The Evolution of the Meaning of Science and Its Effect on Eliminating Religious Education from the Iranian Public Education System

This study aims at investigating the evolution of the meaning of science and its effect on eliminating religious education from the Iranian public education system. The method of the study is descriptive-analytical through documentary-library technique. The results show that, during centuries, Muslims have always used the concept of ‘science’ in the meaning of ‘fāʼizʼ (literally, ‘successful’) and, according to them, the path of seeking knowledge is the very path of human success and salvation. However, since the 19th century, the epistemological foundation of science has changed and sensory science has taken over the responsibility of knowing the surrounding world. The new meaning of science has introduced new capacities for human’s domination over the natural and social world, and has established new structures such as the Iranian public education system. This public education system institutionalizes, by producing and promoting the meaning of ‘dominantʼ science, in students' minds and souls, the belief that, in learning science, they should aim at memorizing and acquiring information to overcome the natural and social world for more material profit. Therefore, intentionally or unintentionally, a new kind of education has been put on the agenda of the Iranian public education system, which is in complete opposition to ‘religious education’, and has finally led to its elimination.