Theory of perception in Qādî Abd al-Jabbâr

This thesis aims to reveal the theory of perception developed by Qādî Abd al-Jabbâr, the renowned theologian of the Behshamiyya branch of the Basran Mu'tazilites, in which he discusses how sensory objects are perceived by created (hâdith) and the Eternal (Qadîm) subject by focusing on the problem of the vision of God (ru'yatullah) by believers in the afterlife. He discussed the problem with its metaphysical, physical and epistemological dimensions and developed a theory of perception that could be applied to created beings as well as the Eternal being. His theory of perception will be examined with two chapters following an introduction. The first main section consists of two chapters: the nature of perception and the its fundamental elements. The first chapter is devoted to the nature and essence of perception with the aim of outlining the main framework of the discussion and determining Qādî's position on the problem. The second chapter focuses on Qādī's ideas regarding the key elements of perception, such as subject, object, and conditions of the external world, within the context of Qādī's own interpretation of perception. The second main section of the study consists of two chapters; the first chapter examines the God's (the Eternal Being) perception of sensory objects whereas the second section deals with created being's perception of sensory objects. According to Qādî, created beings, in contrast to eternal being, are subject to various physical and epistemological processes. Therefore, with the aim of revealing these physical and epistemological processes in more detail, the second chapter of this main section is broader and more comprehensive than the first. In the chapter, the objects of perception specific to each mode of perception and the processes involved in those different perception modes are analysed. The perception of vision is discussed more extensively in this chapter than the other types of perception because the question of whether God can be seen in the afterlife constitutes the specific context of the discussions on perception and has a guiding effect on the discussions of the issues related to perception. Further, the potential barriers to perception alongside accounts for different categories of perception are also studied. The relevant potential barriers or obstacles are analysed by putting subject, object, and conditions of the external world in the centre. Finally, the knowledge of the formation of perception that emerges as a result of the perception process. Here, after discussing the nature and the scope of the intellect which enables the perceiver to know what he perceives, how sensation turns into perception and how one who senses an object can know it through his intellectual maturity (kamâl al-'aql) are examined.