A1 Journal article (refereed)
The Question of Providence and the Problem of Evil in Suhrawardī (2021)

Kaukua, J. (2021). The Question of Providence and the Problem of Evil in Suhrawardī. Oriens : Journal of Philosophy, Theology and Science in Islamic Societies, 49(3-4), 244-268. https://doi.org/10.1163/18778372-12340008

JYU authors or editors

Kaukua, Jari

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kaukua, Jari

Journal or series: Oriens : Journal of Philosophy, Theology and Science in Islamic Societies

ISSN: 0078-6527

eISSN: 1877-8372

Publication year: 2021

Volume: 49

Issue number: 3-4

Pages range: 244-268

Publisher: Brill

Publication country: Netherlands

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1163/18778372-12340008

Publication open access: Not open

Publication channel open access:

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/78819

Abstract

Šihāb al-Dīn al-Suhrawardī’s philosophical works seem to contain two conflicting views on providence: in the Talwīḥāt and the Mašāriʿ, he endorses the Avicennian view, only to deny providence altogether in the Ḥikmat al-išrāq. This contribution aims to explain the seeming inconsistency by investigating it in light of the underlying question of God’s knowledge of particular things. I will also argue that despite his qualms concerning providence, Suhrawardī accepts the closely related Avicennian answer to the problem of evil.

Keywords: Arabic philosophy; theology; Islam; providence; evilness; theodicy

Free keywords: Šihāb al-Dīn al-Suhrawardī; Abū l-Barakāt al-Baġdādī; providence; problem of evil; God’s knowledge of particulars

Fields of science: