Averroes examined the the Koran with philosophy to come up with his own beliefs. The Koran leaves a lot of room for interpretation.
Averroes states: " This being so, whenever demonstrative study leads to any manner of knowledge" the subject is "either mentioned in Scripture or not. If it is unmentioned there is no contradiction."
If scripture does speak of it, " the apparent meaning of the words inevitably either accords or conflicts with the conclusions of demonstration about it...If it conflicts there is a call for allegorical interpretation of it."
A lot of Avveroes's reasoning derive from his Allegorical interpretations. Which is common in many religions. ( except ones that literally interpret religious text)
"Allegory is everywhere in thought and belief; we just have to figure out where it belongs and to what degree"
Discussion Question: Do you believe that Allegory(spirtiual or religious) is everywhere in thought and belief?
Does it exist in life? Or is it wishful thinking by humans?
Factual Question:
What was Averroes' rebuttal to al- Ghazzali's The Incoherence of philosophers?
-The incoherence of the Inchoherence
Next topic: Nicholas
According to dictionary.com, an allegory is: (1) a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another. (2) A symbolical narrative.
ReplyDeleteI think people use allegory to reach a deeper place of comprehension on a subject. They use it to explain something in life that can't quite be explained in literal terms. When speaking about spiritual or religious topics, it is difficult to explain your views to other people without referencing tangible things to represent abstract ideas. It's very difficult to rationalize a religious or spiritual belief because you cannot transfer your feelings and experiences directly to another person, so it becomes necessary to use allegory in order to illustrate those beliefs. Exactly what allegorical representation people use depends on their personal perspectives and how they wish to portray their ideas.
I should of clarified more here, are there symbols in life that take on a more metaphorical meaning..
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that there are allegories present in life. As people, we try to find meaning and things and hope that everything happens for a reason, or everything has a way of falling in place for a higher purpose. I don't think there is any actual intrinsic value gained in looking for "symbols." Averroes used the Koran as a tool to live by. I think this where a lot of his doubt may have come from. By appyling allegory to the Koran, it could have made it easier for him in handling his faith.
ReplyDeleteNicholas
ReplyDeleteCan you be skeptical about all arguments that knowledge claims?
Can you reduce all arguments down to the first principle?
Factu
The Pope ordered Nicholas of Auttrecourt's _____________.
a. Death, by hanging
b. Books to be burned
c. deportation
d. renewal of Christian vows
answer : B
I don't believe that there are allegories everywhere, but I do think that if something out of the ordinary happens in someone's life- religious or not- they'll take it as a "sign". However, I don't think it's rational for someone to just sit around and wait around for those symbols in life.
ReplyDeleteNicholas:
ReplyDeleteFactual: What was Nicholas of Auttrecourt often called?
Answer: The Medieval Skeptic
Discussion:
Do you agree with the medieval philosophers that we cannot know anything?