Comparative Analysis of the Other world Based on the Theories of Soul in Avicenna and Descartes

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Assistant Professor of Department of Theology , University of Farhangian , Tehran, Iran

10.22080/jre.2025.28249.1237

Abstract

The topic of the "afterlife" is one of the fundamental issues in philosophy and theology that has deeply intrigued Islamic and Western philosophers alike. This paper provides a comparative analysis of Avicenna's (Ibn Sina) and Descartes' perspectives on the afterlife based on their theories of the soul. It aims to identify the similarities and differences between these two prominent thinkers in understanding the fate of the soul after death. The central question of this study is how the differing philosophical foundations of Avicenna and Descartes have influenced their views on the afterlife. The research method is descriptive-analytical and comparative, utilizing primary sources and related studies to describe and analyze the theories of these two philosophers. The findings indicate that Avicenna, relying on the Islamic philosophical system and Peripatetic metaphysics, views the soul as an independent substance that reaches perfection through the active intellect, with its fate depending on its connection to the intellect. In contrast, Descartes, employing the dualism of mind and body and emphasizing divine will, sees the immortality of the soul as guaranteed. The fundamental differences in the epistemological and metaphysical foundations of these philosophers lead to differences in defining the soul, its quality of survival, and its interaction with the afterlife. The results of this study highlight the strengths and weaknesses of both perspectives and suggest that a comparative examination of these issues can foster interdisciplinary research in philosophy and theology, offering a deeper understanding of the concept of immortality and the meaning of the afterlife.

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