What and How Can We Learn from the Quran? A Critical Rationalist Perspective

  • Ali Paya The Islamic College, High Road, London, UK.

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to introduce a critical rationalist approach to studying the Quran. Following a short introduction, I shall introduce the main tenets of critical rationalism with a short account of religion according to this approach. The paper shall then briefly discuss a cluster of related notions, namely, ‘algorithmic compressibility,’ ‘complex systems,’ and ‘logical depth.’ Taking stock from this discussion, the writer argues that the Quran is a complex system with a significant logical depth and that its message can be best understood with a critical rationalist approach. Further, This approach will be analysed vis-a-vis the method of istintaq (interrogation) introduced by ‘Ali b. Abu Talib in Nahj al-Balagah. Finally, some possible criticism to the critical rationalist approach to studying the Quran will be considered.

Author Biography

Ali Paya, The Islamic College, High Road, London, UK.
Professor of Philosophy, Department of Philosophy, The Islamic College, High Road, London, UK.
Published
2018-02-19
How to Cite
Paya, A. (2018). What and How Can We Learn from the Quran? A Critical Rationalist Perspective. Islamic Studies, 53(3-4). Retrieved from http://irigs.iiu.edu.pk:64447/ojs/index.php/islamicstudies/article/view/157
Issue
Vol. 53 No. 3-4 (2014): Islamic Studies
Section
Articles

Publication of material in the journal means that the author assigns copyright to Islamic Studies including the rights to electronic publishing. This is, inter alia, to ensure the efficient handling of requests from third parties to reproduce articles as well as to enable wide dissemination of the published material. Authors may, however, use their material in other publications acknowledging Islamic Studies as the original place of publication. Requests by third parties for permission to reprint should be addressed to the Editor, Islamic Studies.