A Resolution to the Objection of the Infinite Regress in Object Refuting the Mental Existence

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Philosophy and Contemporary Wisdom, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Some objections to the mental existence that are proposed by the western thinkers are unknown to Muslim philosophers. For example, Husserl says that if we accept the mental existence, then there will be an infinite regress in object:
object 
 “idea of object” 
 “object of “idea of object”” 
 “idea of “object of “idea of object””” 
 “object of “idea of “object of “idea of object”””” 
⁞
We will try to find a resolution to the objection – that refutes the mental existence – by means of a rational method and based on some of the principles of Muslim Philosophy. Although Muslim philosophers have not been engaged in the very infinite regress objection, they have been done in similar ones and said that: such infinite regresses are found due to the consideration of our minds and therefore they would cease to exist following the cessation of the consideration of mind. Thus, based on the very principles, here too, outline of the resolution is as follows: except for the first object, the rest are found when the infinite regress is found in our minds by means of the consideration of our minds. So, whenever we stop our consideration, they would stop as well and therefore there will be no infinite regress.
Finally, we will have a glance at the infinite regress in object objection of some Muslim philosophers that refutes the active intellect to be the truth-maker. We will show that this infinite regress in object objection too is an unsatisfactory criticism.

Keywords

References

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