Ibn Sīnā’s Negation of Apophatic Theology: Bringing an End to Debates

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Letters and Humanities, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Ahl al-Bayt Studies, Faculty of Theology and Ahl-al-Bayt Studies, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

10.22091/jptr.2025.11666.3189

Abstract

Although apophatic theology attracted considerable scholarly attention,. studies remain flawed both in terms of research methodology and fragmented analysis and neglecting in-depth examination of prominent philosophers. This study addresses this gap by exploring the perspective of Ibn Sīnā, a pivotal figure in Islamic philosophy. Exploring existential, cognitive, and linguistic dimensions of his writings, the study elucidates his approach to theology. This study argues that his theological framework remains integrative and harmonizes apophatic (negative) and affirmative methods, rejecting absolute negation while affirming the relative capacity of human cognition to comprehend the divine. He acknowledges both the transcendence of God and the limitations of human intellect, integrating knowledge and ontology to demonstrate that a complete understanding of God and His attributes necessitates both negative and affirmative approaches. While recognizing the necessity of apophatic approaches due to the omnipotence of God and the constraints of human cognition, he diverges in his explanations of God and existence, rejecting the idea of attributing qualities to the Divine to His beings, attributing qualities to God, and emphasizing the apophatic discourse in cognition of God and His attributes comprehensively. He contends that true cognition of God and articulate discourse about Him require the consideration of apophatic principles.

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Journal of Philosophical Theological Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 20 April 2025

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