3 research outputs found
Al‑Ghazali and the Impossibility of Infinite Regress: A Rational Proof of God’s Existence
No full textThe question of whether the universe has a beginning or has existed eternally remains one of the most profound in both philosophy and science. Al‑Ghazālī, in his Kalām Cosmological Argument, asserted that an actual infinite regress of causes is impossible and that the universe must therefore have a temporal beginning, dependent upon God. This article critically re‑examines his reasoning, situating it within both classical critiques and contemporary scientific discourse. Philosophical challenges from Ibn Rushd (Averroes), David Hume, and Immanuel Kant are explored, alongside modern analogies such as Hilbert’s Hotel and mathematical paradoxes of infinity. Scientific perspectives are also considered, including relativity, the Borde–Guth–Vilenkin theorem, the thermodynamic arrow of time, and cosmological observations that determine the universe's age to be approximately 13.8 billion years. Taken together, these philosophical and scientific considerations reinforce the plausibility of al‑Ghazālī’s central claim: that an infinite regress of temporal causes is metaphysically and physically untenable
Negotiating Islam. Dialogues between Liberalism and Islamic Theologies in 21st Century Britain
No full textThe recent intense focus upon Islam in the UK comes at a time when the religion is in
a state of flux, with the traditions followed by older generations slowly giving way to
new forms of religious expression. New interpretations are very gradually emerging at
precisely the same time as suspicions are on the increase about Islam undermining
national identity and respect for the liberal democratic division between public and
private spheres. Against this tense backdrop, this thesis seeks to explore debates about
religious interpretation and the relationship between Islam and liberalism that are
ongoing among Britain’s Muslims. It draws upon data collected from a variety of new
initiatives (focusing upon three in particular) that are involved in disseminating Islamic
knowledge and discussing Islamic norms. Using this data, it examines the arguments of
a wide variety of Islamic scholars, clerics and activists and highlights some of the ways
in which Islam is being related to the British context.
Of particular concern in the thesis are the implications these debates have for liberal
traditions in the UK. It considers the effects of conventions of public discourse that
seek to stifle the expression of religious ideas upon the possible future flourishing of
British society and politics. The thesis argues against liberal political philosophies that
aim to restrict public speech so that only “public” or “secular” reasons are offered in
political debates, arguing that to do this is to risk mutual isolation between the UK’s
many religious and secular moral traditions. It uses debates among Muslims in the UK
on subjects such as national identity, political participation and civil and Islamic law to
illustrate and give weight to this argument
Impact of opioid-free analgesia on pain severity and patient satisfaction after discharge from surgery: multispecialty, prospective cohort study in 25 countries
No full textBackground: Balancing opioid stewardship and the need for adequate analgesia following discharge after surgery is challenging. This study aimed to compare the outcomes for patients discharged with opioid versus opioid-free analgesia after common surgical procedures. Methods: This international, multicentre, prospective cohort study collected data from patients undergoing common acute and elective general surgical, urological, gynaecological, and orthopaedic procedures. The primary outcomes were patient-reported time in severe pain measured on a numerical analogue scale from 0 to 100% and patient-reported satisfaction with pain relief during the first week following discharge. Data were collected by in-hospital chart review and patient telephone interview 1 week after discharge. Results: The study recruited 4273 patients from 144 centres in 25 countries; 1311 patients (30.7%) were prescribed opioid analgesia at discharge. Patients reported being in severe pain for 10 (i.q.r. 1-30)% of the first week after discharge and rated satisfaction with analgesia as 90 (i.q.r. 80-100) of 100. After adjustment for confounders, opioid analgesia on discharge was independently associated with increased pain severity (risk ratio 1.52, 95% c.i. 1.31 to 1.76; P < 0.001) and re-presentation to healthcare providers owing to sideeffects of medication (OR 2.38, 95% c.i. 1.36 to 4.17; P = 0.004), but not with satisfaction with analgesia (β coefficient 0.92, 95% c.i. -1.52 to 3.36; P = 0.468) compared with opioid-free analgesia. Although opioid prescribing varied greatly between high-income and lowand middle-income countries, patient-reported outcomes did not. Conclusion: Opioid analgesia prescription on surgical discharge is associated with a higher risk of re-presentation owing to side-effects of medication and increased patient-reported pain, but not with changes in patient-reported satisfaction. Opioid-free discharge analgesia should be adopted routinely
