Principles of Debate and Open-mindedness with Regard to Imam Reza's (A.S) Debates

Among the methods for explanation of religious teachings in Ahlel- Bayt’s school of thought against the mentality of opponents were the arguments and debates conducted by Imams and their trained students along the history. With a contemplating eye, this article seeks to answer the question “what are the most important principles for debates and open-mindedness from Imam Reza’s point of view?”. Results indicate that principles for debate include thorough knowledge regarding various religions and schools of thought, expression of rational principles and criteria, liberalism and a science-oriented nature that’s familiar with various sciences while the most important principles for open-mindedness include pure intention, respect for thinkers, scientific equity and avoiding issues such as hastily judgment, myth-orientation and cult of personality, neo-phobia and neo-philia, foreignism and self-inferiority, partisan and factional interests and attachment to political governance. These functional principles can set a pattern for conducting a sound and ethics-oriented debate among thinkers from various religions across the world. This way, it’s safe to say that open-mindedness will not lead to behaviors which eventually result in a decline in human values.