1.2.2 Māturīdī, Kitāb al-Tawḥīd

Abu Mansur Maturidi (d. 944) proposes a theory of knowledge in his theological Treatise on Divine Unicity or Kitāb al-Tawḥīd. According to Maturidi, if every group were to rely simply on its own traditions as authorities for the truthfulness of their creeds, there would be no way to mediate between them. For that, one must appeal to reason that is universally and independently accessible to all parties.

Guiding Questions:

• How does Maturidi answer the question we raised in learning material 1.1.3? That is, can we escape circular reasoning in philosophy and/or theology?
• Is his answer, which is to turn to reason independent of revelation, convincing?
• What theoretical issues do you think emerge from this perspective on the relationship between reason and revelation?

 
Thumbnail: “Jamalpur Veil.” Photo credit: Meena Kadri, 2011. CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
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