The single monad model is a cosmological theory that is based on the Islamic philosophy of Ibn Arabi, who was a 13th century mystic and scholar. The theory tries to explain how the multiplicity of the universe emerges from the absolute oneness of God, who is the only real being. The theory also claims that this model can reconcile the apparent contradictions between the Islamic doctrine of oneness and the scientific observations of diversity and complexity in the cosmos².
The single monad model relates to other theories of perception in several ways. Some of them are:
- The model views **perception as a mode of witnessing God's presence** in the single point of existence, called the monad, which is constantly changing its state according to God's will. The model suggests that perception is not a passive or mechanical process, but an active and creative one, that involves both the perceiver and the perceived as aspects of God's manifestation². This is similar to some approaches in phenomenology and existentialism, such as Husserl's transcendental phenomenology and Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology, which also view perception as a mode of being-in-the-world that involves both the subject and the object as co-constitutive of meaning¹.
- The model incorporates the **Sufi concept of wahdat al-shuhud** (the oneness of witnessing), which states that there are different degrees of perception and awareness of God's presence in creation, depending on the perceiver's level of spiritual development and purification. The model suggests that perception is not a fixed or objective reality, but a relative and subjective one, that varies according to the perceiver's state of consciousness². This is similar to some approaches in psychology and neuroscience, such as Piaget's theory of cognitive development and Damasio's theory of levels of consciousness, which also view perception as a developmental and hierarchical process that depends on the perceiver's cognitive and neural structures¹.
- The model introduces a **time-time geometry**, which states that space and time are truly unified, and that each instant of time contains a full week of creation, called the intertwining days. The model suggests that perception is not a static or discrete phenomenon, but a dynamic and continuous one, that involves both the past and the future as aspects of the present². This is similar to some approaches in physics and cosmology, such as quantum loop gravity and causal dynamical triangulation, which also view perception as a quantum and causal phenomenon that involves both retrocausality and precognition³.
These are some of the ways that the single monad model relates to other theories of perception. Of course, this is a brief and simplified summary, and there are many more aspects and details that can be explored. If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating theory, you can check out [this website](^4^) or [this book](^5^) for more information.
Source: Source: Conversation with Bing, 04/10/2023
(1) Multi-Modal Perception – General Psychology - University of Central .... https://pressbooks.online.ucf.edu/lumenpsychology/chapter/multi-modal-perception/ .
(2) Theories of perception and the concept of structure: A review and .... https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2006-09610-000 .
(3) Monadology - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monadology .
(4) The Single Monad Model of the Cosmos. http://www.smonad.com/monad/ .
(5) The Single Monad Model of the Cosmos - Mohamed Haj Yousef. https://faculty.uaeu.ac.ae/mhajyousef/books/single_monad_model.html .
(6) undefined. https://doi.org/10.1037/11116-000 .