Tajseer Journal

Back Matter

2024-12-23T10:16:25+03:00

Editorial Board

2024-12-23T10:21:26+03:00

Editorial Board

2024-12-23T10:24:02+03:00

Editorial Foreword

2024-12-23T10:28:47+03:00

Editorial Foreword

2024-12-23T10:30:59+03:00

Table of Content

2024-12-23T10:57:45+03:00

Table of Content

2024-12-23T11:07:35+03:00

Rhetoric and Natural Sciences: An Applied Approach in the Qur’anic Texts - Simile as a Case Study

2025-01-02T11:19:51+03:00

This paper examines the role of rhetoric in presenting natural phenomena within the Qur'anic text. It investigates whether the relationship between rhetoric and natural sciences is referential or inferential and whether certain Qur'anic verses can be reinterpreted in light of the natural knowledge that Qur'anic rhetoric alludes to. The study explores how Qur'anic rhetoric preserves the interpretive process of verses containing natural phenomena and integrates both the influential and cognitive dimensions in its presentation. Additionally, it questions whether the scientific knowledge embedded in the Qur'anic discourse signifies an extension of its miraculous context and if the knowledge provided by Qur'anic rhetoric differs from that offered by natural sciences concerning the same phenomena. Using a descriptive-analytical approach, the research aims to clarify rhetoric's role in presenting natural phenomena, highlight the vast cognitive potential of Qur'anic rhetoric, and differentiate between the knowledge provided by rhetoric and that offered by natural sciences. It also assesses the contribution of rhetorical knowledge to maintaining the interpretive process of the Qur'anic text and reinterpreting certain verses in light of the sciences and knowledge referenced by Qur'anic rhetoric.

The Problem of Inductive Generalization in Sharia and Experimental Sciences: A Comparative Study Between Islamic and Western thought

2025-01-02T11:19:36+03:00

In the study of "Usul al-Fiqh" (fundamentals of jurisprudence), one observes a prevailing methodological focus, distinguishing scholars in this field through their pronounced tendency towards practical reasoning, particularly evident in issues of juristic analogy (qiyas). Although qiyas had evolved into a definitive form, scholars gradually shifted towards induction upon recognizing the limitations of qiyas due to its lack of conclusiveness. Consequently, Usul al-Fiqh continued to rely on analogy in most of its discussions, notably in the division of legal texts into "definitive and speculative." This approach led to the significant issue of the scarcity of texts with a "definitive/categorical nature," resulting in various methodological problems. This challenge was subsequently encountered by Muslim natural scientists, whose experimental methods faced the same issue, raising the question: How do we infer the unseen from the observed? Contemporary philosophers of science have posed similar questions: What is the basis of our inductive generalizations—reason or experience? What philosophical guarantees support the transition from judgments about parts to judgments about wholes (in the natural sciences)? How can we assess the validity of this transition as both correct and certain? And if no such guarantee exists, does science retain its justification, and what is its future?

From Physics to Sociology: Divergence of Topics and Convergence of Methodologies

2025-01-02T11:19:20+03:00

This article examines the impact of classical physics on the development of sociology and explores the evolution of their relationship, particularly in the context of post-positivism in sociology and quantum physics. Initially, it highlights how the French founders Auguste Comte and Émile Durkheim were influenced by classical physics in crafting a distinct methodological framework for sociology and establishing its scientific legitimacy. They applied the positivist approach of classical physics to social phenomena, creating tools and methods for measuring, classifying, and controlling these phenomena with the goal of deriving general laws and causal explanations. The article then presents examples of epistemological and methodological convergences between sociology and quantum physics. Although post-positivist theories in sociology did not emerge directly from advances in quantum physics, but rather as an internal development within sociology itself and the evolution of its cognitive models, there are notable similarities between the two fields. The recognition of uncertainty, the interplay between the observer and the observed, and the challenge to absolute objectivity highlight a shared intellectual terrain, linking the disciplines and offering a more nuanced understanding of contemporary scientific and social paradigms.

Biopolitical Theory: A Case Study on Sexual Policies

2025-01-02T11:19:04+03:00

This paper seeks to dispel the illusion of isolated scientific disciplines by highlighting their interconnection and integration. Using "Biopolitics" as a case study, it demonstrates the overlap between political science and biology. The paper employs a theoretical epistemological approach to trace the roots of political biology in the evolution of human thought, revealing its diverse topics, such as the study of the body, kinship, and related subjects. The relevance of this field becomes especially prominent in the study of sexual politics, where its application is critical—particularly in matters concerning the regulation of sexuality by authorities. The ultimate aim is to improve individuals’ sexual well-being and manage repressed desires. The paper also analyzes specific instances of sexual policies. To achieve this, it is divided into two sections: the first outlines the theoretical foundations of political biology, and the second presents a practical case study on sexual politics.

