The Cultural-Symbolic Soul

Abstract

This study deals with the nature of human cultural symbols such as language, thought, religious beliefs, knowledge, cultural norms and values, and science. The essay consists of two major parts: a) the development of a basic theoretical framework for studying the nature of what we call the cultural-symbolic soul, and b) the application of this new concept to understanding, as well as the formulation of a potential explanation for, the dynamics of cultural-symbolic exchange and confrontation between human collectivities regardless of time and space constraints. This paper therefore seeks to offer a balanced contribution to the evergrowing body of knowledge in the modern social and behavioral sciences. It also represents an attempt to work out a synthesis between theory and application which, if successfully executed, would enhance the scientific credibility of the behavioral and social sciences. Human Cultural Symbols and the Islamic Outlook The following analysis of human cultural symbols is inspired greatly by Islamic epistemology. In order to articulate a solid and well-grounded understanding of the place such symbols occupy within an Islamic perspective, a social scientist can find a source no more authentic than the Qur 'an, the primary reference book of Islamic civilization that precedes both the hadith and the fiqh literature in importance. The Qur'an contains many verses which inform the reader in detail about the important roles of certain human cultural symbols. For example, science and knowledge, religious beliefs, and individual thought are highly praised throughout the Qur'an. As regards the major positive value and worth of science and knowledge as cultural symbols, it is selfevident that the first verse revealed