1.1.4 Conceptualizing the Past Video

Why is there something as opposed to nothing? Here we begin our journey into different traditions to understand how they explain the origin of the universe and what those explanations tell us about human nature. The video consists of commentary and responses by Notre Dame professors Mahan Mirza, Ebrahim Moosa, Celia Deane-Drummond, and Hussein Abdulsater.

Guiding Questions:

• What does the multiplicity of origins stories tell us about human nature?
• What does it mean for tradition and truth to be embodied?
• How did early Muslim theologians understand “reason” and “truth”?
• What is the challenge contemporary Islam faces, according to Dr. Ebrahim Moosa?
• What ideas about human nature and society did early Muslim theologians take for granted? Have any of these changed?