagor, launched the philosophy. The third theory argues that the philosophy and sciences emerged in the hands of the Persians and Chaldeans in Babylon. According to fourth theory, philosophy was a product of Indians, but this theory has been accepted by a very little group. The proponents of the nich of prophecy argue that philosophy issues from the niche of prophecy and the divine origin. Prophets such as Idris, Seth, David and Adam are the messengers and representatives of the nich of prophecy in history.
Keywords: Islamic philosophy, the origin of philosophy, the nich of prophecy, Idris, (Hermes), Seth (Agathodaimon), Luqman.

ÖZET
Bu makalede Islâm’ın klasik döneminde felsefenin kökeni hakkında ileri sürülen görüşler incelenmiş ve bu çerçevede bes temel iddia uzerinde durulmuştur. Bunlardan birincisine göre felsefe ve bilimler birikimseldir ve bütün kadim medeniyetler ilimlerin gelişimine katkida bulunmuşlardır. İkinci teoriye göre felsefe Yunanlıların bir ürünüdür, ancak bu teoriyi savunanlar hangi Yunan filozofla felsefenin başladığı konusunda farklı görüştedirler. Üçüncü teori felsefe ve bilimlerin Babil’de Farslıların ve Keldânilerin elinde ortaya çıktığını savunmaktadır. Dördüncü teoriye göre felsefe Hintlilerin bir ürünüdür, fakat bu teori kucuk bir grup tarafından kabul edilmiştir. Makalenin büyük bölümünde üzerinde durulan mişkâtü’n-nübüvve görüşünde olanlar ise felsefe ve bilimlerin ilahi kökenli oldugunu ileri sürmektedir. Buna göre İdris, Şit, Dâvud, Lokmân ve Âdem gibi peygamberler bu ilahi kökenin tarihsel boyuttaki habercileri ve temsilcileridir.

Marmara Üniversitesi İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi, Mar 5, 2009

The thought of Avicenna was explanted and criticized by both Islamic philosophers and Muslim th... more The thought of Avicenna was explanted and criticized by both Islamic philosophers and Muslim theologians. Fakhr al-Din el-Razi was one of the forerunners of the theologians who comment and criticized thought of İbn Sina. This article examines the method of critique of Razi and includes how he presented this method in his own books. This article also dwells on semantic organization of the concepts related to Razi's method.

Key Words: Avicenna, Fakhr al-Din al-Razi, Islamic philosophy, philosophical theology.

Eşref Altaş, İbn Sina Felsefesi ve Eş'ariyye Kelamı Arasında Fahreddin er-Razi'nin Yöntemi, M. Ü. İlahiyat Fakültesi Dergisi 36 (2009/1), 135-150

İbn Sina felsefesi hem filozoflar hem de kelamcılar tarafından yorumlanmış ve eleştirilmiştir. Fahreddin er-Razi, İbn Sina felsefesini şerh eden ve eleştiren kelamcıların önde gelenlerinden biridir. Bu makalede Razi'nin eleştiri yöntemi ele alınmış, bu yöntemin onun eserlerindeki takdimine yer verilmiş ve yönteme ilişkin Razi'nin kullandığı kavramların semantik organizasyonu üzerinde durulmuştur.
Anahtar Kelimeler: İbnSina, Fahreddin er-Razı, İslamfelsefesi, felsefi kelam, yöntem.

EKEV Akademi Dergisi, 2009

Three Principles of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī in the Context of the Rejection of Ibn Sina's Metaphysic... more Three Principles of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī in the Context of the Rejection of Ibn Sina's Metaphysics

The thought of Ibn Sīnā was explanted and criticized by both Islamic philosophers and Muslim theologians. Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī was one of the forerunners of the theologians who comment and criticized thought of Ibn Sīnā. al-Rāzī examines carefully the essence-existence distinction in necessary being, attributes and actions of God as the main topics of his theology. This article considers how lbn Sīnā treated those tree issues and explains the critiques of Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī. This article also dwells on the effects of lbn Sīnā on the fixing of these topics as the main problems of al-Rāzī's theology and the solutions that they were suggested by al-Rāzī refusing the metaphysics of Ibn Sīnā.

