Modern Hermeneutics and Shahid Mutahhari's Exegetical Theory

In this writing, which has been prepared with the descriptive-comparative and with library information compiling tools, it is tried to make a comparison between the viewpoints of the most important authorities on modern hermeneutics and Ustad Allama Shahid Mutahhari concerning the most significant essentials of exegetical theory, i.e., quiddity, possibility, and elements of understanding. In this respect, we were able to present the most important questions of exegetical theory to the works left behind by Shahid Mutahhari and receive proper answers. In this way, first, a rather comprehensive and brief perspective was obtained on his exegetical theory, which in turn is regarded as one of the innovations of this research; and second, by comparing this theory with the theories attributed to modern hermeneutists, it was concluded that Ustad Mutahhari’s exegetical theory has more proximity to modern hermeneutics. However, despite its enjoyment of the positive points of these theories, namely such notions as semantic plurality and realistic view towards the nature of understanding, his theory is away from defects that these theories typically have, such as proper and improper understanding and falling into negative relativity. With respect to some of the significant characteristics of Ustad Mutahhari’s exegetical theory, namely inclusiveness, realism, semantic pluralism, methodicalness, evasion from dogmatism, and avoiding relativism, this theory can be a model for the interpreters in interpreting texts, especially interpreting legal texts and religious statutes.