Research Institute for Islamic Culture and Thought, Tehran, Iran , idadjoo@gmail.com
Abstract: (477 Views)
The history of physics can be divided into three major periods: the pre-Newtonian, Newtonian, and quantum eras. Each stage has carried its own philosophical implications. Pre-Newtonian physics was aligned with classical essentialism and realism, which shaped both ancient philosophy and Islamic philosophy. Newtonian physics, by contrast, fostered anti-essentialist and anti-realist tendencies, giving rise to many contemporary philosophical currents still dominant in Iran. The quantum era, however, has led to the emergence of “new essentialism” and “new realism,” perspectives that remain largely unfamiliar within the Iranian intellectual landscape.
Islamic philosophy, grounded in the essentialist and realist outlook of the pre-Newtonian age, was unable to advance alongside the Newtonian paradigm and became largely passive in the face of anti-essentialist and anti-realist philosophies. For Islamic philosophy to modernize and regain vitality, it must engage with new essentialism and new realism. By critically analyzing and reconstructing these approaches, Islamic philosophy can not only renew itself but also contribute to the reconstruction of general philosophy, epistemology, and the philosophy of science from a realist standpoint. In doing so, it may play a central role in advancing other sciences and in offering realist solutions to contemporary intellectual and social challenges.
Islamic philosophy, grounded in the essentialist and realist outlook of the pre-Newtonian age, was unable to advance alongside the Newtonian paradigm and became largely passive in the face of anti-essentialist and anti-realist philosophies. For Islamic philosophy to modernize and regain vitality, it must engage with new essentialism and new realism. By critically analyzing and reconstructing these approaches, Islamic philosophy can not only renew itself but also contribute to the reconstruction of general philosophy, epistemology, and the philosophy of science from a realist standpoint. In doing so, it may play a central role in advancing other sciences and in offering realist solutions to contemporary intellectual and social challenges.
Keywords: Pre-Newtonian, Newtonian, Quantum, Essentialism, Anti-essentialism, New Essentialism, Islamic Philosophy
Type of Study: Original Article |
Subject:
Philosophy
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