Discursive Values in the Debates of Imam Reza (A.S.) (A Case Study: Debates Based on Speech Act Theory)
Volume 12, Issue 48, Autumn 2024, Pages 187-219
https://doi.org/10.22034/farzv.2023.398448.1882
Abdollah Gholami, Massoumeh Shadman
Abstract The debates of Imams Athar (a.s.), especially Imam Reza (a.s.), are of great importance due to the wide range of topics, methods, and scientific atmosphere as part of the effective sources of explaining and promoting Islamic knowledge. In this research, the scientific and moral dimensions of the most important debates of Imam Reza (a.s.) with the followers of different religions and scientists and different people have been analyzed based on Austin’s “speech act theory” from the point of view of homology, and the purpose of this was to find out how to use the three-level model. Austin should explain the scientific and moral aspects of Searle’s five actions in the debates of Imam Reza (a.s.). Speech act theory is one of the approaches that is proposed in the field of discourse analysis, and Austin has come to the conclusion that all linguistic statements are of the type of action statements and the verb category, and in fact, every statement is a type of speech act. Based on this theory and continuing the efforts of his teacher, John Searle divided speech acts into five declarative, persuasive, obligatory, emotional, and declarative acts. By applying the theories of these two to some of the debates of Imam Reza (a.s.), the conclusion has been reached that he paid attention to what these two linguists said, which can be a suitable model for methodical and academic discussions. It has also been found that Imam Reza (a.s.) used the first two levels of actions, i.e., expressive action and purposeful action, to achieve an impactful action in his debates and conversations, to convey his intention to the audience and influence him. Therefore, it should be said that the three-level model of the sleeve, i.e. expressive action, meaning, and effect, was considered by Imam Reza (a.s.) in addition to Searle’s five actions; In such a way that by generalizing to other debates, it can be said that effective action was the result of most of Imam Reza’s (a.s.) debates and scientific discussions.

