Editing Abdolkarim Soroush (section)

== Philosophy==
Soroush's research focuses on the philosophy of science, religion, the philosophical system of Molana Jalaleddin Balkhi ([[Rumi]]), and comparative philosophy. He is considered an expert on Rumi and Persian Sufi poetry.

The philosophy of Abdolkarim Soroush can be summarized as follows:<ref>[http://www.drsoroush.com/Persian/On_DrSoroush/On_13851013_Paya.html Dr. Soroush<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
*Distinction between "religion" and our "understanding of religion".
*Distinction between "essential" and "accidental" aspects of religion.
*Distinction between "minimalist" and "maximalist" interpretation of Islam.
*Distinction between values and morals that are considered internal with respect to Islam and those that are external.
*Distinction between religious "belief" and religious "faith".
*Distinction between religion as an ideology/identity and religion of truth.

===Epistemology===
Soroush's main contribution to Islamic philosophy is his interpretation of the [[Immanuel Kant|Kantian]] distinction between ''[[A priori and a posteriori|a priori]]'' and ''[[A priori and a posteriori|a posteriori]]'' knowledge. His theory is called "the theoretical contraction and expansion of religious knowledge" and is primarily based on [[Kantianism|Kantian philosophy]]. Soroush maintains that one should distinguish between religion as divinely revealed and the interpretation of religion or religious knowledge which is based on socio-historical factors. The essence of religion is conceived by Soroush as independent from [[experience]] while religious knowledge is understood as a finite, limited, and fallible form of human knowledge, thus depending on [[empirical evidence]].{{sfn|Dahlén|loc=chpt. 7|2003}}

===Religious "belief" and religious "faith"===
In an interview, Soroush said that "True believers must embrace the faith of their own free will - not because it was imposed, or inherited, or part of the dominant local culture. To become a believer under pressure or coercion isn't true belief'",<ref>Wright, Robin, ''Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East'', Penguin Press, 2008, p.268</ref> and that the believer "must&nbsp;... remain free to leave his faith."<ref>[http://www.drsoroush.com/English/On_DrSoroush/E-CMO-19960400-1.html Islam and Liberal Democracy. Two Visions of Reformation], by Robin Wright, ''Journal of Democracy'', 7.2 (1996) 64-75</ref>

At Oxford, Soroush was heavily influenced by Iranian philosopher [[Komeil Sadeghi]], to whom he has dedicated one of his books ''Expansion of Prophetic Experience''.{{Citation needed|date=September 2010}}

=== Soroush's political theory ===
Soroush's political theory is in line with the modern tradition from Locke to the framers of the [[American Constitution]]. It portrays human beings as weak and susceptible to temptation, even predation. As such, they need a vigilant and transparent form of government. He believes that the assumption of the innate goodness of mankind, shared by radical utopians from anarchists to Islamic fundamentalists underestimates the staying power of social evil and discounts the necessity of a government of [[checks and balances]] to compensate for the weaknesses of human nature.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060713222849/http://www.kadivar.com/Htm/English/Reviews/reform.htm]

Soroush's political philosophy, as well, remains close to the heart of the liberal tradition, ever championing the basic values of reason, liberty, freedom, and democracy. They are perceived as "primary values," as independent virtues, not handmaidens of political maxims and religious dogma. Soroush entwines these basic values and beliefs in a rich tapestry of Islamic primary sources, literature, and poetry.[https://web.archive.org/web/20060713222849/http://www.kadivar.com/Htm/English/Reviews/reform.htm]

=== Religious democracy ===

Soroush introduced his own definition of the term ''religious democracy'' which is now a topic in contemporary [[Iranian philosophy]] and means that the values of [[religion]] play a role in the public arena in a society populated by religious people. Religious democracy falls within the framework of modern [[rationality]] and has identifiable elements. It is in this way that there are a plurality of democracies in the international community. "Religious democracy" is a subject of intense research in Iranian intellectual circles.{{citation needed|date=January 2024}}

Given historical circumstances and contingencies, governments may turn out to be primarily democratic or religious. What alters the hue and color of democracy is a society's specific characteristics and elements. The possibility of a democratic religious government also exists and is attainable, but only within the framework of justice and human rights.<ref>Mahmoud Sadri and Ahmad Sadri, eds. Reason, Freedom & Democracy in Islam: Essential Writings of Abdolkarim Soroush. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, pp. 122-130.</ref> Religious democracy is an example of how democratic values can exist in a different cultural elaboration than what is usually known before.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.humanrights.dk/news/conference_article/ |title=THE DANISH INSTITUTE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS - Aydin: Democracy belongs to us all |access-date=2006-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041025082935/http://www.humanrights.dk/news/conference_article/ |archive-date=2004-10-25 |url-status=dead }}</ref> But, in a [[secular]] society, some other characteristic is deemed important and focused on, and that becomes the basis for [[democracy]].

In fact relativistic [[liberalism]] and democracy are not identical since democracy is not violated when faith is embraced, it is violated when a particular belief is imposed or disbelief is punished.

We do not have one democracy but many democracies in history. We have a plurality of democracies in the international community. What emerged was that democracy prevailed in different eras depending on the conditions of the time.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.drsoroush.com/English/Interviews/E-INT-20031200-1.htm |title=AbdolKarim Soroush :: عبدالکريم سروش<!-- Bot generated title --> |access-date=2006-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915093340/http://drsoroush.com/English/Interviews/E-INT-20031200-1.htm |archive-date=2013-09-15 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Democracy cannot be derived from or based on intrareligious precepts and adjudications by religious jurists. The combination of religion and democracy ultimately depends on the foundations of human rights, justice, and limitations on power.<ref>Mahmoud Sadri and Ahmad Sadri, eds. Reason, Freedom & Democracy in Islam: Essential Writings of Abdolkarim Soroush. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2000, p.131.</ref>