Taklif based model of Islamic Agency in International Relations: Saving Human Agency from Posthumanism

2025-01-02T11:24:42+03:00

This article provides an Islamic-based account of agency in International Relations, grounded in the Islamic concept of Taklif. It suggests that a more flexible approach to Taklif reveals three key components: Knowledge, Capabilities, and Resolve. Additionally, the article contextualizes this Islamic understanding of agency within the discipline of International Relations, showing that current agential theories increasingly anticipate posthumanist notions of agency. This shift tends to diminish human qualities and exceptionalism, which are emphasized by Islamic beliefs. The article traces the process of dehumanizing agency in International Relations theory, highlighting complexity and deconstruction as distinct trajectories that intersect to explain this posthumanist trend. Finally, the article proposes an Islamic account of agency based on Taklif as an alternative path.

Policies of Identity Building and the Re-Production of Heritage: The Cultural Status of Diving in Qatar

2025-01-02T11:24:27+03:00

Pearl diving has historically been the backbone of Qatar’s economic, social and cultural life. Today, Qatar strives to emphasize this rich heritage through its institutions, architecture, cities, cultural works, and official discourse. This study explores how Qatar preserves the legacy of pearl diving through its cultural policies, linking the past to the present, particularly with respect to the pearl diving community (Mojtama el-ghwas). While some studies have examined Qatar’s pre-oil history, research focusing on the connection between pearl diving history and Qatar’s cultural policies remains limited—this gap forms the core of the present study. Methodologically, the research examines the various ways Qatar promotes the historical culture of pearl diving in its modern context, using tools such as official discourse, museums, architecture, cultural production, education, and digital platforms. The findings suggest that these cultural policies aim to reinforce heritage and connect current generations to the history of their ancestors through both tangible and intangible means, collectively strengthening Qatari identity. Moreover, these policies reflect Qatar’s Vision 2030, wherein history is deeply integrated into national policies, demonstrated by the state’s diverse and comprehensive efforts to preserve its heritage in everyday life.

Establishing the Visual Identity of Arabic Medicine: Symbolic Significations

2025-01-02T11:24:11+03:00

Arabic medicine, one of the oldest medical schools, has gathered the experiences of ancient world's medical nations. Despite its deep roots in Arab culture and the recommendations of WHO and UNESCO to protect the medical knowledge and intangible cultural heritage of peoples, its identity is subjected to comprehensive attempts of appropriation due to the civilizational weakness that the Arab world is going through. This necessitates its documentation and inclusion under a visual identity banner. This qualitative study was designed to answer the question: What are the best options for designing a visual identity for Arabic medicine? To answer this, the study extracted the elements that form the visual identities of medical schools, global medical organizations, and institutions interested in Arabic or alternative medicine in the Arab world as a social reality. It also deconstructed the symbolic meanings of concepts and roots of Arabic medicine that can be included in a proposed visual identity. The research concluded the richness of the area of practicing Arabic medicine with its medical myths and symbolic meanings. The analysis showed the necessity to avoid many of these meanings as they carry pagan contents that may be rejected by society. It also suggests avoiding adopting a visual identity according to the functional vision that reduces Arabic medicine to mere practices or tools that form a small part of the whole. It ends with suggesting models that can be unifying cultural elements characterized by the simplicity and coherence essential for effective promotion and widespread recognition.

Front Matter

2024-12-23T10:14:13+03:00

Report The Annual Conference of Ibn Khaldon Center on Interdisciplinary Research, 2024 Reflections of Massive Events on the World of Thoughts: An Interdisciplinary Approach to estimate the Arab Awareness

2024-12-24T14:05:25+03:00

Report

The Annual Conference of Ibn Khaldon Center on Interdisciplinary Research, 2024

Reflections of Massive Events on the World of Thoughts: An Interdisciplinary Approach to estimate the Arab Awareness

Report Tajseer Journal Seminars (Virtual): Experiences of Interdisciplinary Research in Graduate Studies Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Qatar University October 20, 2024

