Faith, Reason, and Doubt: A Comprehensive Dialogue with a Professor of Philosophy of Religion at the University of Tehran

Zahra Fayzii from the Vice-Presidency for Research and Technology News Desk of the University of Tehran:

In a recent scholarly interview with Dr. Abbas Yazdani, one of the most distinguished professors of Philosophy of Religion at the Faculty of Theology, University of Tehran, the interrelationship between faith, reason, and doubt was examined through analytical and critical perspectives.

The full professor of Philosophy of Religion explained that, throughout the history of the discipline, four principal approaches have emerged regarding the relationship between faith and reason:

Radical Fideism: Thinkers such as Tertullian and Søren Kierkegaard maintain that faith and reason are in complete opposition, with reason even regarded as a “poison” and a corrupting force against faith.

Moderate Fideism: Intellectual figures including William James, Blaise Pascal, Ludwig Wittgenstein, and proponents of the Tafkik school consider faith and reason to belong to two distinct and independent domains. In this view, religious beliefs are not subject to rational evaluation; rather, reason should serve the understanding and deepening of faith. Nevertheless, faith is not solely contingent upon strict rational proof.

Radical Rationalism: Only those religious propositions that are demonstrable through reason possess value, while any claim that cannot be rationally established ought to be discarded.

Moderate Rationalism: This perspective holds that for religious beliefs to be rational, they do not necessarily require propositional evidence or formal argumentation. The approach associated with Reformed Epistemology exemplifies this position.

Dr. Yazdani emphasized that the moderate approach represents a point of equilibrium between faith and reason—one that regards faith as grounded in rational reflection, yet not confined by the rigid constraints of extreme rationalism.

One of the most compelling themes of the discussion was the notion of faith without belief. Dr. Yazdani noted that philosophers such as Immanuel Kant argued that theoretical reason is incapable of proving the existence of God; nevertheless, individuals may live as if God exists, thereby expressing faith even in the absence of belief grounded in certainty or the complete truth of propositions.

Theorists such as Louis Pojman, William Alston, and Daniel Snyder likewise accept the possibility that faith may arise without explicit belief, allowing other elements—such as trust, hope, practice, and existential transformation—to function as substitutes for propositional assent.

In his analysis of faith, Dr. Yazdani identified several key indicators:

• Knowledge and Cognition: Possessing awareness and understanding can constitute part of faith.
• Practice: Observance of religious commands, rituals, and values.
• Trust and Reliance: Trust in God, or even in skilled professionals such as physicians.
• Existential Transformation: An inner change and ontological reorientation of the individual.

He stressed that none of these elements alone is sufficient; different theorists may regard one of them as primary, but faith ultimately reflects a multidimensional structure.

Addressing the question, “Which is more dangerous—groundless faith or endless doubt?” Dr. Yazdani offered a nuanced response:

Methodological doubt, exemplified by René Descartes and Al-Ghazali, serves as a pathway to inquiry and knowledge, guiding individuals toward truth and constituting a prerequisite for scientific research.

Absolute practical doubt, associated with forms of skepticism, involves persistent and non-investigative uncertainty that can obstruct the formation of faith. This type of doubt is internally contradictory: if one asserts that “no truth is attainable for human beings,” that very claim becomes subject to doubt and thereby undermines its own validity.

A third form is existential doubt, which does not primarily question the truth or falsity of propositions. Drawing on theologians such as Paul Tillich, Dr. Yazdani described this form of doubt as inseparable from risk and existential commitment.

According to him, faith and doubt are not mutually exclusive; rather, they can be reconciled—a view emphasized by many classical and contemporary thinkers.

Dr. Yazdani also addressed the role of reason in Greek philosophy:

• Plato examined reason from an epistemological standpoint, demonstrating that reliable knowledge can be attained through stable definitions and valid argumentation.
• Aristotle extended the function of reason beyond epistemology and metaphysics into ethics, virtue theory, and philosophical psychology. By advocating moderation and the avoidance of excess and deficiency, he showed that reason can serve as a criterion for rational action and moral evaluation.

In modern periods, philosophy has likewise sought to analyze reason and rationality across theoretical, practical, and evaluative domains.

Reflecting on his research objectives, Dr. Yazdani remarked, “No researcher can claim to have achieved all of their scholarly goals; however, a portion of my objectives has been realized through research activities and teaching. My efforts have consistently focused on refining and updating my academic work, and future plans include continued research in theology and a rational engagement with modern atheism.”

He added that the ultimate aim of his scholarship is to establish a tangible connection between philosophy, society, and the university. He underscored that researchers must remain engaged with both industry and the broader community to ensure that academic output is authentic, relevant, and practically applicable.

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