MULTIPLEXITY: A NEW KEY TO THE STRUCTURE OF ISLAMIC SCIENCES

RECEP SENTURK

ABSTRACT

Multiplexity or “marātib al-’ulūm”, this paper argues, is the key to understanding
and reviving the structure of Islamic disciplines. At the macro level, various Islamic
disciplines use different methods. At the micro level, prominent scholars master several
methods and employ the distinct method of each discipline in their works. Tis goes
against the expectation that there should be only a single philosophical or scientifc
method to be used across all disciplines and throughout all the works of a particular
scholar. How do we approach this diversity and plurality of methods in the system as a
whole and also in the thought of individual scholars? Is it indecision, contradiction or
there is a latent structure behind this seemingly puzzling and confusing appearance?
Tis paper adopts the latter view and argues that the seemingly unrelated and even
contradictory methods scholars use in different Islamic disciplines constitute a coherent
epistemological and methodological system. Te works of great Muslim polyhistors
throughout history testify for this argument.