Document Type : Research Article / Original Article
Authors
1 yazd university
2 associate of professor
Abstract
The concept of freedom dates back to the constitutional era in the Iranian intellectual arena; nevertheless, the philosophical reflection on it among Iranian thinkers is a more recent phenomenon. Among recent Iranian thinkers, particularly Morteza Motahari and AbdolKareem Soroush, there have been deeper intellectual conflicts in terms of the issue of freedom. What are the similarities and differences between the two thinkers regarding freedom question? How Motahari and Soroush define freedom? What are dimensions and limits of freedom from the perspective of these two thinkers? The findings of this article suggest that Motahari is confronted with the issue of freedom with theological assumptions, and therefore, he considers freedom as the existence of freedom and will in the human being, which is necessary for human spiritual excellence. The other thinker, Soroush, considers modern liberal assumptions (in particular favoring a positivist methodology and pluralistic ontology) and distinguishes freedom as the highest human value. At the same time, both thinkers, under the influence of Islamic and mystical beliefs, identify two dimensions for freedom: internal freedom and external freedom. Evidently, Motahari emphasizes more on internal freedom while Soroush's emphasis is on external freedom. Meanwhile, both thinkers believe, Sharia (Islamic law) and morality limit freedom.
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