Key Words: lbn Sīnā, Fakhr al-Dīn al-Rāzī, existence, essence, attributes of God, past eternity, temporal creation, emanation.

Diyanet İlmi Dergi, Mar 1, 2014

Avicenna’s Thought on Motion in the Category of Position and History of the Concept of Positional... more Avicenna’s Thought on Motion in the Category of Position and History of the Concept of Positional Motion:

Aristotle claims that the place is an inner most limit of a containing body and the universal is finite beyond that there is nothing and there is nothing outside of the heavens which could contain the mand the motion is actualized in categories of the quality, quantity and place. His accounts caused various problems related to definition of place, and the movement and the positions of the heavens. This problem can be expressed whether the sphere of the fixed stars is moving and where are they moving? This problem was discussed for a long time by the Peripatetic and Neo-Platonic commentators. During the Islamic period al-Kindi, al-Farabi and Ibn Adiy offered different solutions. Avicenna suggested to solve this problem by accepting the motion can be actual- ized in the category of position. After Avicenna, Averroes criticized his idea and Shirazî added a new dimension to the debate by proposing a new definition of place. This article analyses the adventure of the category of position in the context of the movement of the outer most celestial sphere from ancient Greek on wards, and also aims to explore the solutions which were raised particularly during Islamic period.

Key Words: Avicenna, Averroes, Shirâzî, Position, Motion, Place, Sphere, Fixedstars.

Tahkik İslami İlimler Araştırma ve Neşir Dergisi, May 31, 2022

Critical Edition and Analysis of Mulla Lutfı̄'s al-Sab‘ al-shidād The main subject of this art... more Critical Edition and Analysis of Mulla Lutfı̄'s al-Sab‘ al-shidād

The main subject of this article is the Ottoman scholar Mulla Lutfı̄'s work al-Sab‘ al-shidād, which means “seven firm questions.” In the article, we showed that the work was a product of a series of discussions held in the presence of the sultan in the Ottoman Empire. We determined the name and the date of the work, and the cause for writing. For the first time we detected that there were two different versions of the treatise. We compared these two different versions in this work. We discussed the content of the treatise and listed the issues that Mulla Lutfı̄ discussed in it. In this context we determined that the treatise initially consisted of objec- tions to the view of Jurjānı̄ on the subject of sciences. We showed that Mulla Lutfı̄'s objections against Jurjānı̄ are mainly related to the subject of sciences. In this context, we mainly discussed subjects concerning the philosophy of science such as the subject of sciences, and the distinction of subjects. We analyzed objections about the subjects of sciences such as philosophy, kalam, cal-culus, and arithmetic. We focused on the meaning of the true, nominal, and conditional unity of the subject of sciences. We discussed whether the conditions applied to subjects are included in the subject. We pointed out whether the common issues in the sciences could be differentiated by the type of evidence and if it is accepted that this is possible, whether this breaks the rule of ‘Sciences differ from each other by the distinction of their subjects’ within the framework of Mulla Lutfı̄'s views. Finally, we identified the copies of both A and B versions and conducted a critical edition of the both versions.

Keywords: Mulla Lutfı̄, Jurjānı̄, al-Sab‘ al-shidād, Ottoman thought, subject of sciences.

İslam Tetkikleri Dergisi / Journal of Islamic Review, Mar 28, 2023

A Discussion on the Subject of the Sciences: An Examination and Critical Edition of Mullā Izārı̄... more A Discussion on the Subject of the Sciences: An Examination and Critical Edition of Mullā Izārı̄’s (d. 901/1496) Treatise al-Ajwiba ‘alā I‘tirāḍāt al-Sab' al-Shidād

