A Comparative Study of Akrasia in Quranic Commentaries: A Critique of the Views of Socrates and Aristotle in Light of the Opinions of Islamic Exegetes

Document Type : Academicm and Research

Author

Department of Islamic philosophy and theology-university of Mazandaran

10.22091/ptt.2025.13330.2482

Abstract

This research employs an analytical-descriptive method to conduct a comparative study of akrasia (weakness of will) in Quranic commentaries, focusing on the opinions of Islamic exegetes, and critiques the views of Socrates and Aristotle regarding the relationship between knowledge and action. On one side is the view of Socrates, who, with his theory of the "Unity of Knowledge and Action," believes that true knowledge necessarily leads to virtuous action, and on the other side, Aristotle's theory on the possibility of akrasia shows that humans may commit evil despite having knowledge of the good. Through the analysis of Quranic verses and the examination of commentaries from both Islamic traditions, this article demonstrates that the Quran, by introducing the concept of "corruptible knowledge" and emphasizing the pivotal role of self-purification (tazkiyah al-nafs), presents a third theory that transcends these two perspectives. The findings indicate that, from the Quranic exegetical viewpoint, certain knowledge only leads to practical commitment when accompanied by tazkiyah; otherwise, it may become ineffective due to factors such as arrogance, obstinacy, or hedonism. This research, by proposing a "Three-Dimensional Commitment Model" (combining knowledge, self-purification, and divine grace), seeks to explain the Quranic solution for overcoming akrasia based on the opinions of Islamic exegetes.

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Comparative Interpretation Research

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 December 2025

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