Soul and body from the viewpoints of Imam Mohammad Ghazzali and Thomas Aquinas

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Anthropology is one of the most important issues in educational-hilosophical schools. The aim of this research is to find similarities and differences of body and soul from the viewpoints of Imam Mohammad Ghazzali and Thomas Aquinas. Analytical-comparative and library research methods have been used. These two scholars have similarities and differences on body and soul that their similarities are more than their differences. From the both of two scholars' viewpoints human nature is not merely material and is combined from body and soul. Body and soul are indispensable. The soul is immortal, immaterial and rational. Soul is finally returned to body in the Day of Judgment. Body is material and soul is immaterial .Soul has originality. Wisdom, anger, and lust are the most important faculties of the soul. There is a direct relation between body and soul. But Ghazzali contrary to Thomas believes to gradual creation .The division of the soul is different from the viewpoints of these two scholars. Contrary to the viewpoint of Thomas, from the viewpoint of Ghazzali soul is angelic and animal. Ghazzali believes that one's cognition of the soul is necessary for transcendence. However, the common viewpoints of these two scholars can be an introduction for designing a shared model of Islamic and Christian philosophical-educational schools.

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Religions and Mysticism
Volume 44, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
Spring & Summer
September 2011
Pages 63-94

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