Associate professor of Research Center of Hawzeh and University
Abstract
religious experience was brought to fore in philosophy of religion with a romantist approach at the beginning of 19th century by Schleiermacher with the aim of drawing attention to the relation between religion and emotions and search of its core in depth of religious feelings (experiences and moments). In twentieth century esp. in the second half of it, however, Religious experience is conceptually developed by analytic philosophers and was epistemologically interesting and more due to the role it can play in supporting and justifying the rationality of religious beliefs. Some thinkers have rejected its demonstrative force, and others including Maverdos have taken affirmative stance and in this way tried to make a foundation for faith in God. The result of such endeavors is the argument from religious experience.
The present article is an attempt to study statement of the argument by Maverdos which contains interesting and precise points with reference to other versions of the argument including Alston's and Plantinga's, shedding light on the status of the argument in Islamic thought and the reason why it has been neglected. Critique on Chisholm's view on proper stimuli of senses, the plan of universal and partial data balance, role of judgment in determining the nature of experience and finally the problem of directness or otherwise is a psychological problem are among important matters discussed by Maverdos.
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