Ma`rifat Farhangi Ejtemaei

Since some of the basic fundamentals governing modern sciences conflict with Islamic fundamentals of knowledge, the introduction of modern sciences, particularly humanities, into our country has been accompanied with different challenges from the onset. Some thinkers have introduced the development of “Religious Science” as a way to face these challenges. Therefore, the most important questions are: What is the meaning of “religious science”, and under what circumstances it would be possible?” Epistemological principles of possibility of religious science are divided into two groups: basic principles of epistemology, and basic principles of theology. There are three challenges in the case of basic principles of epistemology. First, the identity of science and knowledge is bound to using empirical method. Second, values are believed to be completely out of the realm of science and knowledge. Third, any epistemological approach of presuppositions into the realm of science is rejected. In the case of the basic principles of theology, the most important challenge is defining the knowledge-creating character of propositions existing in religious texts. If we accept that these propositions can create knowledge, then the realm of religion seriously overlaps with the realm of science. Therefore, religious science is not only possible, but also science essentially cannot be indifferent to religious propositions. So, the concept of “religious science” is not affected by any contradiction and confusion, both with respect to being “religious” and “sciences”.