The Cognitive Science of Religion and Islamic Theology

An Analysis Based on the Works of al-Ghazālī

Bibliographic Data

ID8201008
AuthorsAria 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, corresponding author)
Year2020
Volume88
Issue4
Pages1087-1120
Publication date2020-12-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of the American Academy of Religion (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-7189 • E-ISSN: 1477-4585
PublisherOxford University Press (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1093/jaarel/lfaa059
OpenAlexW3108682440
LanguageEN
Citations received6
References cited45

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