An Inquiry into the Effects of the Delay in Executing “an Eye for an Eye”
Fazil Hesami*
Abstract
In ١٣٨٥-١٣٨٦ (٢٠٠٦-٢٠٠٧) a research was conducted in Qom and Arak in
order to assess and analyze the effects of delay in executing “an eye
for an eye” penalty on the families of the sentenced. To this end,
questions were put to the spouses, children, parents, siblings, friends,
and neighbors of those who were sentenced to examine these effects and
after the answers had been gathered, tables of two-dimensional and
descriptive analyses of the data were drawn up by means of SPSS
software. Using Wilcoxon method, one of the non-parametric methods to
compare two dependent variables, the conditions of the families before
and after the execution were assessed and compared. Some hypotheses were
confirmed and others were rejected after analyzing these comparisons
and level of significance of each of them. The research findings show
that although long imprisonment had undesirable effects on the families
of those who were sentenced, most of their spouses were content with the
delay in executing the retaliation, hoping that the families of those
who were murdered will pardon them.
The Problems of Modern World in Max Weber's View
Amanollah Fasihi*
Abstract
The present paper investigates the condition of modern culture and its
problems from the viewpoint of Max Weber, one of the twentieth century
thinkers. According to him, the acquaintance with the problems of modern
culture has a strong relationship with the acquaintance with
rationality, because modern culture is fundamentally based on
rationality. Therefore, his views about rationality have been reviewed
and his views about the features of modern nationality have been
analyzed. According to him, modern culture faced serious problems after
the infiltration of instrumental rationality into science, knowledge,
semantic system, commitments, and motivation. The most serious of these
problems were disenchantment, relativism and being trapped in an iron
cage (of rationality). This paper tries to expound the problems and
restrictions of modern world form the viewpoint of Max Weber, because he
has been well acquainted with these problems. The viewpoints of many of
the subsequent critics have roots in Max Weber's views and thoughts.
Therefore, it is very necessary to understand his viewpoint on modern
and developed world. A qualitative method of text commentary and
documentary method have been used in this research.
Key words: rationality, culture, disenchantment, concept, values.
A Review and Criticism of the Presuppositions of Secularization Theory
Sadiq Golestani*
Abstract
The domain and social role of religion especially its
meta-institutional position have long been the subject of inquiry in
such fields as theology and sociology and the special concern of
thinkers. In this new world, which is referred to as the modern and
rational world, this topic has been a matter of dispute among many
writers. Some have minimized the role of religion, firmly denied the
relationship between religion and the world, and stressed the idea of
necessity of separating religion from public arena. Others, though do
not openly talk about the isolation of religion, believe that the
circumstances of modern world necessitate this isolation. In other
words, they consider the decline of the social role or religion and its
social isolation as a prerequisite for a modern world, and they name it
"secularization". Such a belief is based on some presuppositions which
have been analyzed and criticized in this article.
Key words: secularization, rationality, structural separation, Christianity, Islam.
A Critique of Ernesto Laclau's
and Chantal Mouffe's Theory of Discourse Analysis
Mohammad Taqi Moqaddami*
Abstract
Ernesto Laclau's and Chantal Mouffe's theory of discourse analysis proposed in their book, "Hegemony and socialist strategy",
is one of the new theories which can contribute to expounding and
analyzing the function of sociopolitical phenomena and promoting the
capacity of prevision, prediction and development – making in societies
by means of developing the significs (semantic theory) which consists of
a set of interrelated concepts and exploiting them for creating a
systematic structure. Discourse analysis, in terms of semantic theory
has a root in Saussurian structural linguistics and as a social theory;
it is a synthetic theory whose roots are detected in the ideas of such
thinkers as Jacques Derrida, Michel Foucault, Karl Marx, and Antonio
Gramsci. This theory, nevertheless, has some weakness, such as lack of
the effective linguistic tools to analyze and explain semantic
discrepancies. The present paper aims at providing a clear the
definition of discourse, the meanings it conveys and its philosophical,
ontological, and epistemological principles, and finally discussing the
criticisms made in the light of the perspective of Islamic theosophy
about it.
Key words: discourse, discourse analysis, identity, hegemony, singnifier and significance, articulation, power, politics.
Farabi and Habermas's Methodology
Salman Ali Rahimi*
Abstract
The question of knowledge acquisition and way of achieving true and
valid knowledge has long been of special concern to thinkers. The main
subjects discussed in epistemology are the nature of knowledge, the
domain of knowledge and the sources and methods of acquiring knowledge.
