An Epistemological Study of a Comparison Made of the Approaches of Understanding the Holy Quran

Epistemology and its sub-fields are known as the most important theoretical bases affecting the formation of interpretive schools. Regarding the problem of understanding and interpreting the texts, particularly the Holy Qur'an, there may be found three epistemological approaches. In the first approach (audience-based), the audience and his mental presuppositions are regarded as the main pillar of the process of understanding, and since the presuppositions of each audience are distinct from others, the findings are also distinct, and all of the findings are considered to be justified. In the second approach (author-based), the final meaning of the text is an understandable truth that must be achieved during a process. It is not impossible, though difficult it may be, to discover the author's intention in interpreting the text (of the Qur'an), and only the sense corresponding it may be taken as true. In this paper, comparing the two approaches, the third approach (text-based) whose epistemological basis is on Islamic teachings, is explained, according to which the main element in the process of understanding is the very effect of the text of the Holy Qur'an. While studying the above three approaches comparatively, using qualitative content analysis and logical reasoning approaches, it has been concluded that among these approaches, the third is more justified, and relying on this approach, it is more probable for the depth of the Qur'anic verses to be perceived. The success of some valid interpretations such as al-Mizan may be known as the product of such an approach