معرفت

An Inquiry into the Views and  System of Thought of Taha ‘Abdurrahman, a Moroccan Contemporary Thinker                                 by Hadi Beigi Malekabad

Abstract

The present paper discusses the scientific and political life of Dr. Taha ‘Abdurrahman, a contemporary Moroccan thinker, and expounds his most important views and macro intellectual plans. The author introduces an analytical – critical account of the status this thinker enjoys in the Arabic – Islamic thinking world and investigates his epistemological thoughts providing an inquiry into his system of thought. This paper investigates his views through an analytical approach and documentary survey, offering an analytical-critical view of some aspects of his thoughts.

Key words: epistemological problem, the Islamic west, the Islamic east, modernism, linguistics, Taha Abdurrahman, Jabiri.   

Communication in Social Life; Models, Effects and Harms

by Ali Husseinzadeh

Abstract

There is a direct relationship between the evaluation of men’s behavior in social life and their models of behavior. The present paper tries to identify the motive, negative and positive effects of each of these models and the best communicative model. The research uses an analytical-descriptive method which is based on religious, psychological, and sociological data. The main findings of the research show that there is a kind of negative modesty in the compromising behavior, which, with the aim of avoiding tension and winning admiration,  leads to lack of identity, dissatisfaction, and creation of negative feelings. Exercising selfish behavior and using one's power motivate aggressive behavior which brings about a sense of sinfulness and loss of intimacy. A considerable freedom of expressing one's feelings and resistance against people’s inappropriate demands is an indication of one's courageous behavior, and the best way to attain this behavior is to resort to “my (ego) message” through which one can build the best communicative model by recognizing the mistakes which occur while sending the message.

Key words: communication, aggressiveness, compromising, courageousness, expectations, satisfaction.

The Development of Scientific Products in Universities and the Priority of Cultural and Managerial Approaches; a Study of the Views of Faculty Members of Islamic Azad University-Qom                                                         by Siefollah Fazlollahi

Abstract

The present research aims at identifying and classifying the cultural and managerial approaches to developing scientific products in the universities in the light of the views of the faculty members of the Islamic Azad University-Qom. The research is a descriptive survey and documentary analysis, that observes correlation. The statistical population included all faculty members and sixty of them were selected as statistical sample and randomly classified in a simple method. A researcher –made questionnaire with face validity conforming to the viewpoints of specialists in different scientific subjects was used to gather data. The mean, Spearman’s rank correlation, Kendall’s test, and Fisher’s Z-transformation were used to analyze the data. The research findings show that the approaches which have the highest priority are: formulating  macro scientific plan and strategy, solving thinkers’ livelihood problems, applying clear and realistic policies for research activities, establishing clear goals based on the interaction between science and society, adducing cultural grounds for the creation of a scientific society in its real sense and institutionalizing the science, entrusting the management of scientific centers to educated individuals having a  scientific course of action, avoiding difficult and preventive administrative regulations specially those related to the employment of elites, increasing the sabbatical opportunities, constancy of governance of law instead of governance of personal inclinations, improving the use of resources and facilities, and avoiding political and factional management in scientific centers.

Key words: cultural and managerial approaches, development and creation of science, universities, faculty members, Islamic Azad University.

The status of Justice in the Dignity – Orientated State of Imam Mahdi, according to the Supreme Leader (an approach to a preparatory state)

Rahmat Allah Marzooghi – Marzie Morovvati

Abstract

Present inquiry aims at explaining the indices of justice-orientated state according to the Supreme Leader. The research method is documentary with a theoretical approach. The research findings show that economic, legislative, judicial, executive, political, educational and cultural justice are the most important indices of justice according to the Supreme Leader. Furthermore, according to the Supreme Leader, equal distribution of wealth and equality of opportunities, equal  access to Muslims public treasury for all, legislation according to Islamic rules and human dignity, efficient, resolute, consistent, and just judicial system, decisive struggle against any kind of corruption, impartiality in legislation, granting people political rights, modification of executive management system, nomination of qualified individuals to important and key officials of the country, preparing the grounds for people participation in political affairs, enjoying the right of speech, right of criticism, right of being elected and electing, providing just educational and cultural opportunities according to capacities, etc are among the effective modus operandi to apply the indices of justice in order to  prepare the ground for the  realization of dignity- orientated state of al-Mahdi.

Key words: Mahdism, justice, generosity- orientated state, indicators, preparing the ground, Supreme Leader

Humanities in a State of Cultural Interaction               by Monirah Seyyed Mazhari

Abstract

Using a documentary – analytical approach, the present paper discusses the idea that the condition of humanities in the countries which are pursuing modernity is a symbol of the way of interaction between the elements of modern culture and those of pre-modern culture. Therefore, it can be said that the role and position of humanities in these countries should be congruent with the cultural and social structure and with the way of fitting the elements of modernity with their historical precedents. The research concludes that the confusion or minimal effect of humanities on social developments of such countries indicates the crisis and incompatibility between the elements which are embodied in the life of these nations.

