Metaphysical Investigations

The Quranic epistemology is a realistic school. Certainty has two kinds including epistemological and psychological ones. Epistemological certainty is considered certainty philosophically and logically. Psychological certainty, however, is of convincing kind. In the Quran, certainty finally is the result of acquiring true knowledge inclined to hearty calm. So, the Quran has emphasized on both epistemological and psychological certainty. The Quranic certainty is not a simple belief or blind faith without reason. The Quran, also, impresses on extensive, direct and deep influences of human practice on knowledge and certainty. The Quran divides the effect of practices on knowledge into two parts: first, values and acts that have direct and positive effects on human knowledge second, anti-values and acts that have direct and negative effect on human knowledge and certainty. It seems that in the Quran, practical and theoretical dimensions are as two inseparable and ontological dimensions of human which have reciprocal relations, so far as, it is cleared that the effect of human act on his/her certainty and knowledge is more cognitive and theoretical factors. In fact, human knowledge and act are united in an ontological context. In the Quranic view, the pure knowledge can not get certainty since knowledge is not merely a logical and psychological fact but is a stage of human existence.

Reason and revelation, for Ghazzali, as two factors play a significant role in human’s epistemic system. He justifies recognizing religious and theological issues by reason and revelation. According to Ghazzali’s theological thought, some of religious beliefs need to rational confirmation. Ghazzali is of Ash’ari thinkers that as a theologian, tries to make agreement between rational and transmitted affaires. His approach to reason, meantime considering its restrictions, is mostly positive. His thinking of transmitted and revealed teachings, but, is caused to form his thought based on religious principles like the Quran and Hadith. He believes that reason can’t take human’s happiness, and descends the position of reason for discovering and intuition. Therefore, Ghazzali thinks that issues concerning spiritual universe, heaven and the earth are related to revelation, since he believes that only who can receive revelation that his soul will be perfected and inspiration in its lower part.

Legitimacy and credibility of reason and revelation has more important place. He makes a deep link between reason and revelation. So, reason and revelation is considered as the best supporter of religion.