The Scope of Moral Rationalism according to Ibn al-Taymiyya and Mullā Ṣadrā

This research focuses on the concept of moral rationality as elaborated by Ibn al-Taymiyya and Mullā Ṣadrā. Given that moral rationalism emphasizes the coherence of action and its consequences, as well as rational principles, we aim to compare and contrast the views of these two scholars in the following ways: A) endorsing the full dependence of morality on religion, Ibn al-Taymiyya’s view is close to the so-called divine command theory (or religious goodness and badness), and in the realm of moral action, he has developed a version of religious deontologism; B) drawing upon the conceptual distinction and co-instantiation of religion and morality, Mullā Ṣadrā espoused the so-called natural law theory (or rational goodness and badness), and in the realm of moral action, he tends towards the virtue theory. However, upon final analysis, Mullā Ṣadrā's approach appears to be more favorable. This is because it recognizes the inherent value and autonomy of moral life, while also acknowledging the experiential dimensions of morality.