Critique of Richard Dawkins' Materialist Foundations and Arguments in Rejecting Proofs for the Existence of God from the Perspective of Imami Philosophical Theology
Keywords:
Richard Dawkins, Evolution , Muslim theologians , Argument of order , Argument of occurrenceAbstract
Dawkins adheres so strongly to the theory of evolution and natural selection that he regards it as the sole explanation of creation. He rejects both the theistic argument for the existence of God based on the teleological argument and the materialist perspective that creation occurred by chance. He claims that, according to the theory of evolution, there is no longer any need for God, as beings cannot exist before undergoing the evolutionary process from simplicity to complexity. Since, according to theistic belief, God is conceived as a complex being, He cannot be interpreted within the framework of evolution, for an initially complex God without undergoing evolutionary stages is deemed unreasonable. This study employs an analytical and descriptive method to critique and examine Dawkins' viewpoint. It demonstrates that, even if the theory of evolution were definitively proven, it would not contradict monotheism and the recognition of God. Furthermore, the arguments for the existence of God, including the rational teleological argument and the argument from contingency, remain robust and irrefutable. Additionally, from the perspective of philosophical theology, contrary to Dawkins' view, the emergence of beings has occurred through the principle of the possibility of the nobler (Imkan Ashraf) in a process of manifestation and descent
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