Identity as Epistemology

Abstract

Purposeful Philosophy
The first order of things requires an explication of the purpose of this
inquiry into Islamic epistemology. In order to do so, I shall have to distinguish
between academic philosophy, pure philosophy, and purposeful philosophy.
Academic philosophy is a product of the modem academic institutional
structure of recognition and discipline. This academic structure
compels scholars to produce scholarship for the sake of scholarship. Ihe
principle of “publish or perish” is a guarantor of mediocrity. Such pmfessional
philosophical projects are often intellectually parasitic and may offer
little or no new insights. For example, a visit to any library will reveal hundreds
of books that deal with academic projects such as The Idea ofJustice
in Rawls Theory of Justice or the The Nature of Judgment in Kant‘s Critic
of Judgment. Such projects contribute little to advance the understanding of
justice or judgment and have no bearing on the nonnative nature of the
society.
Pure philosophy is a lifestyle. The pure philosopher is a habitual speculator
who relishes the sheer indulgence of the mind. It is not the product of
reflection but the pleasures of reflection in themselves which sustain the
pure philosopher. As one philosopher commented, “We could go to the
mosque, pray, and come back to continue with our discussion of the question
whether there is a God.” The fact that the philosopher has just prayed
does not settle the issue that as far as that philosopher is concemed there is
a God and to question that is meaningless. Either the prayer was specious
or the debate was meaningless. I suggest this because there is a disconnect
between thought and action. The lifestyle of the pure philosopher, while
immensely satisfactory to the philosopher concemed, trivializes both action ...