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Associate Professor of Qur'an and Hadith University of Qom, Dean of the University
Abstract
Some human virtues that are considered advantages for cognitive faculties and are positive and effective characteristics in knowledge are called epistemic virtues. Understanding the role of virtues and vices of human cognitive faculties in belief formation helps to re-identify the characteristics of cognitive faculties and revise the network of beliefs, hence it is of interest to epistemology and ethics. This research, based on Nahj al-Balaghah, attempted to examine the necessary virtues for cognitive faculties, namely; sense, heart, memory, and intellect, using qualitative content analysis. The findings showed that listening and observing in the realm of outward senses is a virtue that is different from merely hearing or seeing, just as a vigilant conscience and wakefulness create an epistemic advantage for the heart; presence of mind and strong retention power are virtues of memory, and deliberation, intelligence, and gaining experience are virtues related to reasoning and argumentation. The epistemic system of Nahj al-Balaghah attributes to factors influencing cognition that are not epistemically accessible to the knowing agent; that is, it believes in epistemic externalism and emphasizes the role of virtues in creating belief, and does not limit the validity and value of knowledge to having sufficient evidence and reasons, but also introduces the virtues of the knowing agent as leading to the formation of correct beliefs and valid knowledge, at the forefront of which are insight and wisdom.
shahidifar,F. , Karimi,A. and masoodi,A. (2025). Retrieval and Analysis of Epistemic Virtues from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balaghah. Nahjolbalagheh Research, 24(1), 63-85.
MLA
shahidifar,F. , , Karimi,A. , and masoodi,A. . "Retrieval and Analysis of Epistemic Virtues from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balaghah", Nahjolbalagheh Research, 24, 1, 2025, 63-85.
HARVARD
shahidifar F., Karimi A., masoodi A. (2025). 'Retrieval and Analysis of Epistemic Virtues from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balaghah', Nahjolbalagheh Research, 24(1), pp. 63-85.
CHICAGO
F. shahidifar, A. Karimi and A. masoodi, "Retrieval and Analysis of Epistemic Virtues from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balaghah," Nahjolbalagheh Research, 24 1 (2025): 63-85,
VANCOUVER
shahidifar F., Karimi A., masoodi A. Retrieval and Analysis of Epistemic Virtues from the Perspective of Nahj al-Balaghah. Nahjolbalagheh Research, 2025; 24(1): 63-85.