Linguistic Differentiation in the Science–Religion Debate: A Comparative Study of Contemporary Shi’i Thought and Modern Philosophy of Language

One of the common responses to the conflict between science and religion is the strategy of linguistic differentiation. This strategy—which holds that the language of science and the language of religion differ in purpose, method, and worldview—is so broad that it encompasses theories ranging from the philosophical interpretation of Allameh Tabataba’i and Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, to the symbolic language theory of Shahid Motahhari, the metaphorical language theory of Mojtahed Shabestari, the interactive interpretation between science and religion proposed by Albert Einstein, and Ludwig Wittgenstein’s complete separation of the domains of science and religion. This breadth has led some scholars in Islamic studies to assign a significant place to the linguistic differentiation strategy in discussions of the science-religion conflict. However, it must be noted that, although the broad semantic scope of linguistic differentiation includes these theories, they are so distinct that each may be interpreted as an independent strategy for resolving the science-religion conflict. This study briefly examines the meaning of linguistic differentiation in its philosophical origins and analyzes selected Islamic–Shi’i theories that align with this strategy, highlighting their differences from modern philosophy of language. Special emphasis is placed on theories rooted in the works of Tabataba’i, particularly his exegesis. The findings show that although many Islamic theories may be subsumed under the general concept of linguistic differentiation, enduring principles of Shi’i theology produce fundamental differences in their premises and interpretations compared with Western traditions.

Keywords:

The Qur’an and science , science-religion conflict , linguistic demarcation , religious language , symbolic language , metaphorical language , scientific language