Journal of Razavi Culture

Abstract As a tradition with a special status in the Islamic culture, debate entails certain principles and basics which must be learnt and observed for being successful in this issue. These principles can be divided into two scientific and ethical classes: scientific principles refer to those skills and sciences with which a debater needs to be provided before starting a debate; as these skills and sciences may help him/her to embark on an effective and successful debate. However, being provided with merely the necessary knowledge and meeting the technical requirements are not enough to be successful in a debate; and the ethics also need to be respected by the debater for being able to affect the opposing party or presumably the audience.
This study has tried to elicit and analyze the most practical scientific and ethical principles used by Imam Ridha (AS) in his debates while acknowledging the necessity of observing the scientific and ethical principles in a debate and in response to the question that is there any suitable model to pursue in this regard?.
In this regard and with the aim of proposing a practical model, the most important principles that the eighth Shiite Imam (AS) used to observe comprising of three scientific principles, including using the best form of disputation, taking advantage of rational demonstration and avoiding fallacy, as well as three ethical principles, including treating people politely, avoiding criticizing people’s personality and avoiding militancy and prejudice, are explained here.
 

Abstract Among the methods for explanation of religious teachings in Ahl-el-Bayt’s school of thought against the mentality of opponents were the arguments and debates conducted by Imams and their trained students along the history. With a contemplating eye, this article seeks to answer the question “what are the most important principles for debates and open-mindedness from Imam Reza’s point of view?”. Results indicate that principles for debate include thorough knowledge regarding various religions and schools of thought, expression of rational principles and criteria, liberalism and a science-oriented nature that’s familiar with various sciences while the most important principles for open-mindedness include pure intention, respect for thinkers, scientific equity and avoiding issues such as hastily judgment, myth-orientation and cult of personality, neo-phobia and neo-philia, foreignism and self-inferiority, partisan and factional interests and attachment to political governance. These functional principles can set a pattern for conducting a sound and ethics-oriented debate among thinkers from various religions across the world. This way, it’s safe to say that open-mindedness will not lead to behaviors which eventually result in a decline in human values.