Title : Epistemological study of moral propositions in Islamic thought

Student : Majid Abolghasemzadeh

supervisor : Dr. Hasan Moallemi

Advisor : Dr. Mahmud Fathalikhani / Dr .Mojtaba Mesbah

Grade : PHD

Years : 2014

Abstract :

Ethical epistemology, as one of the meta-ethical issues and a kind of epistemology bound or compared with a rational and external view, epistemologically examining moral concepts and theorems.

Numerous epistemological issues of moral propositions can be presented, the most important of which is the justification or positive criterion of their truth.

This dissertation, which has followed the theory of moral judicial self-evidence, in a completely rational and epistemological way, has proved first the rationality and then the certainty of moral propositions, and finally has considered some moral propositions as axioms.  

A relatively comprehensive examination of the works and opinions of Islamic scholars, especially those who believe in self-evidence, it is concluded that the two propositions “justice is good” and “oppression is evil” are of the primary type, which based on the theory of ethical fundamentalism, all kinds of ethical and theoretical knowledge are based on these two basic theorems.

Additionally, man finds some examples of these two theorems in person.

Hence, some moral propositions are considered to be as self-conscience.

These propositions are both inherently justified and true and do not need to be proven.

With the special interpretation of the theory of self-evidence, it is possible to defend this theory well and to respond to the contrary views; That is, the believers of the legitimacy, popularity, and theoretical nature of moral propositions.

Also, some moral propositions are fixed and absolute under any circumstances.

However, others change in proportion to the change of circumstances, but because these conditions are real, it does not lead to relativism.

Keywords: epistemology of moral propositions, rationality of moral proposition, certainty of moral theorems, self-evidence of moral theorems, absoluteness of moral propositions