Research Methodology in the Human Sciences

The Transcendent Philosophy (Ḥikmat al-Mutaʿāliya) of Ṣadr al-Mutaʾallihīn, regarded as a watershed moment in the history of Islamic philosophy, has engendered a twofold response among scholars and researchers due to its distinctive and synthetic method, which integrates reason (ʿaql), mystical intuition (shuhūd), and transmitted tradition (naql) within a coherent system. This intellectual movement has, on the one hand, been met with admiration and acclaim, hailed as an innovative, methodical, and comprehensive framework for explaining the nature of existence and metaphysical realities. On the other hand, it has faced serious criticisms, largely centered on claims of "methodological eclecticism" and an alleged lack of internal coherence within this philosophical system. Critics contend that the integration of disparate epistemological sources points to incompatibility or methodological ambiguity within the Transcendent Philosophy. However, Ṣadr al-Mutaʾallihīn, through a purposeful and proportionate structure, employs each method to illuminate different dimensions of truth; this synthesis, contrary to the critics' assumptions, testifies to the flexibility and profundity of his approach to uncovering reality. Employing a descriptive-analytical method, this article re-examines the most significant pro and con perspectives regarding the philosophical methodology of the Transcendent Philosophy. In doing so, it seeks to address the ambiguities raised and to present a more comprehensive picture of the nature and value of Sadrian methodology, ultimately demonstrating that the Transcendent Philosophy not only offers an original and innovative method but also constitutes a novel and thought-provoking model for contemporary philosophical studies and methodology.