The Unity of Existence (Wahdat al-Wujud)

Pantheism and Panentheism

with  

Dr Karim Aghili

In his presentation, Dr. Aghili will critically analyse some of the interpretations of wahdat al-wujud and will conclude by presenting the correct understanding. He will argue that wahdat al-wujud in its true sense is neither pantheism nor panentheism. During his discussion, Dr. Aghili will show that Wahdat al-wujud is not the unity based on affinity or individual unity. He will show that the correct interpretation is the one based on which a true Unitarian only sees the Divine Power and other Attributes of Perfection from among all contingent entities and dispenses with the created aspects of contingent existents. It is based on this view that the heavens and the earth, the seas and the land all become integrated, and the differences between them disappear. Therefore, the Gnostic loses sight of everything in the light of pure Divine Unity and sees nothing but the Truth (al-Haqq) and His Attributes. This, Dr. Aghili will argue, is the meaning of the Oneness of Existence and Absorption in the Beauty and Majesty of God.

Karim Aghili is a lecturer and researcher at the Islamic College for Advanced Studies, London, and visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge.  He received his Bachelors degree in English Literature from the University of Tehran, Masters degree in Education from the University of Manchester and a doctorate in Western Philosophy from the University of Sheffield. Dr. Aghili also spent several years in the Islamic Seminary of Qom, Iran, prior to commencing his undergraduate studies. His current research interests revolve around the Philosophy of Mind, the Philosophy of Religion, Theology, Gnosis, Wittgenstein, Western and Islamic Ontology with special emphasis on Heidegger and Mulla Sadra. Three of his papers on `the Ontological Argument in Islamic Metaphysics?, `Quranic Proof for the Existence of God? and `the True Meaning of the Unity of God? are due to be published soon.

Date: Tuesday, 20th November 2007

Time: 6.30 sharp.