The concept of the intellect in ash'arite thought: The case of al-Taftazani

This thesis The Concept of the Intellect in Ash'arite Thought: The Case of al-Taftazani describes and analyses the views and debates that occurred regarding the definition, the essence, and the ontological existence of "the intellect" in the Ash'arî tradition from the point of view of al-Taftazani. The introduction discusses the biography of al-Taftazani, his works and his rank in Kalam science. It also evaluates different explanations on the concept of the intellect between different schools of thought. The first chapter deals with the ontological essence of the intellect, beginning with the investigation of the definition of the intellect. Then, it compares the different views on the essence of the intellect, as well as presents the debates on the location of the intellect in the human body, and the variant divisions of the intellect. The second chapter deals with epistemological function of the intellect, the possibility of reaching knowledge, and the objections of those who refuted the epistemological value of the intellect. Deduction, induction, and analogy are evaluated in terms of being intellectual proofs for the intellect, while necessity, contingency, and impossibility are investigated as judgements of the intellect. The chapter closes with a description of the relationship of the intellect with faith, revelation and morality. Al-Taftazani has defined intellect as an instinct in the soul and included its essence in the category of accidents. Consequently, he considers the intellect as the basic condition of religious responsibility, while only revelation is the basis for the reward or punishment after death. Key Words: Intellect, Al-Taftazani, Ash'arites, Knowledge, Inference, Judgement, Revelation.