The “Consistent ↔ Consistent” Model in Explaining the Relation Between a Consistent Cause and a Changing Effect: A Novel Formulation within Transcendent Theosophy with a Comparative Assessment of Spinoza

Document Type : Scientific-research

Author

Department of Theology Education, Farhangian University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

The problem of the relationship between a consistent cause and a changing effect is one of the fundamental knots of Islamic metaphysics and encounters difficulties in its common formulations. This study proposes a theoretical model of “consistent ↔ consistent” within the framework of the Transcendent Theosophy (ḥikmat al-mutaʿāliyah) and, through a comparative assessment with Spinoza’s distinction between substance and modes, seeks to present a new argument for explaining this relation.  The research method is analytical–argumentative with a comparative approach, grounded in principles such as the existential poverty of the effect, gradation in manifestation, the essential aspects (shuʾūn) of the Real, the rule of “no repetition in manifestation” (lā takrār fī al-tajallī), and the divine simplicity and all-encompassing sustenance (qayyūmiyya). According to this model, the cause remains simple and immutable at the level of essence, while the effect—by virtue of being pure relational existence (ʿayn al-ribṭ)—is consistent and complete in each “existential moment.” Thus, change occurs not in the foundational causal relation, but at the level of the succession of manifestations.  The findings show that this formulation eliminates the difficulties of essential alteration in the cause and the problem of “preponderance without a preponderant cause,” and while affirming the doctrine of renewal of likes (tajaddud al-amthāl), it preserves identity-stability within the multiplicity of appearances. The comparative section also shows that, despite structural parallels with Spinoza’s model, this formulation differs significantly from his theological foundations, particularly regarding the immanence of the cause and his comprehensive necessitarianism. 

Keywords

References

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