Author Date

2025-08-04

Degree Name

Department

Philosophy

College

Humanities

Defense Date

2025-07-25

Publication Date

2025-08-04

First Faculty Advisor

Dr. Gordon Mower

First Faculty Reader

Dr. Glen Cooper

Honors Coordinator

Dr. Ryan Christensen

Keywords

comparative theology; mysticism; epistemology; love; divine encounter; practical theology

Abstract

This paper explores the epistemological role of love in the mystical frameworks of Muhyiddin Ibn ‘Arabi and Thomas Aquinas, two significant figures of medieval philosophy and theology. Though rooted in distinct monotheistic traditions—Islamic mysticism and Christian scholasticism—both thinkers share a foundation in Aristotelian thought, from which they derive skepticism regarding the intellect's capacity to fully comprehend or relate to the divine. Instead, they elevate love as the essential means to attaining knowledge of God. By comparing Ibn ‘Arabi’s concept of the heart with Aquinas’ notion of the will, the paper elucidates how each philosopher positions love as transcending the limitations of rationality, thereby enabling a deeper relationship with the divine. This comparison seeks to enrich the broader discourse on the role of love in spiritual epistemology. Beyond pointing to a shared conviction in the insufficiency of the intellect, which is characteristic of mysticism at large, this paper also reveals their differing perspectives on the nature of divine love—whether it culminates in a unifying essence or a reflection of divine multiplicity. Ibn ‘Arabi’s ontology, rooted in the Oneness of Being, suggests that the divine reveals itself through diverse manifestations. As a result, he advocates for an embrace of the myriad reflections of the divine, the conduit for which is love. In contrast, Thomas Aquinas’ ontology envisions a unifying essence with the divine. Consequently, he advocates for a formal transformation of the lover into the Beloved, which is achieved through love as an act of will. By exploring how Ibn ‘Arabi and Aquinas both adhere to and diverge from a shared Aristotelian and monotheistic tradition, this paper examines the implications of their respective conceptions of divine love: Ibn ‘Arabi emphasizes God's immanence, while Aquinas emphasizes God's transcendence—a divergence that significantly impacts how each conceptualizes the divine encounter.