سیاست متعالیه (Feb 2019)
Relation between Religion and Politics In a comparative study of the Opinions of Mulla Sadra and Hegel
Abstract
Throughout history, the relationship between religion and politics has been the source of numerous menta disputes and theological and epistemic controversies. Hegel and Mulla Sadra can be considered to be the last system-maker philosophers of the East and West. The purpose of this study is to examine the distinctions between the two philosophers' opinions about the relationship between religion and politics. This research has been performed using descriptive-analytic method and the findings show that religion and politics are different in the views of Mulla Sadra and Hegel. Hegel thinks in the context of modern political philosophy, the focal point of his political thought is the question of freedom. Mulla Sadra is influenced by the virtuous and philanthropic classical political philosophy, while Hegel's thinking is based on a kind of shifting away from virtuosity and prosperity. Hegel does not believe that there is an absolute separation between religion and government, and has not any doubt about the principle of companionship and kindness between religion and government. The Sadraian government is a conductive government, and religion determines the movement framework of government and politics and its constitutive elements. A kind of "definitive allegiance" or "necessity" relationship between religion and politics is seen in Mulla Sadra's thought, but the contexts of such a definite allegiance can hardly be found in Hegel's thought. The ideal government in the mind of Mulla Sadra is the one that is dominant, and the ruler must follow a series of doctrines and rules; however, Hegel pays attention to the "quality of governance" more than the "qualities of the ruler."
