Edited and Slides by OmarKN
12 Metaphysics - Its Subject Matter: The Real
By far the most important of the intellectual sciences is metaphysics. Its importance derives from the status of its subject matter, that is, the Real, the only reality that truly is.
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The philosophers acknowledged that the object studied in metaphysics and the object studied in Kalam (dogmatic theology) were identical. But the philosophers held that the Kalam experts were hemmed in by their insistence on rooting their knowledge in the transmitted knowledge of scripture, whereas they themselves strove to know the Real without dependence on transmission.
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They did this by disciplining their souls[14] in order to gain access to supra-individual intelligence. Classical Islamic philosophy was nothing if not a spiritual discipline, much in the manner of classical Greek philosophy.[15]
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Muhyiddīn Ibn ʿArabi, Presentation of 30 Texts
[14] However even with good intentions this appears to be not the best way - what is necessary is kashf & sulūk.
[15] See, for example, Pierre Hadot’s Philosophy as a Way of Life (Oxford: Blackwell, 1995).
