The Cognitive Science of Religion and Islamic Theology

An Analysis Based on the Works of al-Ghazālī

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8201008
AutoresAria Nakissa (0000-0003-0850-4708, Department of Jewish, Islamic, and Middle Eastern Studies and Department of Anthropology, Washington University in St. Louis, One Brookings Dr., St. Louis, MO, USA, autor de correspondencia)
Año2020
Volumen88
Número4
Páginas1087-1120
Fecha de publicación2020-12-31
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaJournal of the American Academy of Religion (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0002-7189 • E-ISSN: 1477-4585
EditorialOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/jaarel/lfaa059
OpenAlexW3108682440
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas6
Referencias citadas45

Specialists in Islamic studies have taken virtually no interest in the influential emerging field of cognitive science of religion (CSR). The present article addresses this problem by considering how insights from CSR can be used to reconceptualize classical Islamic theology. The article analyzes a number of theological topics, including predestination and the uncreated Qurʾān. However, it focuses on five key Islamic theological claims, namely (1) God is a single first cause who brings the universe into being; (2) God lacks an anthropomorphic body; (3) it is possible to arrive at some knowledge of God independently of scripture through human nature (fiṭra) and reason; (4) God is a bringer of benefit and harm, thereby rewarding, punishing, testing, and blessing human beings; and (5) prophethood exists and it is proven through miracles. In analyzing the preceding theological issues, the article utilizes the Arabic writings of the renowned medieval theologian Abū Ḥāmid al-Ghazālī

Arabic · Blessing · Cognition · Cognitive science of religion · Epistemology · Harm · Islam · Key (lock) · Predestination · Sociology · Theology · Computer Science · Education and Islamic Studies · Families in Therapy and Culture · Medieval and Classical Philosophy · Philosophy · Psychology · Religious studies · Social Psychology