Abstract
There are some research methods of anthropology such as experimental, intuitive, rational, and religious methods. All of the methods, except the fourth one, has some problems. This article is going to deal with some advantages of the religious method as well as the disadvantages of the experimental method, intuitive method and rational method.
Advantages of the fourth method
The religious method has some advantages such as: 1) Collectivity: This method discusses different dimensions of human existence such as: material and spiritual, worldly and otherworldly, historical and cultural dimensions. In fact, when this method discusses a special aspect of human existence, it discusses that according to the collection of aspects of human, because the speaker has a complete and comprehensive knowledge about the human being. 2) Attention to the source and resurrection: This method, unlike other methods, discusses the source and resurrection and the relationship between human life and the hereafter in detail. 3) Strength and stability: This method has a high strength and confidence; because it is rooted in revelation, and without any doubt the revelation knowledge is infallible. So the religious method introduces the nature of man; because the creator of man recognizes him better than anyone else. Anthropology originates from this type of method, necessarily, can be the foundation for the humanities. [1]
Disadvantages of the other methods
The experimental method has some problems. For example, the experimental method claims that everything, including humans, may be recognized by experimentation, while the human other than the apparent behavior, has the will, intention, decisions and meaningful behaviors that were never observed by experience. In fact, the experiment and outward senses as tools to experience, cannot recognize things such as: trust, faith, beauty, happiness and life's purpose. According to that, Stanley Kangwon, the university professor in the United States of America, for showing the inability of science said: While I asked my students to write the chemical formula of a thought or its length to the centimeter and its weight into the grams and its color with the length of the wave and the pressure and the speed and the amount of effect, they could not do this with any formulas and chemical change[2] Or Charles, French scholar said: For everyone, it is essential to know that science is correct, at the same time it has many defects.[3]
The intuitive method also has some problems: firstly, in terms of gnostic method, the human is recognized by Mystic himself, through internal experience. In this method, no one else plays a role in recognizing. Secondly, the tongue cannot express mystical experiences in the form of words and concepts. In other word, the Mystic, in terms of the problems linguistic cannot explain his knowledge as well as he cannot transfer to another, because this kind of knowledge belongs to himself not someone else. [4]
As well as, the rational method has some problems, because the reason of intellect cannot recognize everything. [5] Regarding the disadvantages of this method, Ayatollah Khamenei said: “the healthy disinterested human wisdom itself Judges that I am not qualified to lead humanity independently. The human mind is finite, not infinite, while human needs are infinite” [6] He believes that: “Human must be linked to above and beyond and deeper point than human wisdom to achieve a guidance and happiness”. [7] Also, he emphasizes that the “human intellect is not always in the right way, but it may be in many cases make some mistakes. Therefore, the wisdom needs to the who that guides and teaches it to determine the truth from the transgression”. [8] He also mentioned that: “if the wisdoms clash about the basic issues of human life and fundamental task, there is no guidance of reason except the revelation of God “. [9]
Conclusion
Anthropological methods are divided into several categories such as experimental, rational, mystical, and religious methods. Each of these categories, except the fourth one, has some problems. In fact, the anthropological religious method can identify the nature of human, comprehensively, because the human's Creator knows better than anyone else the truth of mankind, although, the other methods recognize things partly, they are, somewhat, not complete, acceptable.
Notes:
[1] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza Mirzaee (2011)"The quiddity of anthropology", The quiddity of anthropology, N. 24, PP. 35-63.
[2] Shahriar Bahari, (1988), theoretical anthropology, Tehran, Dalel, P.34.
[3] Shahriar Bahari, (1988), theoretical anthropology, Tehran, Dalel, P.35.
[4] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza Mirzaee (2011)"The quiddity of anthropology", The quiddity of anthropology, N. 24, PP. 35-63.
[5] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza Mirzaee (2011)"The quiddity of anthropology", The quiddity of anthropology, N. 24, PP. 35-63.
[6] Sayyid Ali Khamenei, (1974), Outline of Islamic Thought in the Qur'an, PP.313 & 314. (http://www.ebnearabi.com)
[7] Sayyid Ali Khamenei, (1974), Outline of Islamic Thought in the Qur'an, PP.313 & 314. ( http://www.ebnearabi.com)
[8] Sayyid Ali Khamenei, (21/03/1989), Lessons from the Qur'an, Volume I, http://www.leader.ir/fa/book/7?sn=886
[9] Sayyid Ali Khamenei, (21/03/1989), Lessons from the Qur'an, Volume I, http://www.leader.ir/fa/book/7?sn=886