Daqīq Al-Kalām

Daqīq al-kalām brings about wider scope for search in important issues of natural philosophy. These issues are in close connection to the current problems of physics. We just have seen how this can be achieved through some examples of fundamental importance treated in chapters of part III of this book. These examples teach us how powerful are the principles of daqīq al-kalām in providing solutions for those fundamental problems. We have seen the example of utilizing the principle of re-creation in offering a solution for the problem of measurement in quantum mechanics in chapter one of part III, how the same principle along with kalām atomism and their description of discrete motion can provide a solution for the description of quantum particle trajectory in the double slit experiment. We have seen how the principle of contingency and indeterminism can provide a deeper understanding of the anthropic principle through presenting the interplay between fine tuning and the blind laws of nature, and in chapter six of part III of the book I have glimpsed on using the principle of contingency and indeterminism to seek a possible explanation for the mechanism of biological evolution and the evolution of the world in general.

History

Historically, one can say that there are two basic motivations for the emergence of kalām, the first was internal; different opinions expressed by Muslim theologians in respect to the fate of the sinner initiated an argument that proceeded to develop into a whole tradition of thought. For example some theologians suggested that a Muslim sinner is a non-believer and should be considered kāfer (one who negates Islamic belief). Other theologians suggested that he should be considered only ‘corrupt’ (fāsiq), a technical middle position which lay between the status of kāfer and believer. The second reason for kalām's emergence the reaction of Muslims to new ideas and thoughts they faced when they came into contact with new nations and civilizations, particularly the classical Mediterranean and Indic. This contact, at a time when Muslims were the dominating power in the world, created a ‘dialogue between civilizations’ rather than a ‘clash of civilizations’.

Altaie has designated five basic principles of Daqiq al-Kalam. These constitute almost a consensus among the Mutakallimun. These principles are:

The Principles of Daqīq al-Kalām: will contain an overview of the history of kalām, the methodology of kalām, the five principles (atomism, temporality, re-creation, indeterminism, and spacetime integrity) will be explained in some details. Applications in some areas of physics and biology will be discussed on the conceptual level.
Concepts of modern physics for non-physicists: due to the need for acquaintance with the basic concepts of modern physics, researchers in kalām need to get the basics of modern physics which includes the theory of relativity and quantum physics. Basic concepts involved in these two theories will be explained in a simplified way maintaining the scientific accuracy. No mathematical derivations will be included in this course. Philosophical implications of Relativity theory and Quantum Physics will be discussed.

Principles

Altaie has designated five basic principles of Daqiq al-Kalam. These constitute almost a consensus among the Mutakallimun. These principles are:

The Principles of Daqīq al-Kalām: will contain an overview of the history of kalām, the methodology of kalām, the five principles (atomism, temporality, re-creation, indeterminism, and spacetime integrity) will be explained in some details. Applications in some areas of physics and biology will be discussed on the conceptual level.

Concepts of modern physics for non-physicists: due to the need for acquaintance with the basic concepts of modern physics, researchers in kalām need to get the basics of modern physics which includes the theory of relativity and quantum physics. Basic concepts involved in these two theories will be explained in a simplified way maintaining the scientific accuracy. No mathematical derivations will be included in this course. Philosophical implications of Relativity theory and Quantum Physics will be discussed.