Abstract

This chapter aims at developing a doctrine of moral pluralism based on Islamic intellectual tradition. It draws upon modern concepts to differentiate between religious and moral pluralism on the one side and moral pluralism and ethical relativism on the other side. It shows that two concepts form the foundation of moral pluralism, namely the concept of universality, that includes core moral principles, and the concept of plurality of moral values. The two concepts are identified in the Islamic intellectual tradition, represented by the Mu‘tazilite and Ash‘arite ethical theories, i.e. the theory of rational obligation developed by the Mu‘tazila and the theory of maqāṣid al-sharīʿa or the purposes of law developed by the late Ash‘arites. The two theories combined can provide us with a theory of moral pluralism that is authentic and contemporary.