The object of this article is to examine and provide a critical edition of the work al-Ajwiba 'alā i'tirāḍāt al-Sab' al-shidād, written by Ottoman scholarMullā Izārī. This work by Mullā Izārī is a rebuttal of Mullā Lutfı̄’s work, al-Sab' al-shidād. Both of these authors had held a discussion in the presence of the Ottoman Sultan Bayezid II. Mullā Lutfı̄ by royal command wrote the issues discussed in their debate as a treatise, after which Mullā Izārī as well wrote his work by royal command. Based on this background, I first present Mullā Izārī, followed by the name and date of the work and the reason it had been written. I discuss the contents of the treatise and specify the questions that comprised the basis for Mullā Izārī answers, as well as his answers to these questions. I determined that this treatise was written as an objection to Mullā Lutfı̄'s objection against Jurjānı̄. I show that the main point of debate between Mullā Lutfı̄and Mullā Izārī was the issue of the subjects of sciences. Within this framework, I elaborate on the meaning of distinction among sciences related to metaphysics, such as philosophy, common things, theology, and prote philosophia. I discuss the issues pertaining to the philosophy of sciences, such as the subjects of these aforementioned sciences and their distinctions, and analyze the objections raised about the subjects of sciences such as philosophy, kalām, calculations (al-ḥisāb), and arithmetic (al-‘adad), as well as the answers given to these objections. As an interesting problem, I discuss whether the type of proof could differentiate the common issues in the sciences. Throughout the article, I address the differences between how Mullā Lutfı̄ and Mullā Izārī approached the same issues. I especially attempt to show the background of Mullā Izārī's comments underestimating Mullā Lutfı̄. Lastly, I edit the text critically and show all the classical resources cited in the text one by one.

Keywords: Mullā Izārī, Mullā Lutfī, al-Sab' al-Shidād, Ottoman Thought, Subject of Sciences

İslam Tetkikleri Dergisi / Journal of Islamic Review, 2022

Increasing the Number of Sciences: Logical Foundations of the Classification of the Sciences and ... more Increasing the Number of Sciences: Logical Foundations of the Classification of the Sciences and the Separation of the Sciences

This paper focuses on the apodictic foundations of the classical sciences’ classification. First of all, within this framework, the educational basis of the classification of sciences is revealed by drawing attention to the difficulty in learning arising from the impossibility of encompassing the entirety of existence within a single science. Then, the ontological and epistemological foundations of the classification are pointed out and the division of sciences in the most general sense is given. Particularly from Ibn Sînâ’s perspective, the rationale and criteria for qualifying sciences as being “before” and “after,” superior and inferior, up and down are emphasized. The apodictic background of the distinctions in the form of whole–partial sciences, primary-secondary sciences, universal-particular sciences, which all emerged depending on the generality-specificity relationship between the subjects and issues of sciences, is revealed. Problems related to the classification and hierarchy of science, such as how sciences differ from each other in terms of their subjects, whether it is possible to separate sciences from their methods, and whether it is possible to have two different sciences dealing with the same subject, are discussed. The demonstrative basis of how the subjects of the sciences are reproduced with genus, species, class, and the records added to them is emphasized, and the meaning of the thematic unity of the sciences conceptualized as being legal and genuine are examined. The paper also discusses whether the division of sciences is a rational, nominal, and inductive, drawing attention to the possibility of increasing the number of sciences, and it concludes that there is no necessity for a limitation on the subjects of the sciences.

Keywords: Ibn Sînâ, classification of sciences, subjects of sciences, primary and secondary sciences, universal and particular sciences

Kutadgubilig: Felsefe Bilim Araştırmaları Dergisi, 2007

Reformist Thought in the Works of Katip Çelebi (Ḥājjī Khalīfa) Ḥājjī Khalīfa has written a num... more Reformist Thought in the Works of Katip Çelebi (Ḥājjī Khalīfa)

Ḥājjī Khalīfa has written a number of books to determine political, social and moral corruption which arose in the Ottoman Empire and to propose reform measures for the solution of those problems. This study is trying to discuss that from which data Ḥājjī Khalīfa had reached to the conclusions about corruption, how he understood the corruption, and above all, what sort of proposals he offered for the correction of that corruption, with reference to his works.

Keywords: Ḥājjī Khalīfa, Dustûr al-amal, Mîzân al-haqq. Reform, Ottoman Empire, Qanûn-i qadim.