Key words: humanities, cultural interaction, cultural precedents, modernity.

Religious Intellectualism in Iran: An Inquiry into Martyr Avini's Views     

by Parvaneh ‘Azizi

Abstract

Religious intellectualism is a new term which entered political literature after the Islamic Revolution of Iran and is divided into different trends and groups, and it has eclectic thoughts. By providing a new interpretation and perception of religion, religious intellectuals tried to both preserve the essence and substance of religion and solve the basic problems of intellectualism in the framework of religion.  Among these problems are “precedent and modernization”, “religion and secularism”, “we and the West”, and “government and authority”. The present paper deals with this issue, using a documentary- analytical approach.

Martyr Avini is one of the religious intellectuals who have discussed and studied the basic problems of intellectualism through a maximum view of religion. He focuses on traditions, believes that religion has a maximum role in politics and society, and criticizes radical modernity.  Furthermore, he criticizes the western radical opinion, reproaches and blames intellectuals and their attitude towards social realities and people, and believes that religious democracy (the system of the guardianship of jurist) is the best type of government.

Key words: religious intellectualism, martyr Avini, precedent and modernization, religion and secularism, we and the West, government and authority.

Television and Religion: Challenges and Solutions                     By Rafi’al-din Isma’eeli

Abstract

There have always been discussions about the challenging disputes between modern media- like television- and religion. After the Islamic Revolution of Iran, these disputes caused many concerns for researchers who work in this field. In the few past years, there has been a lot of attempts to solve these disputes, but fundamental differences of opinion remained, especially between researchers of religion and researchers of media and communications. Having defined religion and explained the features and functions of television, the present paper, using an analytical method, examines three famous theories about this question; namely, instrumentalism, essentialism, and interactionism, then discusses the basic challenges in this field and finally provides some solutions.

Key words: television, religion, media, communications

Content Analysis of Quranic Verses and Traditions Related to the Theory of Rational Selection                                                          by Ibrahim  ‘Abbaspoor

Abstract

The present research investigates the relationship of religion and Islamic basic fundamentals with social sciences. The aim is to find answers from the glorious Quran and the traditions of the Prophet’s Household (peace be upon them) to the questions which have been raised in different versions of the approach to rational selection about the variables which influence the definition, formation and control of deviation. Therefore, the basic questions and topics which are deal with in these versions are selected and classified according to their subject matters. These categories are presented in the form of questions for the Quran and Shiite hadith resources to answer, and the outcome is organized by providing a description of the views of the Quran and traditions related to them. The research offers a qualitative – descriptive content analysis, and its minor aim is “to analyze the content of the Quran and traditions and Qur'an commentaries”. The article aims at introducing a description of the views of the Quran and Shiite traditions about the functional aspects of “rational selection” in defining, explaining and controlling  deviation.

Key words: Quranic verses, Shiite traditions, content analysis, explanation, control, rational selection, choice, definition of deviation.

Symbolic Violence in Family                                                   by Qasim Ebrahimipoor

Abstract

Domestic violence has different types including murder, assault and battery, insult and humiliation. However, there are more serious types of violence which, due to cultural hegemony, prevents even those who undergo them from considering them as violence. The present research seeks to investigate the most important factors of wife abuse and mistreatment to offer the religious perspective and uses an analytical approach to investigating religious texts. Compelling the wife to do the housework and considering ugly such things like woman's asking wages for lawful works and for her dower the symbolic violence contributes to many types of violence. But, if according to collective opinion a wife's works are taken to be a sort of favor and kindness rather than duties, this will have three important effects: first, the house work will not be expected to be the wife's duty; second, she will not be mistreated or held accountable for not doing it; third she will be worthy of appreciation when she does it. Accordingly, the best strategy to reduce domestic violence is to socially realize religious norms.

Key words: sex, gender, violence, family, Islam, symbolic violence, woman's rights.

The Fragrance of Divine Mercy (1)              by Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Misbah

Abstract

The eternal God is absolutely generous and has unlimited mercy. All creatures in the universe enjoy this mercy according to their capacities. The Most High God bestows his grace and kindness on his servants freely and without imposing obligations on them. People however, show ingratitude for God’s blessings and are disobedient. In return, Divine clemency veils our defects and protects us from being held in infamy. Therefore, religious doctrines put special emphasis on seeking forgiveness from God.

Everyone, even the Fourteen Infallibles (on whom be peace), stands before God and seek forgiveness for one's negligence congruent with one's knowledge and degree of perfection. Ordinary servants ask for Divine pardon because of their sins and disobedience; although the Fourteen Infallibles (on whom be peace) never perpetrate major and minor sins and do the recommendable, they ask for Divine pardon because of their engagement with worldly affairs and their needs which are inevitable.

The present paper discusses some exquisite issues on repentance and intercession in detail.

Key words: repentance, intercession, Divine mercy, Divine wrath, Divine attributes.