A Broader Perspective on "Humans": Analysis of Insān in Twelver Shīʿī Philosophy and Implications for Astrotheology
This article explores the essence of the human (insān) as it is understood in Twelver Shīʿī philosophy and mysticism. It presents a Shīʿī philosophical elucidation regarding the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligent lifeforms and what their relationship with "humanhood" might...
| Authors: | ; |
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| Format: | Electronic Article |
| Language: | English |
| Check availability: | HBZ Gateway |
| Journals Online & Print: | Drawer...
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| Fernleihe: | Fernleihe für die Fachinformationsdienste |
| Published: |
Wiley-Blackwell
2023
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| In: |
Zygon
Year: 2023, Volume: 58, Issue: 4, Pages: 838-859 |
| Further subjects: | B
extraterrestrial intelligent life
B Shīʿī Ḥadīth B noncarbon-based lifeforms B al-Insān al-Kāmil B plurality of worlds B Perfect Human B human–extraterrestrial interaction (HEI) B Astrotheology |
| Online Access: |
Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) Volltext (lizenzpflichtig) |
| Summary: | This article explores the essence of the human (insān) as it is understood in Twelver Shīʿī philosophy and mysticism. It presents a Shīʿī philosophical elucidation regarding the possible existence of extraterrestrial intelligent lifeforms and what their relationship with "humanhood" might be. This line of reasoning is presented with a general sketch of how, in Shīʿī Islamic thought, a "human being" is characterized by specific traits and the relationship of human beings with the archetype of the Perfect Human (al-Insān al-Kāmil). Following this is a review of Shīʿī Imāmī traditions regarding extraterrestrial intelligent life and the plurality of worlds. This sequence ultimately allows for a unique analysis of humanhood according to the Shīʿī philosophical viewpoint and helps determine if the term "human" can be used for other intelligent beings with similar ontological features and intelligence levels. |
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| ISSN: | 1467-9744 |
| Contains: | Enthalten in: Zygon
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| Persistent identifiers: | DOI: 10.1111/zygo.12926 |