Theological Instructions

LESSON FOURTEEN: THE MATERIALISTIC WORLD VIEW AND ITS CRITICISM

The principles of the materialist worldview

In order to define the materialist worldview the following principles can be applied:

  1. Existence is equivalent to matter and materiality. An existent is either matter, having three dimensions (length, width, and thickness) or volume, or it is counted as having the properties of matter. Naturally matter has the capability of being quantitative and divisible. Hence on this very principle the existence of God as being immaterial and supernatural is denied.

  2. Matter has no beginning or end, resulting in it being uncreated and without any need for cause. According to our philosophical terminology it is the necessary existence.

  3. The universe cannot be considered as having a final cause and purpose, because the active agent (fā’il) does not seem to have any intelligence and will for being identified as having a purpose.

  4. Phenomena in the universe (not matter itself) come into existence as an effect of the shifting of material particles, which influence each other.

From this standpoint one can recognise the former things as a type of condition and as a preparatory cause (‘illah i’dādiyyah) for the subsequent phenomenon or at-most it can be considered as natural activity among materials. For example, a tree can be known as a natural agent for the fruit that it bears, or the phenomena of chemistry and physics can be considered as the agent. However, none of the phenomena require a divine agent that bestows existence.

  1. The fifth principle can also be added to the above and is related to theology. However from a certain aspect it precedes the other principles and is the only authentic cognition. It is the principle, which comes forth from sense experience. As the experience of the senses only confirms matter and materials, it will thus not accept any other existence.

Nevertheless we have mentioned in the previous lesson the defects of this principle and it is not required from us to criticise this principle over again, therefore we will analyse the remaining principles of materialist worldview:

a. Investigating the first principle

This principle is the most fundamental principle in the materialist worldview, however its proclamations are nothing but absurd. It has failed to establish any argument for denying metaphysics, particularly on the basis of materialist epistemology, which is founded upon the principles of sense and experience. It is clear that no sense experience, which itself is matter, would be able to articulate in the domain of metaphysics and either deny or establish anything. The utmost thing stated in the logic of empiricism is, that existence beyond the physical realm cannot be established on its basis. It should therefore at least accept the possibility of the existence of this realm. We have indicated earlier that it is possible for man to perceive various immaterial phenomena, which do not have the peculiarities of matter, such as spirit through the immediate knowledge (‘ilm hudūri). Furthermore

several intellectual arguments have been established for proving the existence of the immaterial realm in the books of philosophy. The best attestations for the existence of the immaterial spirit are the true dreams, several practices of the yogis, and also the miracles of the prophets (a) and saints.

In any case the arguments mentioned in lesson seven and eight are sufficient enough for proving the existence and non-corporeality of God the Supreme.

b. Investigating the second principle

The second principle emphasises upon matter having no beginning or end and thus being uncreated.

Firstly, matter having no beginning or end cannot be scientifically or experimentally established. This is because the experimental dimensions are limited and no experiment can prove the infinity of the universe from the point of view of time and space.

Secondly, the assumption that matter has no end does not necessitate it having no creator. The assumption of a spatial movement requires the supposition of everlasting force from the moving agent, rather than not needing an impetus for the moving agent.

In addition, matter uncreated implies that it is a necessary existent and we have already established in lesson eight that it is impossible for matter to be a necessary existent.

c. Investigating the third principle

This principle denies that the universe is purposeful. This will naturally result in the denial of the existence of the Creator and consequently once the existence of God the Wise is proven this principle will be nullified. In addition to this, one might question as to how it is possible for an intelligent individual, after witnessing the astonishing order and harmonisation of the universe and the benefits that emanate forth from it, could fail to realise that the universe is purposeful.

d. Investigating the fourth principle

This principle of the materialist worldview recognises causation as being limited to the material realm and material phenomenon. This view has been severely criticised, the most important points are as follows:

  1. According to this rule a new (immaterial) existent could never come into existence.

However we witness the commencement of subsequent existents, especially in the realm of the human being and animals. The most significant of them are life, intelligence, intellectuality, emotions and will etc.

The materialists assert that these phenomena are also nothing more than the special characteristics and properties of matter.

In order to answer their claim one must say that, firstly the peculiaritythat cannot be separated from the matter and from those things belonging to matter is it that it accepts division and it has a magnitude. These peculiarities are not present in the phenomena mentioned.

  1. Secondly, the phenomena, which are said to be the special properties of matter, also exist in lifeless matter. In other words matter was lacking these special characteristics and subsequently they appeared. Therefore the appearance of these existents, which are known as special properties, require an originator who has initiated this into the matter. This originator itself is the cause that bestows existence or is the creating cause.

3.Another serious criticism for their claim is based on their principle, that all phenomena in the universe must be pre-determined (jabr), because by effecting and becoming effected in matter there is no place for choice and free-will (ikhtiyār).

Opposing free-will in addition to it being against self-evidence (badāhah) and commonsense, necessitates it denying any type of responsibility and value for spirituality and ethics. By denying responsibility and any ethical value system, the results for human life are surely clear.

4.Finally with the understanding, that matter cannot be the necessary existence, as already established, one must consider that it (matter) has a cause, which cannot be classified as a preparatory or natural cause. This is because this type of relationship and correlation can only be imagined between the materials with each other. However not all types of matter can have this type of relationship with its cause. Thus the cause that brought matter into existence is the cause beyond the physical realm, and is the creating cause.

Questions:

1- Explain the principles of the materialist worldview.

2- Define matter and material (corporeal).

3- Criticise the first principle of the materialist worldview.

4- Criticise the second principle.

5- Criticise the third principle.

6- Explain the problems of the fourth principle.