In The Name Of God The Explanation of Free Will in Kant and Mulla Sadra s Metaphysics Dr. Reza Mahoozi Assistant Professor of Philosophy in Institute for Social and Cultural Studies
Abstract The major problem in Kant s approach about free will is the separation between Phenomenon (determinate) from Neumenon (indeterminate) sphere. It seems that the main mistake with this approach is forgetting metaphysical ontology and study human in minimal approach. In this paper, after short speech about some defects of Kant's theory, I want to exhibit an ontological justify of free will on Mulla Sadra s metaphysical approach. Moreover, I want to show this justification is compatible with mechanical and teleological cause of the world and knowledge of the God.
Free Will in Kant Philosophy 1. In Kant Philosophy free will has separate sphere from nature (mechanical and Newtonian nature). 2. It is certain that the free will cannot set freedom in the necessity and determines of this area. If this area would be undeniable and eliminable, it is necessary that we have a separate area for the free will. 3. This area is Noumenon and has special principle, too. 4. So in human beings we have two separate lands; Determined Land (Knowledge by Understanding) and Undetermined Land (Practice by Reason).
Some Questions: 1. Is there any relations between Reason (Will) and Understanding (Knowledge) when It is impossible for free will to get something from Understanding in order to better act or give something to Understanding in order to better knowledge of the nature? 2. Is the separation between Act and Knowledge is Real when human has a unique mind? 3. why indeed the free will should turn a blind eye on its knowledge of experimental nature?
Preliminary answer: In Kant s theory, free will artificially has been deprived of a significant part of mental activities. We have Unique Mind. This mind consists a number of positions on the subject which makes it all the more engaging: it both recognizes and acts; it reaches both to the pleasure of aesthetics and tries to be a citizen and to reach to the sanctity (highest good).
Free Will in Mulla Sadra Philosophy Who is Sadra? Mulla Sadra is one of the well known philosophers of the 17 th century in Iran. Mulla Sadra s innovative account of Unity of Being, Hierarchy of being, and Movement of Substance is among the most provocative elements of philosophical thought in the Islamic world. A very important philosophical revolution it is so that almost all of the later Iranian philosophers are under the impact of his philosophy, which is universally known as Transcendental philosophy.
Sadra s Idea about free will 1. Mental abilities are connected and unified with the epistemological principles. By this, human mind consists of the unity of power of Sense and Sensibility, imagination and Imagery, and Reason and Intelligible forms. 2. By this unify and progress of mind, human will can be more complete and enjoy a superior existence. 3. So, we are not here dealing with two distinct areas of knowledge and act (free will) in human being. It is able to act freely, to think, and to be the ally of its thoughts.
An important point in Sadra s view in Kant s theory, our image of nature is mechanical and not teleological. So, in this theory, free will for his freedom has only teleological function. In Sadra s view, this nature has mechanical and teleological function. So, not only this nature help free will to give his end, but free will s end is the end of this nature too. As the free will, nature holds consciousness and knowledge and therefore moves to the same exalted goal.
conclusion Kant s theory which is essentially based on modern humanism in order to establish a new philosophy leads him to sacrifice a significant part of free will. Contrary to Kant, there is no boundary between Neumen and Phenomen in the philosophy of Mulla Sadra. Thus human is able to utilize his epistemological achievements and ethical free will. The benefits of these two areas does not result in transferring the principles of one area to the other. There is no distinction between the areas, but, according to the Sadraen view, they are unified with each other, raising each other to a higher level and causing each other to make a profit.
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