The Philosophical Semantics of "Moral Obligation" from Allameh Tabatabai's Perspective and Its Relation to the Concept of I'tibariyyat and Its Impact on Theological Discussions in the Qur'an

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Shamsodin Goodarzi borojerdi 1
Masomeh Mohamadi 2
1 Graduate of Level Four in the field of Jurisprudence and Principles, Seminary of Qom, Lecturer at Farhangian University, Iran; (shamsodingodarzi@gmail.com).
2 Master's degree in Philosophy of Ethics, "Corresponding Author"; (mhdh1357@gmail.com).
Abstract
llameh Tabatabai, a distinguished Shiite exegete and a prominent thinker, is renowned for his profound and multifaceted intellectual contributions. His approach to the sociology of moral knowledge aligns with the tradition of social epistemology, which emphasizes that understanding certain types of knowledge depends on comprehending social phenomena and their interactions. Laws and social traditions, as foundational principles of knowledge, are exclusively derived through religion.Religious knowledge, particularly among exegetes and theologians, offers a perspective on existence, human destiny, and the paths toward spiritual elevation and divine proximity, expressed through divine and social traditions. This study employs a descriptive-analytical method to address the following questions: What is the philosophical process behind Allameh Tabatabai's understanding of moral obligation? How does this understanding influence his exegetical and theological approaches to the Qur'an? The findings reveal that Allameh Tabatabai's analysis of the concept of moral obligation is rooted in his theory of I'tibariyyat (constructive concepts) as detailed in his treatise on this subject. He bases his intellectual framework on the theory of purpose and the use of language to signify abstract meanings, connecting these to practical applications and criteria for truth. He further applies these foundations, using Al-Sakkaki’s theory of metaphor, in theological discussions.From Allameh Tabatabai’s perspective, "moral absolutism" asserts that the principles and ethical propositions in the Qur'an are independent of external factors, such as environmental, social, cultural, economic conditions, or the psychological state of the agent. Instead, moral goodness or badness is determined solely by the intrinsic elements of the subject and their actual consequences.

Keywords

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Quranic Studies
Volume 4, Issue 14
Autumn 2024
Pages 117-151