Studies and Research; Authenticity of Soul: Overview of Views of Holy Quran, Muslim Philosophers, Contemporary Western Scholars

In the modern era, dominated by empiricist philosophies, the prevailing view came to affirm the primacy of matter, holding that the soul and life are nothing more than products of material interactions. However, in recent decades, a growing number of researchers have argued that the mind, or consciousness, or the soul, is itself material, despite the fact that contemporary science remains unable to fully explain human consciousness or reduce it to specific material processes. This failure is largely due to the complexities inherent in the nature of the mind. Yet, many leading scientists today hold that consciousness is not material and that it can never be fully explained by empirical science. Some even consider consciousness to be a special gift or emanation from Allah, Almighty. This article explores recent developments and differing approaches to the question of consciousness and the soul, drawing on perspectives from both Islamic sages and contemporary Western scientists.