An Explanation on Man's Free-will Based on the Nature of Soul or Mind in Islamic Philosophy and Contemporary Philosophy of Mind

The problem of man's choice and free-will has always occupied man's mind. Its importance lies in its relationship with accountability and ethics, in such a way that the basis of man's responsibility and morality is the existence of choice and free-will in man. This problem can be studied from different aspects one of which is taking into consideration the nature of soul. The nature of soul or mind is discussed in both Islamic philosophy and western philosophy, particularly the philosophy of mind, which is considered a branch of analytical philosophy. In this regard, philosophers have greatly discussed the question whether soul is immaterial and non-physical or material and physical? The present paper seeks to investigate the position of choice and, consequently, moral responsibility according to these two theories about soul.