The Origin and Evolution of Phenomenalism
The formal beginning of phenomenalism (Deism) occurred at the end of the 17th century, although some thinkers consider it the oldest religion in the world
. Some claim that the first human was also born a “phenomenalist”
.
The roots of this theory are also found in the divine concepts of ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle, but it resembles their ideas more than Christian religious beliefs
.
In the Middle Ages, Islamic scholars rejected the general ideas of phenomenalism
,
however, at the end of the 17th century, it emerged in Britain as an organized intellectual movement.
The Influence of English Enlightenment
◄ Phenomenalism emerged as an important intellectual branch of (Enlightenment) Enlightenment
.
◄
called it “the religion of Enlightenment.”
◄ As a reaction against the strictness, corruption, and intolerance of the Church in England, young thinkers became acquainted with various religions during foreign travels, which promoted the ideas of phenomenalism
.
By the end of the 18th century, this theory had become quite popular especially among the educated class and emerged as a major intellectual rival to Christianity
.
Basic Concepts of Phenomenalism
To understand the ideas of phenomenalism, it is necessary to examine a few fundamental questions:
◄ What is God’s power and His role in the universe?
◄ Does God have expectations from His creation?
◄ What is the reality of revelation and miracles?
◄ What is the status of ethics and worship?
◄ What will be God’s justice after death?
1. God’s Power and His Activity in the Universe
◄ Most deists agree that God created the universe and then left it under automatic laws, and now He does not intervene in it in any way
.
◄ That is why God is called “the greatest clockmaker,” who made an automatic system and then left it to run on its own
.
2. Position Regarding Revelation and Divine Religions
◄ Deism generally rejects revelation because, according to them, God has given humans reason, which is sufficient for the search for truth
.
◄ Thomas Paine (Thomas Paine) considered religion to be the fundamental cause of humanity’s miseries
.
3. Deism’s Perspective on God’s Moral Character
◄ Some deists consider God to be the “infinitely good and the supreme judge”
.
◄ Thinkers like Voltaire regard God’s goodness as questionable and consider Him a “neutral but intelligent being”
.
4. Theory Regarding Worship
◄ Some deists consider worship unnecessary because God has no desire for it
.
◄ However, some other deists advocate prayer and worship
.
5. Position on God’s Justice and the Hereafter
◄ Most deists reject divine accountability after death because they do not consider God to be “fear-inducing and punishing”
.
◄ However, some thinkers believe in the hereafter and hold that God will reward or punish humans according to their deeds
.
Minimal Definition of Deism
Despite the various views of deists, there is agreement among them on a few fundamental points:
◄ God created the universe, but He does not play an active role in it.
◄ Religious beliefs and ethics should depend solely on reason, not on revelation.
According to
, the three fundamental principles of phenomenology are:
◄ Autonomy of human reason.
◄ Religious tolerance.
◄ Anti-religiosity tendency.
Conclusion
Phenomenology is a complex intellectual movement with various schools of thought. Its main point is that God created the universe but does not intervene in it, and humans should rely on reason rather than revelation for their beliefs and ethics.