Over many centuries, these subjects have been discussed and investigated
from different angles. The development of new philosophical and
epistemological schools have enormously contributed to this subject and
new questions have been raised in methodology and epistemology. Using a
comparative method, the present paper tries to study the main important
issues in this field from Farabi and Habermas's viewpoints, two thinkers
coming from two different cultural and social backgrounds. There are
several similarities and differences between the intellectual and
scientific system of each of these thinkers. A comparative analysis of
their thoughts in epistemology, methodology and the challenges facing
this field could be useful and effective.
Key words: method, methodology, epistemology, knowledge, science, Farabi, Habermas.
A Critique of the Methodology of Habermas's "Communicative Action" Theory
Ibrahim 'Abbaspoor*
Abstract
Rationality is considered as one of the main elements of modernity.
Habermas is among the thinkers of Frankfurt Critical School who believes
that critical rationality dominates communicative rationality. He
proposes communicative rationality as a means for removing the
restrictions of modernity. As for his criterion for removing these
restrictions and gaining freedom in communicative rationality, due to
his limitations, it can be no more that public culture or common sense.
This is because he does not rely on the criteria of sacred intellect
which the highest form of intellect and is unable to provide value and
normative criteria based on practical intellect derived from sublime
human values and ideals. So, we could not help accepting Habermas's
criteria to free ourselves from these limitations if Islam had not
provided a criterion which goes beyond common sense, based on divine
teachings. Using the cognitive and ontological principles of Islam and
applying principal methodology, the present paper criticizes Habermas's
principles of communicative action and tries, through an overview of the
principles of his theory to find what, according to Islam, position it
has. In other words, does Islam accept the criteria proposed by Habermas
in his critical ideas by using communicative action for obtaining
freedom?
Key words: fundamental methodology, rational action, communicative action, life-world, system, society, freedom.
A Study of Opposite Reflections of Rationality in Theory of Culture in the Light of Max Weber's and 'Allamah Tabatabaii's Viewpoints
Asqar Eslami Tanha*
Abstract
Rationality is a means of recognizing the reality of mankind and one of
the important concepts of contemporary theory of culture. The main
question of this discussion is: what is the relationship between Max
Weber's view of rationality in his theory of culture and 'Allamah
Tabatabaii's view of rationality?; Taking into consideration the four
types of rationality (substantive, formal, theoretical, practical), the
author presents a logical-analytical review of the views of these two
thinkers. He concludes that although both of them accept substantive and
formal rationalities, there are fundamental differences between them in
terms of the content of rationality manifested in theory and practice.
Weber considers that rationality in everyday life is a reflection of a
merely pragmatic and arbitrary view, i.e., selecting the most
appropriate means for achieving one’s aim. He considers that modern
world is a world where instrumental rationality has determined western
man's social world by dominating all the social aspects of his life.
Conversely, according to 'Allamah Tabatabaii's view, rationality is
inseparably linked to man’s sound original nature. Therefore, man should
meet all his needs and instincts and avoid going to extremes so that
his nature (fitrah) may remain sound, his mind secure from
deviation and his conduct rational and then he can live an agreeable
life. Innate rationality contributes to framing an Islamic social life
(agreeable life) and furnishing an agreeable social world for believers.
Key words: rationality, theory of culture, instrumental rationality, innate rationality, Max Weber, 'Allamah Tabatabaii.
* PhD
Student of Quran and Social Sciences and faculty member of Islamic
thought and culture research center
[email protected]
A: ٢٠١١/١٠/٢٩ - R: ٢٠١٢/٢/١٨
* PhD student
of sociology, Tehran
University
fasihi٢٢١٩@gmail.com
A: ٢٠١٢/١/١٠ - R: ٢٠١٢/٤/٨
* Faculety
Member of IKI
[email protected]
A: ٢٠١٢/١/١٣ – R: ٢٠١٢/٤/١٤
* PhD student
of IKI
Moghadami٣٣@Gmail.com
A: ٢٠١٢/٢/١٢ - R: ٢٠١٢/٥/٥
* PhD student
of Imam Khomeini Educational and Research
Institute
Sm٢٠١٥@gmail.com
A: ٢٠١٢/١/١٥ - R: ٢٠١٢/٤/١٤
* PhD student
of IKI
[email protected]
A: ٢٠١٢/٢/٢٩ - R: ٢٠١٢/٥/٩
* PhD student
of Baqir Al-'Uloom
University
[email protected]
A: ٢٠١٢/١/١١ - R: ٢٠١٢/٥/١٥