EPS 38 Pertentangan Pemikiran Al-Ghazali dengan Pemikiran Ibn Rusyd

Summary

This video discusses the philosophical conflict between Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd (Averroes) in Islamic thought. Al-Ghazali initially explored various schools of thought, including Kalam and philosophy, before rejecting them due to their contradictions and turning to Sufism. He criticized the philosophers, particularly for their views on the eternity of the universe, God's knowledge, and bodily resurrection. Ibn Rushd defended philosophy, arguing that the Qur'an and philosophical reasoning are not inherently contradictory. The conflict highlights differences in their methods—Al-Ghazali's theological approach versus Ibn Rushd's philosophical one, which influenced Islamic and Western intellectual thought.

Takeaways

• 😀 Al-Ghazali initially struggled with various Islamic disciplines, including Kalam (theology) and philosophy, before finding satisfaction in Sufism.
• 😀 Al-Ghazali criticized philosophers, particularly for their views on the eternity of the universe, God's knowledge, and resurrection, arguing these ideas conflicted with Islamic teachings.
• 😀 Al-Ghazali's critique of philosophy culminated in his work *Tahafut al-Falasifah* (The Incoherence of the Philosophers), where he refutes 20 key philosophical positions.
• 😀 According to Al-Ghazali, the idea that the universe is eternal (without a beginning) contradicts the Islamic view of God as the Creator ex nihilo (from nothing).
• 😀 Al-Ghazali also criticized the notion that God does not know the details of what happens in the world, claiming that this contradicts Islamic theology on divine omniscience.
• 😀 Al-Ghazali rejected the idea of bodily resurrection in the afterlife, which he viewed as inconsistent with Islamic teachings.
• 😀 Ibn Rushd (Averroes) responded to Al-Ghazali’s criticisms in his work *Tahafut al-Tahafut* (The Incoherence of the Incoherence), defending the philosophers’ views as not contradictory to the Quran.
• 😀 Ibn Rushd argued that the universe’s eternity is compatible with the Quran, citing verses that suggest the universe was created from pre-existing matter, such as water and vapor.
• 😀 Ibn Rushd believed that God’s knowledge is different from human knowledge, and that God's knowledge encompasses the causes of events, not just the effects, addressing Al-Ghazali’s critique of divine knowledge.
• 😀 The fundamental disagreement between Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd lies in their methods: Al-Ghazali relies on theological reasoning, while Ibn Rushd uses philosophical reasoning, with both providing interpretations that have influenced both Islamic and Western thought.

Q & A

What was Al-Ghazali's initial approach to philosophy, and why did he reject it?

Al-Ghazali initially studied Kalam (Islamic theology) but found the arguments to be inconsistent and unsatisfying. He then turned to philosophy but rejected it after concluding that its arguments were weak and even dangerous, as they conflicted with religious teachings. He later embraced Sufism, which he found more fulfilling.

What were the three main philosophical ideas of the philosophers that Al-Ghazali criticized in 'Tahafut al-Falasifa'?

Al-Ghazali criticized three main ideas: (1) the eternity of the universe, meaning it was not created but has always existed, (2) the idea that God does not know the specifics of the universe, and (3) the rejection of physical resurrection, where only the soul is resurrected, not the body.

How did Al-Ghazali argue against the idea that the universe is eternal?

Al-Ghazali argued that if the universe were eternal, it would imply that God is not the Creator, as the Islamic belief is that God created everything from nothing (ex nihilo). This contradicts the teachings of Islam and the Qur'an, which affirm God as the Creator of all things.

How did Ibn Rushd (Averroes) respond to Al-Ghazali’s criticism about the eternity of the universe?

Ibn Rushd argued that the idea of the universe being eternal was not contrary to the Qur'an. He cited verses suggesting that the universe was made from pre-existing matter (like water or vapor), not created ex nihilo. He believed this interpretation was consistent with both philosophy and the Qur'an.

What was Ibn Rushd's response to Al-Ghazali's claim that God does not know the particulars of the universe?

Ibn Rushd explained that the philosophers did not claim that God does not know the particulars of the universe. Rather, they distinguished between human knowledge, which is specific and effect-based, and God's knowledge, which is universal and causes the existence of all particulars.

How did Ibn Rushd address the issue of physical resurrection raised by Al-Ghazali?

Ibn Rushd criticized Al-Ghazali’s inconsistent views on resurrection. While Al-Ghazali stated that there is no physical resurrection in his critique of the philosophers, in his other works, he suggested that Sufi resurrection occurs spiritually rather than physically, which Ibn Rushd argued was contradictory.

What is the key difference between the methodologies of Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd?

The key difference is their methodologies: Al-Ghazali used a theological approach rooted in Kalam (Islamic theology) to defend his views, while Ibn Rushd used philosophical reasoning and logic, relying on Aristotelian principles to defend the philosophers’ views.

How did the intellectual conflict between Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd impact the Muslim world?

The intellectual conflict led to a division in thought within the Muslim world. Al-Ghazali's theological approach gained widespread influence among the majority of Muslims, while Ibn Rushd’s philosophical approach had a smaller, more educated following, particularly influencing Western philosophy during the Renaissance.

Why is the difference in their approaches (theological vs. philosophical) significant in understanding the legacy of Al-Ghazali and Ibn Rushd?

The difference in their approaches highlights a fundamental divide in Islamic intellectual history: one side advocating for a more traditional, religious interpretation of Islamic beliefs (Al-Ghazali) and the other pushing for a more rational, philosophical exploration of the same concepts (Ibn Rushd). This division has shaped Islamic intellectual history and even influenced Western philosophy.

What role did Ibn Rushd’s philosophy play in the development of Western thought?

Ibn Rushd’s philosophical ideas, especially his commentaries on Aristotle, had a significant impact on the development of Western thought, particularly during the Renaissance. His rational approach to philosophy helped bridge the gap between Islamic and Western intellectual traditions, contributing to the intellectual revival in Europe.