“School of Philosophy”
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| Paper IPM / Philosophy / 15998 |
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| Abstract: | |
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This paper seeks reconciliation between the principles of Shariâa and the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights. Since the basis for the declaration of human rights in the modern era is the modern conception of
human dignity, it seems the reconciliation project should proceed by identifying the Islamic conception of
human dignity and comparing it with the modern one, in order to see which differences in these
conceptions lead to the alleged conflict between Islamic law and the Declaration. Accordingly, I first
introduce the Islamic conception of human dignity. Nonetheless, some philosophers might argue that this
religious account of human dignity cannot be used to support universal human rights as successfully as
modern secular conceptions. I address two possible objections which could be leveled against this
account. One of these objections, it is shown, cannot be applied to the Islamic conception; however, the
other objection, regarding the importance of human interests in shaping human rights, seems to be
attention-worthy. Several contemporary solutions to the reconciliation problem are then examined. I show
that none of the mentioned solutions are capable of solving the problem, except for an enhanced version
of Islamic Intellectualism or new Muâtazilism. I argue that through this line of thought one can adhere to
an Islamic conception of human dignity even while one respects othersâ rational interests, because the
moral commands of reason are ultimately a divine command. The rationale of this approach is that in the
conflict of moral duties we never stray outside the bounds of morality and rationality; however, it still
saves the Islamic duty-oriented world view.
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