Abstract
This chapter analyses the Qur’ānic verses that talk about the epistemic state of understanding. It is argued that understanding for the Qur’ān is holistic in nature. Three basic ideas emerge from various functions of understanding mentioned in the Qur’ān: that understanding is gained by grasping the deeper logical or interpretive implications of principles or phenomena or story; that understanding is involved in grasping the ethical and the wiser course; and that understanding is involved with mastery of a language. All three functions presuppose a grasp of interrelations between parts and wholes. It is noted that the Qur’ān sometimes refers to understanding as an ability or disposition and sometimes as the cognitive state attained as a result of the exercise of such an ability or disposition. The views of Zagzebsky, Kvanvig, and Pritchard on understanding are given and compared with the Qur’ānic position.
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Notes
- 1.
The Quranic Arabic Corpus at http://corpus.quran.com/qurandictionary.jsp?q=lbb, accessed on June 26, 2018.
- 2.
The distinction between two types of luck is explained a few lines below.
- 3.
- 4.
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Adeel, M.A. (2019). On Understanding. In: Epistemology of the Quran. Sophia Studies in Cross-cultural Philosophy of Traditions and Cultures, vol 29. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-17558-0_5
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