What is Ethical Rationalism in Islamic Thought? A New Perspective
This lecture argues against the dominant narrative that the debate on ethical theory in classical Islamic thought can be reduced to a conflict between ethical rationalism and ethical anti-rationalism, or more simply put, a conflict between reason and revelation. Focusing on the Ash‘arī and Mu‘tazilī schools of thought, the speaker will analyse the concept of ‘intellect’ (‘aql) and examine its complex theoretical contexts, chronological development, and application in ethical and legal epistemology.