Three Approaches in Islamic Science: Case Studies in Iran

Abstract

In this paper, some attempts in Iran in the realm of empirical religious (Islamic) sciences are discussed. Two approaches on Islamic science are formulated and discussed which are called inferential and complementary approaches. The inferential approach could be criticized on both religious and scientific sides. On the religious side, this approach does not seem defensible on the ground that religion has particular function consisting of leading humans toward God. On the scientific side, this approach leads to the unacceptable result of changing religious statements into hypothesis. The complementary approach tries to compensate gaps of scientific theories by adding religious scientific points. The main problem with this approach is that it leads to providing incoherent wholes under the title of Islamic sciences.

Instead of these two approaches, an alternative view is suggested called the constructive approach. According to this view, an Islamic science requires that, its teachings are regarded as underlying presuppositions of scientific theory; some hypotheses are suggested inspired by those teachings; these hypotheses are examined and experimental evidence are sought; supporting evidence could be collected; and a systematic whole could be provided by the collective evidence.

Keywords: religion sciences, inferential approach, complementary approach, constructive approach