Theory of Knowledge II: The Metaphysics of Knowledge
Description
A 6-Week Online Course
This course continues the study of the theory of knowledge by turning from historical and definitional analysis to the ontological structure of cognition itself. Whereas Part I examined what knowledge is and how it is justified, Part II investigates what knowledge is in its mode of being.
Students begin with the definition and divisions of science, clarifying how the sciences are classified and how epistemology relates to broader intellectual inquiry. The course then examines mental existence (al-wujūd al-dhihnī), exploring how objects exist in the mind and how this mental mode of being relates to external reality. Competing philosophical theories are analyzed alongside major objections and responses within the Islamic philosophical tradition.
The latter part of the course addresses two of the most profound doctrines in classical Islamic philosophy: the immateriality of knowledge and the unity of intellect, intellector, and intelligible. These teachings integrate epistemology with metaphysics, presenting knowledge not merely as correspondence or justified belief, but as a mode of existence and existential participation.
By the end of the course, students will have developed a deeper understanding of how epistemology culminates in metaphysical insight, equipping them to engage advanced philosophical discussions concerning mind, reality, and the nature of intellectual apprehension.
Theory of Knowledge II (6 Weeks)
The Metaphysics of Knowledge
Week 1 — Defining Science
Reading: Chapter Twelve
Week 2 — The Divisions of Science
Reading: Chapter Thirteen
Week 3 — Mental Existence (al-wujūd al-dhihnī)
Reading: Chapter Fourteen
Week 4 — Theories of Mental Existence
Reading: Chapter Fifteen
Week 5 — Objections to the Philosophers’ Theory and Their Responses
Reading: Chapter Sixteen
Week 6 — The Immateriality of Knowledge and the Unity of Intellect
Reading: Chapters Seventeen–Eighteen
Texts
The primary text for the course is an English translation by the instructor of Dr. Akram Almajid’s Philosophical Investigations, Part Two: Theory of Knowledge, currently being prepared for publication. The work provides the central framework for the course and guides our study of epistemological questions within the Islamic philosophical tradition.
Prerequisites
No prior background in philosophy, Islamic studies, or Arabic is required. The course is designed for beginners while maintaining intellectual rigor and conceptual precision.
Completion of Theory of Knowledge I: The Foundations of Epistemology is strongly recommended.
Learning Objectives
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
Identify the foundational questions and problems addressed in theories of knowledge
Understand key epistemological concepts such as knowledge, certainty, doubt, perception, intellect, and demonstration
Analyze how knowledge is classified, acquired, and justified within philosophical traditions
Explain the relationship between epistemology, metaphysics, and philosophical theology
Engage translated philosophical texts with clarity, precision, and confidence
Readings
Assigned readings are drawn primarily from the course textbook and are to be completed prior to each class session. Reading selections are calibrated to support comprehension and guided discussion rather than technical specialization.
Class Structure
Each class meets for ninety minutes, with approximately fifty minutes devoted to structured lecture and forty minutes to discussion and questions. Lectures are designed to build progressively, ensuring continuity and conceptual grounding across the eight-week course.
Q&A Protocol
Students may submit questions during class via Zoom’s chat function or “raise hand” feature. Questions may be addressed during the lecture when appropriate or reserved for the discussion portion of the session.
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Course Details
Instructor
Professor Mukhtar Ali
Dates
June 5 - July 10
(6 Weeks)
Day
Friday
Time
12pm - 1:30 pm EST
Location
Online
Tuition
$225
How to Register
To enroll, click the Register button below and complete the online checkout process. Once registration is confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email with access details and course information.