Bibliography: BIB19867

Key	BIB19867
Reference type	Journal Article
Title	Scholarship : A Bahá'í Perspective
Journal	Journal of Bahá'í Studies
Author	Hatcher, William S.
Year	1988
Date	1988
Issue	2
Volume	1
Abstract	This paper defines scholarship as disciplined intellectual activity undertaken to help determine the truth of some matter or else to apply in a practical way some previously determined truth. More specifically, Baha'i scholarship seeks to understand and/or apply truths contained in the writings of the Baha'i Faith ; it may also involve historical/critical studies of the Baha'i Faith as a social phenomenon. With regard to the first type of Baha'i scholarship, we examine certain passages in the Baha'i writings which comment on these writings themselves and which describe the kinds of truths they contain. In particular, it is seen that the Baha'i writings contain important propositional truths and not just moral injunctions (so-called normative propositions). The relationship between scholarship and other human enterprises is also discussed. The Baha'i conception of scholarship is seen to be unusually broad in scope and to provide thereby the basis for a much greater harmony between scholarship and the various other activities carried on within the Baha'i community.
Language	English
Keywords	SCHOLARSHIP; TRUTH
Pages	35–46