Mulla Sadra and Six Common Approaches to the Language of Qur’an

Author

Abstract

This paper aims not to study Sadra’s viewpoint on the language of Qur’an but aims to offer Sadra’s division of and criticisms on the different approaches to the language of Qur’an. Therefore, this study has been conducted on the negative dimension and has a critical attitude and is not going to study on the positive dimension and to explain Sadra’s viewpoint; although recognition of this negative dimension will clarify Sadra’s viewpoint to some extent. Of the current (cognitive and non-cognitive) theories of religious language which are offered in general or specially in relation to the language of Qur’an, Sadra has hinted or specified six theories: (1) Language of formalism, (2) language of extravagance in esoteric, (3) language of moderation, (4) figurative language and metaphor, (5) language of poem and oration, (6) folk language, first four of which are cognitive theories and second two are non-cognitive theories. These six theories will be criticized and analyzed in this paper.

Keywords