Kalam Cosmological Arguments

by Mohammed Hijab

This book assesses some of the main forms of the Kalam cosmological argument. The author grapples with both medieval and contemporary interrogations of the argument with reference to Greek, Enlightenment and Medieval philosophers. It gives the reader an insight into some of the main areas of controversy (for example discussions of infinity and contingency) and attempts to make critical assessments throughout. The book concludes with the author’s understanding of the ‘strongest forms’ which attempt to postulate the most undercutting arguments for the existence of God.

Genres: Islam, Philosophy, Religion, Nonfiction, Atheism, Theology

68 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 2019

Reviews

[Tasneem]

I should probably study philosophy before attempting other books about ontological and cosmological arguments. I understood lots of the main/strong arguments and I loved the conclusion but I simply lack the necessary( see what I did there) basic knowledge of philosophy and the history of all these arguments. Hijab did a great job in putting together so many arguments and comparing them with each other.
Since I did not understand some of the arguments I will not rate the book, instead I am looking forward to learn more about philosophy and reading it again at some point later in time.

[Isa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice, short book. Some of the matters discussed in this book need an attentive mind so make sure you’re fully awake when reading it.

[Cameron Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The authors does a great job at presenting arguements and objections from both Ibn sina and Al-ghazali. He presents a very strong presentation of the cosmological arguement which satisfies both Idealists, realists and dualists. This book is a very technical read and i feel the author could've done a better job at defining his terms (especially arabic terms).

[Mehmed Gokcel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can the existence of God be proven without reference to human experience of existence?

How can we be informed of the nature of God's existence through the lense of the nature of our own existence?

How can our sensory existence be a factual rendering of a metaphysical existence? Can it?

What happens to cosmological arguments of the existence of God when we base them on our ontological presuppositions?

How can God, whose existence must be necassarily dependant on no-one or nothing for its existence be understood in a realm where everything must depend on God (i.e. a first mover, a willer, who chose existence over inexistence) for their own existence?

At this point then one has to, I assume, stop and ask oneself if they wish to believe in God or not. This to me poses the problem of self-interest getting involved in my decision to believe in God. Through reading all the arguments and having a disposition from my upbringing that lead me to believe in God, I feel like I have pursued an objective certainty that I simply cannot have. Regardless of the cosmological arguments and proofs that are plenty (and satisfactory to me), I have to admit to be taking a 'leap of faith' at the end of the day...

[Fatima Sarder · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Existance is God's essence; to suppose that the most perfect being does not exist is self-contradictory"
-Russel

I won't pretend that I understood everything written in this book, it requires many reads and a solid background knowledge of theology and Islamic philosophy.

An ontological argument is a proof which argues for the existence of God from a 'priori' (something that can known without experience or sense data) premise and makes no use of any premises that derive from our observation of the world.

A cosmological argument bases at least one of it's premises on an observable, cosmic phenomenon.

God is a necessary being, which is, an existence on which other dependent existences rely on. Every observable phenomenon is a dependent existence (e.g. the natural world, humans, the cosmos).

[AJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

The scholars that are used in regards to the arguments are giants in their field Ibn Sina, Al-Ghazali and ibn taymiyyah. Philosophical positions are further looked at by western philosophers such as David Hume and Immanuel Kant.

Concepts such as the first mover principles are examined in addition to the concept of things being finite.

[Naseem]

Worthy of Many Reads

Excellently organized and extremely informative. Author has outdone himself in every regard. Every read yields an another perspective and even more knowledge.

[sisi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think the problem with readability of this book is in the flow. I understand that it reads as if its for a knowledgable person who is already aware of the arguments and can therefore grapple with the various different viewpoints. But Hijab misses the mark, as for a new reader of philosophy (or any book of such nature) a more clear introduction to the ideas is required before jumping into an analysis. I loved the end chapters of the book as they provided that simple summary with the comparison for one to follow along. So I reread the book and the arguments and followed up with the videos to build that structure which gave me a much more complete understanding of what he was trying to do with the book.

I think accessibility for a lay audience is very important as it makes the amazing philosophies understandable (which is what Gazaali did and why there was an increase in philosophers after his published works). Using simple language and structure can go a long way in attracting various readers and making this work citable.

Good comments: uses primary sources, provides a cohesive analysis of the various theories and counter arguments and, refutes the objections (or at-least provides a way to do that).

[Umeaimen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a small quick read that addresses david hume's problem of induction and his disbeleif in causation being an a priori knowlege. Hijab brings forth Gazali and Ibn Sina's concepts of infinity/eternity and explains how these kalaam arguments do not necessarily have to be taken as a cosmological argument, but he brings light on how this can be viewed as an ontological argument as well. This book is not very detailed, but i enjoyed reading it. It does open up more curiousity to this topic and definately made me research a bit more into the different concepts. I read this book after i read 'The Divine Reality' by Hamza Tzortiz, and i would say, if i hadn't read that book first, i would be kind of lost reading this small read. Over all, i liked this book, i just wish Hijab could have explained a little more in detail for begginners like me :)

[Hamo22 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm not entirely sure who the author is directing this book towards. For those not familiar with philosophical and logical arguments it can be a bit too technical and not all too easy to follow along. For those already aware of such technicalities they would be familiar with the arguments presented and would thus have no need to read this book.

It was still interesting to read how such arguments were developed and comparing them to how modern philosophers and thinkers have taken the arguments and made it digestible for the layman.

[B · Rating 2 out of 5]

2/5
This book is definitely better than his other one, the Burhan. Hijab here is more cognizant about the use of syllogisms in some areas. Rather than the first book analyzing the syllogisms throughout, he examines a bit more the truth of the premises. Still, he avoids the most basic and child-like queries about the premises as he did in the first book. And again, just like the Burhan, he does rely on the syllogisms almost entirely.

Sometimes, while reading this book and also while reading the Burhan, I would disassociate from reality because I couldn't accept that these books were real and written by someone. The only reason I read this one was because it was referenced a lot in the Burhan.

I'm feeling dizzy from the number of times I read "Ibn Sina/Al-Ghazali's X argument pre-empts Y philosopher." Y philosopher is usually Hume lol, poor Hume.

[Saad Tahir · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book provides a short insight into the world of Kalam and the major ideas and notions that existed and still exist in this realm of literature and thought. Hijab's summary of it all is delughtful. However, as a first-time delver into the world of Kalam, I had a bit of difficulty understanding the paradigms.

[Khaled Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Adnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Imaan Iddir · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not very accessible. A glossary would be much appreciated.

[Muhammad · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's some much helpful and overwhelming positive. Jazzak Allah Khair

[Hhhio · Rating 5 out of 5]

its quite intersting book

[Youssef Omar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Succinct but interesting read of various scholarly arguments. I enjoyed chapter 4 about Ibn Taymiyyah's writing the most.

[Y Ahmed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of articles attempting to explain different persons of the Japan Cosmological Arguments.

[Sadiya Sadiya]

I want to read it and also my basic philosophy

[Roan24 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Im p sure this was the prequel to the Burhan, unclear but Anglo clarity makes it at least readable.

[Anonymous · Rating 5 out of 5]

(sighs lovingly) how i love kalam

[Rizwan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting if a little technical book.