Features
- Cover Type: Hard Cover with 209 pages
- Published by: Brill Academic Publishers October 1993
- Written in: English
- ISBN 10 Number: 9004098313
- ISBN 13 Number: 978-9004098312
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Book Dimensions:
9.5 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
- Weighs: 1.2 pounds
Product Description
This book reconstructs the theories of matter and space of the mutakallimun of the tenth and eleventh centuries A.D. It uses texts which have only recently become available. The book presents material which challenges our previous understanding of kalam atomism. In particular, it analyzes the concept of atoms as a `space-occupying object' without dimension yet having magnitude. It looks at the manner of the atom's occupation of space, and discusses arguments for and against unoccupied spaces or the void. A detailed examination of the paradoxical nature of such an atom follows. The argument is made that a `discrete' rather than a `continuous' conception of space, matter, time, motion and indeed geometry underlies kalam physical theory. In this respect, the kalam atom is similar to the Epicurean minimal part.
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