History of Islamic Philosophy

History of Islamic Philosophy

The uncertainty principle and non-violation of causality in Islamic philosophy (The critical analysis based on Avicenna and Allameh Tabataba'i's view)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Ghasem Ali Kouchnani 1
Mohamad Mahdi Davar 2
Mohammad Ali Kouchnani 3
1 Head of the Department of Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Faculty of Theology and Islamic Studies, University of Tehran
2 Islamic Philosophy and Theology at the University of Tehran
3 MSc in Theoretical Physics, Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch. Tehran. Iran
10.22034/hpi.2024.451083.1073
Abstract
The principle of causality is one of the most fundamental principles that has been discovered in the history of philosophy and science. Several foundations revolve around this concept. The importance of this principle in classical physics lies in giving physicists the ability to predict phenomena. Furthermore, due to causality is recognized as a fundamental principle in classical physics. With the introduction of the principle of uncertainty, the principle of causality is empirically called into question. Because the claim of the principle of uncertainty in quantum mechanics is that the relationships between fundamental particles are not causally related to each other, and even the behavior of an electron or a subatomic particle is not based on the principle of causality. If we want to identify the speed of particles, we will not be able to identify their state, and if we want to determine their state, we will not be able to identify their speed. The best way to resolve this conflict is to bring the discussion into philosophy, which is exactly what has been done in Islamic philosophy. The concept of causality in Western philosophy seems to be based on Newtonian concepts. But what has been stated in Islamic philosophy is based on metaphysical concepts, and therefore the principle of uncertainty cannot contradict the concept of causality in Islamic philosophy, especially what has been discussed in the philosophy of Avicenna and Allameh Tabataba'i.
Keywords
Principle of causality
Uncertainty principle
Classical physics
Quantum physics
Islamic philosophy
Avicenna
Allameh Tabataba'
i
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 12 April 2024
  • Revise Date 25 April 2024
  • Accept Date 08 May 2024