The sixth is that they say: a particular celestial body occupies a particular position in the celestial sphere, although that position is identical to all other positions in reality and essence, since they regard the sphere as simple. Thus, rational thinkers have judged in these cases that something contingent occurs without a cause. Had the knowledge in question been self-evident, this would have been impossible, just as it would be impossible for any of them to judge that one is greater than two.

This refutes the claim of those who assert self-evidence in this matter. As for those who claim to establish it by inference, they must provide a proof, yet you have supplied no such proof. Even if you were to supply one, it would be invalidated by the cases we have enumerated.”

He raised other questions as well.

Then Abū ‘Abd Allāh al-Rāzī said:

“The reply follows two approaches. The first is general: our proof rests on two premises. One of them is: