Philosophy of Evolution

Evolution in the words of Islam versus Darwinism: Ayatollah Khamenei explains

In the logic of Marxists and Dialecticians, evolution is this: becoming more complex. However, within Islamic Logic, all forms of becoming more complex does not mean becoming more evolved.Hence, within the scope of Islamic Logic, evolution is not only becoming more complex; but, evolution happens when an animal essence changes into human essence.

Sadr-ol-Mote'allehin, commonly known as Mulla Sadra, assumed a new motion in existence (wujud) itself, which is called Substantial Motion. That is, the mere substance, or the mere essence, undergoes motion from one thing to another thing: one thing gradually changes from within another thing. Not that an entity with certain properties changes by merely changing those properties; and the properties being accidental properties. Not in that manner. However, the entity itself changes gradually into another thing. For example, a plant changes into an animal; that is, an animal eats the plant, and the plant becomes part of animal's body and changes into an animal in this aspect. Or, like a human being, one that is no more than a creature with animal properties at first: without humane intelligence, reason and conscience, and then, gradually, changes into a more perfected human. This represents Substantial Motion. The substance, the essence undergoes a change. The following well-known poem by Rumi is said to imply the same concept:

I died as a mineral and became a plant,

I died as plant and rose to animal,

I died as animal and I was Man.

Why should I fear? When was I less by dying?

Yet once more I shall die as Man, to soar

With angels blest; but even from angelhood[1]

 

Accordingly, a human being’s motion and evolution lead him to the level of angels, to the level of essential spirituality and holiness: this is considered to be evolution within Islamic Logic. According to the materialistic viewpoint and dialectical logic, evolution is becoming more complex. So when a bicycle changes into a motorcycle, it has become more complex; thus, it has evolved. Alternatively, for instance, imagine the brain of a chimpanzee like creature, from which some Darwinist claim that--in the abrogated theory, the opposite of which has been proven--has evolved into the brains of humans by becoming more complex. In the logic of Marxists and Dialecticians, evolution is this: becoming more complex. However, within Islamic Logic, all forms of becoming more complex does not mean becoming more evolved. Because, the brain of that individual who discovers a deadly poison, a drop of which can kill thousands of people, is a complex brain; but that person is by no means an evolved person; he is a very defective person; he is lower than all other animals. The Quran says: “Those [who do not know faith] are like livestock; rather, they are more astray.”

Hence, within the scope of Islamic Logic, evolution is not only becoming more complex; but, evolution happens when an animal essence changes into human essence.

 

November 27, 1991

 

 

 


[1] Translated by Reynold A. Nicholson

Tags

  • Darwin
  • Darwinism
  • Philosophy
  • Theory of Evolution

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