The Function of Mental Spaces and Conceptual Blending on the Cognition of Divine Attributes in the Quran within the Framework of Fauconnier and Turner's Theory

Abstract

The Holy Quran, as the miracle of speech and in the form of a divine book, has been used to elevate humanity's religious perspective. In the path of developing the cognition of God's attributes and reforming human beliefs in this domain, it employs unique literature. One of the Quranic innovations is the use of the audience's mental spaces and conceptual blending. This concept was proposed and presented by Fauconnier and Turner in cognitive concepts. Examining the application of mental spaces and conceptual blending in the Quran, especially in verses related to divine attributes, plays an important role in the correct human understanding of these transcendental subjects. Finally, conceptual blending and semantic mapping for conveying concepts to the audience are also considered in the present study. The present study, using a descriptive-analytical method and within the framework of semantic analysis, aims to examine the mental spaces and conceptual blending presented in the two attributes of "Creation (Khalq) and nearness (Qurb)" in the verses of the Quran. Since the human mind is sometimes mixed with polytheistic beliefs, and these attributes are extra-material and discussed within the absolute divine rule, understanding them is difficult and challenging for humans. However, the application of the conceptual blending method in this type of subject facilitates understanding for the audience. In conclusion, it is found that in examining the attributes associated with the two above attributes, a conceptual blending with the domains related to these attributes has taken place, which plays an important role in convincing the deniers of resurrection and disbelievers in divine Lordship. In other words, one of the Quran's methods in proving the principles of faith is through mapping human mental experiences with the input domain of divine attributes. These conceptual blends elevate their mental abstraction in the face of supernatural and non-experimental subjects, such as the cognition of God and belief in the occurrence of the Day of Judgment. This knowledge strengthens faith components and serves as evidence for disbelievers.