✦ Critical Analysis of Modern Philosophy and the Islamic View of Life ✦
Modern Western ideology is rooted in a particular philosophical notion:
“I think, therefore I am.”
This philosophy detaches man from nature and the universe, presenting him as an independent, thinking entity. Based on this idea, man is determined to understand, conquer, and utilize the world through his own self and intellect.
① Detachment from God:
This philosophy distanced man from God, making research and science the new foundation of life.
② Rejection of Traditions:
Ancient traditions were dismissed in favor of new values, built solely upon human reasoning.
③ Concept of Autonomy:
Human intellect was elevated to the highest standard, positioning man as the center and axis of his environment.
The core idea of this worldview is:
“My being and my thought.”
The most profound human question—“Who am I?”—is answered here with:
“I am the one who thinks.”
However, this perspective neglects past traditions and focuses exclusively on the present and future.
➤ Thought and the Brain:
Science has yet to fully comprehend how the brain generates thoughts. Although chemical interactions among neurons are believed to cause the emergence of thoughts, their actual origin remains a mystery.
➤ External Stimuli:
If human thoughts are not solely a product of internal brain activity, then some external factor must be at play.
➤ Connection Between Senses and Thinking:
Human senses—eyes, ears, nose, etc.—play a significant role in thought formation. Yet, even in the absence of sensory input, a person can still think.
➤ Possibility of an Invisible External Force:
It is plausible that some invisible external force affects the human brain and initiates the process of thought.
➤ Universal Morality:
The concepts of good and evil are universally present in the human mind. This consistency suggests the existence of an external order governing human thoughts and ethics.
➤ “We” vs. “I”:
The modern philosophy’s assumption that man is the sole master of his thoughts contradicts the universal nature of morality.
This philosophy portrays man merely as an internal, self-contained unit. However, scientific studies reveal that thoughts are also influenced by external factors.
➤ A Flawed Assumption:
If thoughts stem from external sources, this philosophy becomes unscientific and irrational.
➤ Science is incapable of explaining the “why” behind human consciousness and thought.
➤ Science remains silent on the universality and sources of thoughts.
Just as atoms acquire mass from the Higgs boson field, thoughts may also be transmitted to the human brain through an invisible external medium.
Under this hypothesis, thoughts arrive in a raw form and are refined through chemical processes within the brain.
Islamic philosophy elevates man beyond mere matter, placing him under a higher spiritual consciousness. Man is regarded as the masterpiece of the Creator and His vicegerent on earth.
➤ Modern philosophy is founded on materialism,
➤ While Islam regards man as a being endowed with spiritual and luminous consciousness.
Western ideologies claim success through material progress, yet they fail to answer the fundamental questions of human existence.
➤ Modern philosophy has led to the disintegration of moral and family systems.
➤ Materialistic ideologies continue to distance man from God, while remaining incapable of resolving the dilemmas of human existence.
The philosophy of “I think, therefore I am” is fundamentally flawed both scientifically and logically. It fails to fully illuminate the origin and source of human thought.
According to the Islamic view of life, man is not only a material being but also endowed with a superior spiritual consciousness.
This reality exposes the weaknesses of modern philosophy and reaffirms the completeness and depth of Islam’s perspective on human existence.
❖ Foundation of Modern Western Philosophy
Modern Western ideology is rooted in a particular philosophical notion:
“I think, therefore I am.”
This philosophy detaches man from nature and the universe, presenting him as an independent, thinking entity. Based on this idea, man is determined to understand, conquer, and utilize the world through his own self and intellect.
❖ Effects of This Philosophy
① Detachment from God:
This philosophy distanced man from God, making research and science the new foundation of life.
② Rejection of Traditions:
Ancient traditions were dismissed in favor of new values, built solely upon human reasoning.
③ Concept of Autonomy:
Human intellect was elevated to the highest standard, positioning man as the center and axis of his environment.
❖ Central Notion of the Philosophy
The core idea of this worldview is:
“My being and my thought.”
The most profound human question—“Who am I?”—is answered here with:
“I am the one who thinks.”
However, this perspective neglects past traditions and focuses exclusively on the present and future.
❖ The Nature of Human Thought: In Light of Science and Philosophy
Origin of Thought
➤ Thought and the Brain:
Science has yet to fully comprehend how the brain generates thoughts. Although chemical interactions among neurons are believed to cause the emergence of thoughts, their actual origin remains a mystery.
➤ External Stimuli:
If human thoughts are not solely a product of internal brain activity, then some external factor must be at play.
Role of Human Senses
➤ Connection Between Senses and Thinking:
Human senses—eyes, ears, nose, etc.—play a significant role in thought formation. Yet, even in the absence of sensory input, a person can still think.
➤ Possibility of an Invisible External Force:
It is plausible that some invisible external force affects the human brain and initiates the process of thought.
❖ Morality and Universal Consciousness
➤ Universal Morality:
The concepts of good and evil are universally present in the human mind. This consistency suggests the existence of an external order governing human thoughts and ethics.
➤ “We” vs. “I”:
The modern philosophy’s assumption that man is the sole master of his thoughts contradicts the universal nature of morality.
❖ Scientific Flaws of Modern Philosophy
Foundations of the Philosophy
This philosophy portrays man merely as an internal, self-contained unit. However, scientific studies reveal that thoughts are also influenced by external factors.
➤ A Flawed Assumption:
If thoughts stem from external sources, this philosophy becomes unscientific and irrational.
Limitations of Science
➤ Science is incapable of explaining the “why” behind human consciousness and thought.
➤ Science remains silent on the universality and sources of thoughts.
❖ A Possible Hypothesis: The Higgs Boson Analogy
Just as atoms acquire mass from the Higgs boson field, thoughts may also be transmitted to the human brain through an invisible external medium.
Under this hypothesis, thoughts arrive in a raw form and are refined through chemical processes within the brain.
❖ Comparison Between Islam and Modern Philosophy
Islamic View of Life
Islamic philosophy elevates man beyond mere matter, placing him under a higher spiritual consciousness. Man is regarded as the masterpiece of the Creator and His vicegerent on earth.
Materialism vs. Spirituality
➤ Modern philosophy is founded on materialism,
➤ While Islam regards man as a being endowed with spiritual and luminous consciousness.
Western ideologies claim success through material progress, yet they fail to answer the fundamental questions of human existence.
❖ Effects of Western Philosophy
➤ Modern philosophy has led to the disintegration of moral and family systems.
➤ Materialistic ideologies continue to distance man from God, while remaining incapable of resolving the dilemmas of human existence.
❖ Conclusion
The philosophy of “I think, therefore I am” is fundamentally flawed both scientifically and logically. It fails to fully illuminate the origin and source of human thought.
According to the Islamic view of life, man is not only a material being but also endowed with a superior spiritual consciousness.
This reality exposes the weaknesses of modern philosophy and reaffirms the completeness and depth of Islam’s perspective on human existence.
