A Shiite innatist conception of reason, and what it can do for religious education (RE)

Abstract

In this study I have argued for a theoretical foundation of a coherent and defensible religious education (RE). It has been said that for RE to be accepted as a reasonable subject matter it should be researchable. But for a subject to be researchable, or research based, it needs to be supported by reason, a kind of reason that have a public and universal character. On the other hand we need a conception of religion being capable of giving this conception of reason, and adapting itself with its teachings. I have argued that the Shiite idea of innatism is a good base for providing a theory of reason upon which reason, while having an important role in human life, and an intrinsic connection with religion, has some limitations that can only be compensated by appealing to divine aspect of life and the path of God, namely religion. To show that the Shiite innatist conception of reason can be a good starting point I have argued that, this concept of reason comes from the Shiite belief that humans have a shared nature upon which they have the same emotional and cognitive view. So I have discussed the place and the weight of reason in Islam and Shiism, the idea of innatism, the innatist conception of reason, and connecting reason and religion by suggesting the innate human nature as the same root for both of them. By suggesting the same divine nature for reason and religious belief, I argued that rational principles are at the same time the divine rules for having the best sort of life. That is reason and religion have the shared tasks for following the intrinsic virtues. So we can conclude that a true religious belief, which is supported by reason, as Shiite belief seems to be, can be a reasonable base for making a religious education system. In this work I have referred mostly to Allamah Tabatabaei and Morteza Mutahhari, as the most influential contemporary Shiite scholars, to explain the Shiite's belief as to the nature of reason and religion.