An Epistemic View of Late Ash’arite Theology through the Introductions to Its Composition

Abstract

  The research aims to direct the cognitive gaze to the introductions of late kalam  (theological) books within the Ash'arite school to activate the self-criticism movement, pointing to its features as one of the entrances to revival and renewal. It targeted these methodological introductions which aimed at defining the concept of science, its subject, cognitive and methodological framework, goals and significance, as well as its origin and the context of its development. The researcher applied the descriptive historical method to identify the most prominent, analytical and critical transformations and the analytical and critical approach to highlight weaknesses and shortcomings. This is when dealing with topics that monitor the epistemological background of theological introductions and their cognitive nature, in addition to examining the problem of the topic and the question of overlap and complementarity, and the features of the method of rational inference and critical consideration among theologians. One of the most important conclusions is that this type of consideration of theological compositions opens up new horizons for us through openness to epistemology from the perspective of the jurisprudence of sciences, as well as through activating the movement of criticism of kalam (theological) practice as a contribution to renewing and developing composition methods, and in preparation for the formulation of the “Philosophy of Theology” project.