On 12 December 2012, Abdolkarim Soroush, one of the best-known philosophers of the Islamic world, gave a public lecture at the German Development Institute/ Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) in Bonn. In his talk “Modern Islam and the modern West” Soroush discussed different worldviews and interpretations of modernity, religion, freedom as well as the understanding of philosophy, law and justice in both cultures.

“We live in a world of interpretation”, Soroush stated at the beginning of his talk. According to him, one should not ask the question what a modern Islam is, but rather what a modern interpretation of Islam might be and what kind of new and different answers one gets by putting new questions to the text of the Koran.

Soroush pleads that one should distinguish between religion as divinely revealed and the interpretation of religion or religious knowledge. He himself explores the essentialising of Islam and also the essentialising of the modern West (“western modernity”) as two grave misconceptions. From his point of view the distinctive interpretations are responsible for hindering the dialog between religions. De-essentialising these two concepts would be the best way for him towards an improved interaction of the two cultures. 

Nowadays, Soroush sees the Islamic world facing the challenge of developing its own kind of modernity. In this process, Soroush stated, it would be a mistake to see the modern West as a model. For the Islamic world, the West has two faces, being a symbol for conflicting achievements. The West is at the same time associated with positive achievements in science, philosophy and technology as well as with colonial expansion and quest for power. To arrive at an answer how the Islamic way of modernity could look like, in his view, one must go deep into the classic philosophical roots of the Islamic World and be at the same time very selective in applying the knowledge or findings of the West to the Islamic world.

Following the well-attended lecture a lively discussion took place, moderated by Imme Scholz, Deputy Director of the German Development Institute/ Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE). 

Abdolkarim Soroush received a traditional Islamic education, but also got in touch with modern science in early years. He left Teheran as a student graduating in London, first in analytical chemistry, then studying history and philosophy. At that time, he participated in political movements which had the aim of overthrowing the Shah. After the Revolution, Soroush returned to Iran. There he studied Islamic Philosophy and Mysticism. He was a member of the Cultural Revolution Institute. In 1983 Soroush submitted his resignation from membership in the Cultural Revolution Council and gradually became more critical of the political role played by the Iranian clergy. 

Nowadays, Soroush is one of the outstanding voices of a revitalisation of Islamic Philosophy and an internationally acclaimed scholar. His academic career includes appointments as a visiting Professor at Harvard, Yale, Princton and Standford, amongst others.