Science and Knowledge from the Perspective of Ghazali

The present paper studies Imam Mohammad Ghazali’s viewpoints about science and knowledge. Although the two concepts of "science" and "knowledge" are distinct from one another, with tolerance, they have been used synonymously to offer a prospect of Ghazali's views about certain knowledge and reality of science. In some of his books such as "Ahya al-’ollum" and "Mizan al-‘amal", Ghazali has used the two terms as synonymous and interchangeable, whereas in some others, he has distinguished between them. This paper discusses Ghazali’s epistemological evolution in this regard. With a Sufic approach, inner knowledge, and recognition of the merits and limits of philosophical argument, Ghazali had a considerable influence on Sufism that, in its turn, significantly contributed to the development of a new meaning and interpretation for science and knowledge among the Muslims. Reflecting on intellect and heart, the two main ways of gaining science and knowledge, Ghazali tries to have knowledge of the value and purpose of science. Finally, from Ghazali’s perspective, the way of heart is the only reliable way for reaching happiness that is the final destination and goal of all mystics.