Epistemology (How do we know what we know?)

Epistemology

is “the means of knowing,” or “how we know what we know” • ‘Aqida is about having certain knowledge or conviction (yaqeen), and this cannot exist without knowledge

-Our inner conviction and belief is about absolute truth • Truth is not a construct. It is not something we build. The mind cannot build truth. Rather, truth is something we discover. • Note that it is not individually obligatory for a person to know all the terms used in this topic or exactly how it is represented in this course. However, it is a means to properly knowing. • Even if you don’t remember the terms for everything, you understand what it is because you have ‘aql (intellect)

Questions about Truth

Is there an Absolute Truth?

Yes, as Muslims, we believe that is possible for human beings to access absolute truth. • Without access to absolute truth, we would not be able to survive

Is truth relative?

Many people (such as the sophists) think that there is no such thing as absolute truth, and that truth is subjective to one’s own experience (e.g. the phrase “Live your truth”). They may use this as a justification for decisions e.g. ‘Do what is best for you or what you think is right,’ ‘What’s right for me may not be what is right for you,’ ‘It’s a matter of perspective,’ etc. People who think this way have to be tolerant to the opinions of others because if there is no absolute truth, then every viewpoint is valid •

All religions think their own religion is the truth, because it's true to them (i.e. relative truth). So saying, “Islam is true because the Qur’an says so,” is not a compelling argument. This is why it is important to understand what knowledge is and how to think, as it helps us understand what absolute truth is.

If someone makes the claim: “There is no absolute truth.”

Then the response to this is: “Is that statement absolutely true or not?”

If they say YES, then this contradicts their claim. It is like a written statement which reads “There is no such thing as writing.”

• If they say NO, then this acknowledges that there is absolute truth.

What is knowledge?

The general definition of knowledge is to ascertain, or grasp something. • It is to have access to something as it truly is (i.e. access to the truth) • The specific definition of knowledge, in the science of ‘aqida, is defined as: ‘Conviction that is congruent with the actual, and based on evidence” • Congruent means matching reality, corresponds to the actual

3 aspects to knowledge

1)Conviction – you are certain, form, not shaky or wishy washy about it. Impervious to doubt.

2) Congruent – matches reality

3) Based on proof • The means to getting true knowledge is by obtaining evidence or proof (dalil)

knowledge is not

1)Jahl (ignorance) e.g. not knowing the answer to something

2) False guess e.g. guessing an answer but being incorrect.

3) True guess e.g. guessing an answer and being correct, but without relying on access to knowledge

4) Doubt e.g. being unsure, such that it could be either option (50/50)

5) Blind imitation e.g. going with what someone else said

Example: What is the capital of Canada?

• Jahl: “Don’t know” •

False guess: “Ontario” •

True guess: “Ottawa?”

• Doubt: “Either Ontario or Ottawa”

• Blind imitation: “My friend said Amsterdam, so I’m going to guess that as well