Debate on ‘Rationality and Moderation in Contemporary World’

On the occasion of the World Philosophy Day (November 17), the Institute for Research in Philosophy (IRIP) in Tehran is hosting a meeting of prominent philosophers and researchers in philosophy.

The meeting on ‘Rationality and Moderation in Contemporary World’ will be held November 14 and is to be attended by celebrated Iranian philosopher Gholam Hussein Ebrahimi Dinani, 81, Fars News Agency reported.

Ebrahimi is best known for his research and writings about illuminationism, a doctrine according to which the process of human thought needs to be aided by divine grace.

He specializes in works and thoughts of Iranian philosopher Suhrawardi (1154-1191) who is considered the founder of Iranian school of illuminationism.

The three-time winner of Book of the Year award in Iran, Ebrahimi is an academic staff member of the University of Tehran, Tarbiat Modares University and Ferdowsi University of Mashhad. His best received books are Wits and Wisdom and Nature and Destiny.

Iranian university teacher and scholar Mostafa Mohaqiq Damad, 70, is another participant at the meeting. Educated in Islamic philosophy, theology and jurisprudence, he once said: “There are no irreconcilable differences between the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and Islamic jurisprudence, that no compulsion is permissible in religion...”

Damad, representing Shia Islam, had delivered an address on October 14, 2010, to the Synod of Bishops’ Special Assembly for the Middle East at the Vatican (October 10-24). He spoke of the rapport between Islam and Christianity as “founded upon friendship, respect and mutual understanding.” Such rapport is important for global peace.

  Key Participants

American philosopher Gary Carl (Muhammad) Legenhausen, 62, is also among the participants. He teaches at the Qom-based Imam Khomeini Institute for Research and Education, headed by Ayatollah Mohammad Taqi Mesbah Yazdi, 81.

Legenhausen converted to Islam in 1983. He wrote a book titled Islam and Religious Pluralism and is an advocate of interfaith dialogue. He serves on the advisory board of the Society for Religious Studies in Qom. He holds a Ph.D. in philosophy from Rice University in Houston.

The event also hosts Iranian sociologist Yousef Abazari, 63, a professor at University of Tehran.

Cleric Abdol Hussein Khosrow Panah, 48, head of IRIP, will moderate the meeting.  He has authored over 30 books and 150 scholarly articles.

Researcher in Islamic philosophy Mohsen Javadi, an expert in Sufism, spiritual philosophy, ethics and Kalam (Islamic science of discourse), will also participate.  ‘Faith and Reason in Shia Thought’, Mulla Sadra on Practical Intellect’,  ‘Spiritual Medicine in Muslim World with Special Emphasis on Razi’s Book’ are among Javadi’s publications.

Scholars will debate topics such as  ‘Wisdom and Rationality in Edicts of (philosopher) Mohammad Hussein Tabatabai’ (1903-1981), ‘Rationality and Moderation in Sharia  (Islamic law)’, Moderation from Sociological Point of View’, ‘Moderation from Ethical Point of View’ and ‘Rationality in Monotheism’.

IRIP is located at No. 4, Arakelian Alley, Valiasr Avenue.