The Theory of Simulacra and Explaining Corporeal Resurrection: A Critical Analysis of van Inwagen
Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1 M.A. in Philosophy of Religion, Imam Khomeini Education and Research Institute
2 Associate professor of Theology and Philosophy, Research Institute of Hawzah and University.
10.22034/ra.2021.139391.2579
Abstract
With the growth of positivist thoughts and monistic views toward Man, the physicalist explanations of Man and corporeal resurrection have gained traction. Peter van Inwagen, an analytic philosopher, has suggested a physical explanation of corporeal resurrection known as “Simulacra” and claimed its superiority over other physical explanations in the vein. In an attempt to assess the claim – considering the underpinnings of the theory – the present study has described the theory first and then evaluated it. It was found that the theory of simulacra suffers from anthropological and epistemological deficiencies. The theory lacks in explaining an identity standard for the worldly person and the person in the hereafter. Simulacra, is built upon modal epistemology - based on Yablo’s account - and thus fails to account for the possibility of occurrence of corporeal resurrection. Yablo’s account is based on a personal belief and results in relativism. In addition to that, in his other writings, van Inwagen has proved that Yablo’s account is invalid and result in doubt and therefore, his use of the account in simulacra is far from justified.
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