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Shiavault - a Vault of Shia Islamic Books Theological Instructions LESSON FOURTEEN: THE MATERIALISTIC WORLD VIEW AND ITS CRITICISM The principles of the materialist worldview In order to define the materialist worldview the following principles can be applied: Existence is equivalent to matter and materiality. An existent is either matter, having three dimensions (length, width, and thickness) or volume, or it is counted as having the properties of matter.

Naturally matter has the capability of being quantitative and divisible. Hence on this very principle the existence of God as being immaterial and supernatural is denied. Matter has no beginning or end, resulting in it being uncreated and without any need for cause. According to our philosophical terminology it is the necessary existence.

The universe cannot be considered as having a final cause and purpose, because the active agent (fā’il) does not seem to have any intelligence and will for being identified as having a purpose. Phenomena in the universe (not matter itself) come into existence as an effect of the shifting of material particles, which influence each other.

From this standpoint one can recognise the former things as a type of condition and as a preparatory cause (‘illah i’dādiyyah) for the subsequent phenomenon or at-most it can be considered as natural activity among materials. For example, a tree can be known as a natural agent for the fruit that it bears, or the phenomena of chemistry and physics can be considered as the agent. However, none of the phenomena require a divine agent that bestows existence.

The fifth principle can also be added to the above and is related to theology. However from a certain aspect it precedes the other principles and is the only authentic cognition. It is the principle, which comes forth from sense experience. As the experience of the senses only confirms matter and materials, it will thus not accept any other existence.

Nevertheless we have mentioned in the previous lesson the defects of this principle and it is not required from us to criticise this principle over again, therefore we will analyse the remaining principles of materialist worldview: a. Investigating the first principle This principle is the most fundamental principle in the materialist worldview, however its proclamations are nothing but absurd.