الإسلام والغرب: نحو عالم أفضل

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Seeds for the Future

other approaches that can also address the issue of meaning. We understand that the acquisition of scientific knowledge is an open process, and that we should travel on the path towards scientific truth with great humility. Maybe we should also recover the two-fold dimension of human intelligence. During the Middle Ages, Jews, Christians and Muslims knew that the human intelligence has two sides: on the one hand, the syllogistic power ( tafakkur ), on the other hand the contemplative power ( hads ). We do not have only the ability to make algorithms, to produce new true statements from previous true statements. We also have the ability to capture and contemplate truth. We can understand much more than what we can conceptualize. We are more than sophisticated computers. Being human is keeping this two-fold dimension of human intelligence, by trying to get a balance between reason and contemplation, between striving to solve puzzles and sitting to contemplate mysteries. Let us come now to the nature of religious truth. There has been so much misunderstanding between the believers of the various religions. Each civilization has tried to propagate its own views. However, we must admit that, in spite of all the so-called "holy wars" and the durable efforts of many generations, the diversity of religions still remains. And we all have to live together on an earth that is smaller than ever because of the development of the communication and transportation means. Let us accept it as God's will. Maybe it is time now to uproot the elements of religious exclusivism that are present in our interpretations of the holy scriptures, and to include the diversity of religions within our theological views. As you know, the holy scriptures speak the language of myths and parables to tell us something about the meaning of our lives. Let me recall you the brief, but very profound Koranic story of the mîthâq , the Primeval Covenant (chapter 7, verse 172). It takes place in a metaphysical locus that the Islamic tradition calls "pre-eternity", a level of reality before the creation of time. I quote the Koran: "Your Lord brought forth descendants from the

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