Research Methodology in the Human Sciences

Normative and descriptive Islamic sciences face limitations in attaining intuitive knowledge (ilm-e hozuri) and primary self-evident truths. This limitation can be addressed by proposing "probabilistic knowledge" (ma'refat-e ehtemali). Acquiring knowledge in these areas necessitates explaining the nature, evidence for validity, instances, and function of probabilistic knowledge. This article addresses these four questions. According to the research findings, probabilistic knowledge is a form of knowledge distinct from intuitive knowledge and self-evident truths; it relies on gradual cognitive progression and culminates in certainty or degrees lower than certainty. This type of cognition possesses scientific, practical, and ethical value. Its scientific value stems from the synoptic knowledge (ilm-e ejmali) that provides coherence between this knowledge and non-probabilistic knowledge, as well as other probabilistic knowledge. Its practical value can be explained through three arguments: "the principle of blockage" (ensedad), "the rule of sufficiency" (qā'edat-e meysur), and the "principle of continuance" (estishab). The ethical value of probabilistic knowledge arises from the proportionality among the elements of voluntary action in the process of knowledge acquisition. Instances of probabilistic knowledge include narrative knowledge, sensory cognitions, and probabilistic intuitive knowledge. Probabilistic knowledge is applicable in Islamic sciences both as a source and method for normative, policy-oriented, and scientific theorizing, and as the subject and locus of agency, encompassing the formation of information, expectations, choices, and behaviors.