Recognition of Soul’s Passions in al-Ghazzali’s Moral System; with Regard to Aristotle’s View and the Effect of Affection for God on Human Prosperity

Poursina, Mitra (Zahra); Khosravi, Mariam

doi:10.22034/ra.2019.100569.2287

Recognition of Soul’s Passions in al-Ghazzali’s Moral System; with Regard to Aristotle’s View and the Effect of Affection for God on Human Prosperity

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

Mitra (Zahra) Poursina ¹

Mariam Khosravi ²

¹ Associate Professor of Islamic Philosophy and Theology. Shahid Beheshti University

² M.A in Islamic Philosophy and Theology. Shahid Beheshti University

10.22034/ra.2019.100569.2287

Abstract

In the current study, in addition to explaining the soul’s passions in Aristotle’s tradition, the soul’s passions, particularly affection for God and its effect on human prosperity, is investigated in al-Ghazzali’s intellectual system. In the past and contemporary studies, passions are viewed as the origin of moral action and virtues of the soul, and the virtues have been known of direct relationship with human prosperity. Thus, the current study has explained virtues of the soul and, using a descriptive-analytical method, has recognized the passions of the soul. paying particular attention to the soul’s emotional and volitional dimension, al-Ghazzali believes that passion, as the origin of moral action, stands in connection with the cognitive dimension as he views knowledge (cognition) and perception as being prior to the affection, God as the most supreme case for perception an worthy of the highest degrees of affection and love. Thus it can be concluded that the God-familiar innate nature of Man and the sublime position of affection to God in his view leads him toward attaining the upmost degrees of prosperity and pleasure.

Keywords

al-Ghazzali

Aristotle

Passions

Prosperity

Virtues. Affection