Some Considerations on the Theory of Emanation in Alfarabi, Avicenna, and al-Ghazālī

Authors

Catarina Belo, The American University in Cairo

Author's Department

Philosophy Department

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https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2025.2514309

All Authors

Catarina Belo

Document Type

Research Article

Publication Title

Theology and Science

Publication Date

1-1-2025

doi

10.1080/14746700.2025.2514309

Abstract

This chapter, inspired by Edward Moad's analysis of al-Ghazālī's approach to the theory of emanation, offers a comparative analysis of that theory, according to Alfarabi and Avicenna, and assesses al-Ghazālī's response. Al-Ghazālī holds that emanation constitutes a major obstacle to a correct conception of God as portrayed in the Qurʾan. More specifically, it is incompatible with a correct understanding of God's attributes, in particular God's knowledge and will, and more broadly with God's agency. Although he criticizes both Alfarabi and Avicenna, al-Ghazālī's account of emanation is fundamentally more indebted to Avicenna's model than to that of Alfarabi.

First Page

596

Last Page

607

Recommended Citation

APA Citation

Belo, C. (2025). Some Considerations on the Theory of Emanation in Alfarabi, Avicenna, and al-GhazālÄ«. Theology and Science, 23(3), 596–607. https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2025.2514309

MLA Citation

Belo, Catarina "Some Considerations on the Theory of Emanation in Alfarabi, Avicenna, and al-GhazālÄ«." Theology and Science, vol. 23, no. 3, 2025, pp. 596–607.
https://doi.org/10.1080/14746700.2025.2514309