Explain clearly and briefly, in your own words, what Ghazali means by “certain knowledge”. Which of your own beliefs do you think match this definition of “certain knowledge”? (Hint: you might want to consider your beliefs about the physical objects around you, your beliefs about what you read in the newspapers, your beliefs about other people’s intentions, your beliefs about history, your beliefs about science, and so on.)

According to Ghazali, certain knowledge should present the thing that is known in such a manner that no one will doubt it. It should be so real that even when arguments are made against it, there is no proof of error or deception. If an argument arises about something, that cannot be determined as certain knowledge. Certain knowledge can only be established when no argument can cause an individual to doubt it or its existence. One of the beliefs that I have certain knowledge of is that there is God. Although there have been numerous cases and research aimed at discrediting His existence, no one has so far proved that God does not exist. People may choose not to believe in religion, but I have no reason to doubt that He exists. The stories of creation and the Bible that I have learned have helped to enhance my belief that He exists. It is said when we are going through difficult periods, God will always guide us, and we should pray to him to meet our daily needs. Prayers have been emphasized to be the mode of communication that humans have communicated with God. I have gone through I have always believed in prayers and through this, most of my needs have been fulfilled. Although God does not exist as a human and cannot be seen, the actions and things that I have witnessed so far can only be credited to Him. My friends and family believe in God, and this has strengthened my belief in his existence. For me to believe that God does not exist, an individual needs to provide sufficient credible evidence.

Explain clearly and briefly, in your own words, what Ghazali means by “sensory beliefs” and what he means by “necessary beliefs”. Then explain clearly and briefly, in your own words, the reasoning that leads Ghazali to conclude that his sensory beliefs do not amount to certain knowledge.

Sensory beliefs are what are perceived different senses at the moment of seeing an action. A sense may understand an action based on what happens the moment. This understanding may not be right as the action may change after some time, and this makes the sensory belief unreliable.  Necessary beliefs also referred to as rational beliefs prove that sensory beliefs are wrong as they make an individual understand something. Sensory beliefs cannot be perceived as certain knowledge because it can be easily disputed by necessary belief. Sensory beliefs do not prove beyond any reasonable doubt that an action is real and cannot be argued against. According to Ghazali, sensory beliefs do not have concrete evidence to ensure that they can be believed by everyone. They believe something based on what has been observed at the moment without critically analyzing it and understanding how it was before and how it will be after an action. An example of a shadow is used to depict sensory beliefs. If an individual uses sensory beliefs to believe that shadows do not move based on when they look at it, they belief will be instilled in their minds, and it might be hard to convince them otherwise. Sensory beliefs cannot be believed because they do not analyze a situation carefully before making a conclusion. Proof that includes the use of principles is required for individuals to create certain knowledge about a situation. Sensory knowledge only relies on the senses to make a judgment, and this means that it is not conclusive. The conclusion is made at the moment an individual performs it, and it is bound to change with time. 

Explain clearly and briefly, in your own words, the reasoning that leads Ghazali to conclude that his necessary beliefs do not amount to certain knowledge

Necessary beliefs do not amount to certain knowledge is because they can also be argued against to prove that they are not real. Because necessary belief can prove that sensory belief is wrong, it is also possible that another belief can discredit necessary beliefs. In such a case where necessary beliefs argue against sensory beliefs and prove that shadows move, it is also possible for another belief to establish that necessary belief is wrong and provide a different conclusion. For every situation or action that happens, a new strategy may be used to argue against a certain belief. Various principles can be used to establish a belief wrong, and this may not be known until a certain belief is established. If any situation or action can be dismissed by use of evidence, it stops being a belief and is simply seen as an action that should not be used as certain knowledge. Changes happen on a regular basis, and it is easy for certain beliefs to be easily dismissed by use of a new principle. Necessary beliefs may be seen as the correct belief by people because they help them understand a different concept by analyzing why the other belief should not be seen as the final belief. The ability of necessary beliefs to question sensory beliefs makes people to question whether this form of belief can be trusted. People will always lookout for the first principle that can be used against necessary beliefs to understand why it should not be trusted. People who believe in sensory beliefs perceive it to be the truth until they are exposed to necessary beliefs that give them doubts.

Does Ghazali have good reasons for thinking that his sensory beliefs and necessary beliefs do not amount to certain knowledge? Why or why not?

Ghazali is justified to believe that sensory beliefs do not amount to certain knowledge. Certain knowledge is only adopted when a concept or idea cannot be proved wrong, regardless of any information that is presented against it. In sensory benefits, it is possible to discredit the information provided because it uses the senses and what they experience at that specific time. Sensory beliefs are easily proved wrong by necessary beliefs that explain to people that the outcome is different. Necessary skills help people to understand that sensory skills are wrong, and this makes it hard to use it as certain knowledge. The fact that it can be used against another beliefs makes creates doubt in people about its originality. It is believed that since it can be used to prove that sensory beliefs are wrong, another principle may also exist that can be used to prove that necessary belief is also wrong. Ghazali is also justified because both beliefs do not present reliable and concrete evidence that can confirm their truth. Before people establish a belief to be certain knowledge, they ask all the important questions that may make the belief to be doubted. If all the answers can be answered in a satisfactory manner, the belief can be considered as certain knowledge. For individuals to consider necessary beliefs, they should have understood that there is no concept or principle that can be used to refute it. Ghazali’s belief may also not be justified because the beliefs may not have any other logical explanation that can explain them. In various cases, it may not be easy to clarify why things are the way they are.

Ghazali writes “This disease defied all cure, and lasted for almost two months…” Explain clearly and briefly, in your own words, the nature of the “disease” about which Ghazali is talking here. What exactly is the problem Ghazali faces, and why is it so difficult for him to solve the problem? (Do not discuss the “cure” that Ghazali eventually funds for this disease.)

Ghazali refers to skepticism as a disease that had lasted for almost two months. During the time that he was “sick”, he would question everything that was presented to him, including those with certain knowledge, and would seek to have concrete and reliable evidence to understand it better. He questioned every action or theory that he would come across, and he would try to understand that there was no proof that would be used to discredit the information. Through his actions, he believed that the information that was presented to him was wrong, and the right information must be discovered. This was a problem for him because he could not believe the information obtained even when it was certain knowledge. He only believed in the information that he had researched on himself. He believed that he was the only one that could give relevant information, even when they may have been similar to those presented by other people. He states that the “disease” was as a result a light that God, who is the most high, had cast into his heart. Although he did not defy the beliefs through expression or speech, the problem made him questions all the notions that were an actual fact and certain knowledge. The doubts that he has developed about actual notions and concepts make the problem hard to solve because he cannot seem to trust anything. If a person finds it hard to believe in anything, it becomes a challenge as one does not know how to approach the condition. In such a case, the condition can only be allowed to continue with the hope that it will end.