reconstruction of the epistemological viewpoint of mīrzā mahdī isfahānī (ra)

in this research, the viewpoint of mīzā mahdī iṣfahānī, as the founder of tafkīk school (separatism), concerning the most important epistemological issues like the quiddity of cognition (or episteme), types of cognition, truth, and justification of knowledge (ma‘rifa) are studied. given the fact that epistemology has not been regarded as an independent science in the muslim world, but the muslim thinkers have brought it up in their philosophical, theological, and logical discussions, this article undertakes somehow to reconstruct the (epistemological) viewpoint of mīzā mahdī from among his theological opinions. among the characteristics of mīzā mahdī is his expression of specific opinions against the current opinions on cognition. thus, his viewpoint in epistemological discourses deserves to be researched about, critically reviewed, and seriously examined. to this end, his words concerning the nature of science, types of science, the meaning of truth, and the criterion of conviction are compiled and analyzed and criticized on the basis of the discourses raised in epistemology.