Comparative Theology (Sep 2016)
Revisiting of The negative and positive theologies in the Gradation of existence theory
Abstract
The negative and positive theologies are two intellectually compaction positions that have attracted most Islamic thinkers since the early Islamic period. Tashbih and tanzih means likening and cleansing or purifying respectively. These two technical words in theology describe human encounter with God. Accordingly Asharites tends towards Positive theology and Mutazale and Shiite tend towards Negative Theology. There are some Shiete thinkers, however, to compromise this situation. Based on different assumptions and presuppositions we can discern the following compromised versions: 1. Mild Anthrophomorphism: based on the communality of God and human attributes and reflections on Human contingency and God's necessity 2. Prevalence of existence and its unity: based on Ibn Arabi's mystical philosophy 3. Gradation of existence: based on Sadra's transcendental philosophy By looking at the most over-looked fundamental principles of Transcendental Philosophy, I will take a look the possible reconciliations of Negative and Positive theology in this paper. At the end, I will argue for its most plausible version
