Today in class we discussed al-Warraq. Since none of us got around to posting before class (spring-break-itus!), I'll include our factual question that we decided on today in class as well, and post our factual question for our next reading assignment in the comments.
Discussion Question: Do you think that al-Warraq was right in thinking that prophets claims are unecessary and that we as humans are capable of knowing the world on our own?
Before discussing al-Warraq's views in context, we discussed our opinions on whether or not we personally believe in the idea of prophecies in the first place, which led to a lot of interesting story-swapping. We also discussed how believing in prophecies in the first place makes them more likely to manifest into a reality. Either way, al-Warraq was trying to emphasize to the Muslim people that they should not just blindly follow or except a prophecy without questioning the prophecy itself or attempting to understand their own faith without being educated on why they are acting in accordance to certain beliefs. I think no matter what your faith, or whether or not you believe in prophecies, it's necessary to place importance and value upon your own reasoning.
Factual Question: Which Muslim skeptic referred to God as a fool?
A: al-Warraq
I am not against the idea that we are capable of coming to know the world on our own, however I think that al-Warraq is being foolish and stubborn in saying that all Muhammad has done was to correctly make good "guesses" efficiently and consistently. I do not ascribe to the Muslim religion, but even I think al-Warraq is being a radical skeptic here. As far as things being prophecised correctly, I do think this is possible and not a wrong thing to believe. From who or from what these visions into the future may come from I am not sure, but who is to say that it is an impossibility, and I certainly to not see it as being coincidental great guesses, for so many times it has been done. Obviously if left over time with no instruction, we as humans will come up with new advancements and innovations that we hold as being useful to us to make our lives easier. We are intellectual beings after all, I think this is only right to happen naturally prophet or no prophet. I think that the prophets purpose would be to share and convey detrimental information to those who have a keen and inept sense of thinking as well as the right intentions with the way their newly-found knowledge will and should be used amongst thier fellow neighbors, I do not just think a prohpet would have nonsense information, or of information that could be easily figured out by us humans within a short amount of time. It should also be clear that a prophet would not just share whatever he pleases to share with just anybody, I believe there are chosen fews who are right to hear whatever the prophet may have to say. This is just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteDiscussion Question: Do you guys think al-Warraq even holds a valid argument, considering he does not really give further emphasis on why he choses to be so skeptical?
Factual Question: It is fact that al-Warraq was Muslim, but what did most refer to him as being?
A: A Manichaean.
I agree with Ryan and Alexa. I think that it is possible for prophecies to exist, but I also think that it is possible for the mind to play tricks on us. For example, is somebody tells you that something good will happen in a week, then unconsciously your behavior will cause good events to happen. On the other hand, there are some events that have been predicted by people and there is no possible way that for humans to control over these events. But I would not blindly believe somebody just because they are called prophets or because they have many followers. I think I would try as hard as I could to not let their predictions affect my life or behavior. Regardless there are still people out there that do have the special ability to predict or to envision future events and I respect that as well. But I would never tell somebody to "read my hand" and predict my future. I would just see prophets as people with special abilities and treat them with respect, just like I would treat any other person.
ReplyDeleteFactual Question: Which was the most important of all the new texts?
A: Aristotle’s Sophistic Refutations
Discussion Question: Would you categorize Scholasticism as a religion? Why or why not?
I beleive in man's power to reason for himself. In that sense, I believe al-Warraq was correct in saying that prophets are not needed. Prophecies are intriguing in how they plant in idea into your head, and then you are more aware if something similiar happens. However, I don't think you should follow someone because they claim to know something that you don't. Instead you should question their knowledge, but still respect it if gained from experience. If anything, everybody should be their own prophets and discover the world for themselves, and share their findings. Just don't claim to have the one correct answer for everybody on the planet.
ReplyDeleteFactual question: what scholastic was known for the invention of the morality play?
Answer: Hildegard of Bingen
Discussion question: What is your personal opinion of using rationalism to explain religion?
hey guys. my apologies for missing class on monday, I'm going to miss again today. my mom was hospitalized monday, and took a turn for the worse last night and passed away early this morning. I know I'm a crappy group member.. so sorry. I should be in class Monday. again, sorry for missing so much.
ReplyDeleteI personally do not believe in someone telling me where my future is headed and what will happen to me in the near future. I believe that people make their own destiny and no one knows the future holds for themselves let alone telling someone else what they should expect out of their lives. I sort of agree with al-Warraq because if you tell someone that they are going to be hurt in the near future then that's all they are going to be thinking about. I also agree with what Alexa said in class that the power of thought is very powerful. If you think nothing but bad things are destined for you then that's pretty much what you going to get. So yes I agree with al-Wareaq that prophets need to mind their own business and let people figure out their own destiny without interference from anyone else.
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