Practical Reason in the Thought of Ash'arism, Robert Adams, and Josiah Royce: An Emphasis on Josiah Royce's Epistemological Foundations
Subject Areas : Intellectual explorations
1 - PhD in Islamic Philosophy and Theology, Lecturer at Qaem and Culture University of Tehran
Keywords: Ash'arism, Robert Adams, Josiah Royce, Practical,
Abstract :
The Relation between Practical Reason and Morality in Robert Adams, Ash'arism, and Josiah Royce Abstract: Robert Adams considers practical reason and morality to be dependent on reason but ultimately rooted in religion. He is influenced by the Ash'ari theory of divine command and the theory of acquisition. He believes that morality depends on religion and that the ultimate source of morality is God. However, he also believes that the basis of his practical reason is rational. Josiah Royce, on the other hand, believes in ethical idealism and establishes a meaningful relationship between ontology, ethics, idealism, and monotheistic theology. Royce's ethical idealism does not, like Ghazali, make morality dependent on a particular religion, nor does it separate religion and morality from each other. He describes humans as transcendental beings with a prior knowledge of moral principles. Therefore, the conformity of religion and morality will not have a posteriori and historical aspect but will have a metaphysical and ontological basis. Adams, regardless of giving priority to reason and free will, bases his beliefs on the principle of a "sense of duty" towards divine commands and having a conscience. However, according to the Ash'ari view of "divine command" and the "theory of acquisition," whatever the divine being deems permissible or forbids is considered right and wrong, respectively. Whatever the divine being commands is obligatory. Therefore, the validity and truth of every action must be judged according to the criteria of the Sharia, and humans are merely the acquirers of the commands of the divine being and the Sharia. However, the common ground between Adams and the Ash'arites is that they both consider happiness and all moral actions to be dependent on religion.
