PHILOSOPHICAL AND MYSTICAL APPROACHES TO THE DIALOGUE AMONG CIVILIZATIONS

Vida Ahmadi

Vida Ahmadi holds a PhD in Persian Literature, and an
MA in Persian Literature from Ferdowsi University of Mashad in Iran. She
is a member of the Faculty of Humanities at Ferdowsi University. She is
also a member of the Scientific Association of University, and the
International Association of Mulla
Sadra.

In this article the writer discusses the importance of man
as the most sublime creature and his unique qualities, which make civilizations.
This discussion is hoped to be a modest contribution toward the success of the
dialog of civilizations. The ideas discussed in the article are as follows: The
importance of speech and its relation with logos and the idea of perfect
man.

Speech as a manifestation of wisdom and love. Man as a
responsible creature as a result of possessing love and wisdom, and one who
deserves to have connections with God, the source of being. Religion is the most
powerful source, which draws man to philosophy and mysticism. Philosophy, using
the concept of dialectics and dialog as its result, and drawing on the concepts
of "unity in diversity" and "diversity in unity", makes an attempt to reconcile
the contradictions of man''s life so that he may achieve perfection. Mysticism,
with pantheism as its central concept, reconciles the contradictions of man''s
life by initiating a friendly dialog and inspiring man with a movement inspired
with love.