2024-12-24T14:10:18+03:00

Report

Tajseer Journal Seminars (Virtual):

Experiences of Interdisciplinary Research in Graduate Studies

Ibn Khaldon Center for Humanities and Social Sciences, Qatar University

October 20, 2024

Book Review Sociology of Interdisciplinarity: The Dynamics of Energy Research, by Antti Silvast & Chris Foulds

2025-01-02T11:28:33+03:00

Book Review

Sociology of Interdisciplinarity: The Dynamics of Energy Research, by Antti Silvast & Chris Foulds

Book Review The Cultural Issue in Algeria: Elites - Identity - Language (A Critical Historical Study), by Nasser Al-Din Saidouni

2025-01-02T11:31:36+03:00

Book Review

The Cultural Issue in Algeria: Elites - Identity - Language (A Critical Historical Study), by Nasser Al-Din Saidouni

What are schools for?

2025-01-02T11:29:04+03:00

This paper addresses the question «what are schools for? » and argues that each generation has to answer this question for itself. It makes the case that schools have a distinct role in modern societies to provide access to concepts which enable young people to move beyond their experience in ways that would not be open to them in their families and communities. It presents an alternative perspective to educational policies which see schools primarily as instruments of economic policy and challenges much social science which focuses exclusively on the role of schools in cultural and social reproduction.

Language Planning and Questions of National Security: An Overview of Planning Approaches

2025-01-02T11:28:48+03:00

This paper examines ways in which language planning has been used to address issues of security. It gives an overview of a range of areas of security in which government-level language planning has had a role as a way of developing a typology of language planning work in this area. It examines the nexus between language, communication and security found in language planning activities with a security focus and critiques the conceptual bases on which language solutions are introduced into security problems.

Trends in Interdisciplinary Economics: Which Fields are Most Integrated with Economics?

2025-01-02T11:23:54+03:00

Despite increasing interest in interdisciplinary research over recent decades, there remains a noticeable gap in the interdisciplinary literature in the field of economics. This study aims to examine trends in interdisciplinary research within economics and identify which disciplines are most integrated with this field of study. The study examines 9,255 articles from 20 economics journals ranked highly in the IDEAS/RePEc Aggregate Rankings between 2014 and 2023. The study indicated that the trend in interdisciplinary Economics has increased over time, confirming that Economics is not an inward-looking field. The study also highlights that most interdisciplinary research concentrates on the social sciences, particularly sociology and political science, demonstrating a solid intersection between economic, political, and social frameworks. Interestingly, the study reveals that articles related to knowledge, innovation, and the environment have shown an increasing trend over the last decade. This trend can be attributed to the growing prominence of knowledge-based and environmental problems, which have gained considerable attention in response to globalization and rising global concerns about climate change. Furthermore, the results indicate an increasing interest in economic research related to health, institutions, and law over time.

Post-(De)colonial Thinking and the Other Half of Western Modernity: Abū Hayyān al-Tawḥīdī’s Humanism in the Renaissance of Islamc

2025-01-02T11:29:19+03:00

The postmodern condition constitutes an extremely important threshold from which we can productively engage with the modern episteme. However, what has been identified as a new historical rupture in postmodern theory does not mark the end of modernity as the new world system is both reminiscent of the colonial past and symptomatic of its neocolonial impulse. This entanglement between the colonial past and the neo-colonial present urges us to foster new epistemic sovereignties and cognitive paradigms in conversation with the postcolonial and decolonial visions of the world. If the postcolonial perspective involves the critical reconsideration of the Eurocentric legacy of modernity as a form of “cultural hegemony” and “epistemological bias”, the decolonial perspective seeks to delink from “the universal fictions of modernity” and subvert the legacy of Western “global linear thinking”. Informed by this critical consciousness, the aim of this paper is twofold; the first is to reconsider the problematic relationship between Islam and modernity from a postcolonial standpoint, while the second emphasizes the importance of the decolonial option in our endeavor to shift the geography of reasoning from Western cannons of thought into non-European traditions of knowledge. The article explores Abū Ḥayyān al-Tawḥīdī’s philosophical spirit as an instance of early Arab-Islamic humanism. Informed by postcolonial critical consciousness, I believe that the need to revisit the Muslim intellectual legacy of the “Golden Age” is vitally important to subvert the modern imperial episteme and reenergize hope in the ability of non-Eurocentric traditions of knowledge to foster new cognitive paradigms and canons of thought.