نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی
نویسندگان
1 دانشجوی کارشناسی ارشد رشته عرفان تطبیقی دانشگاه شهید بهشتی تهران
2 گروه ادیان و عرفان، دانشکده الهیات و ادیان، دانشگاه شهید بهشتی، تهران، ایران.
چکیده
کلیدواژهها
عنوان مقاله [English]
نویسندگان [English]
Environmental ethics, as a branch of applied ethics, examines the regulation of the relationship between human beings and nature and defines the limits of the exploitation of natural resources. In light of contemporary environmental crises, renewed attention has been given to the ethical capacities of religious traditions to address such challenges. In this context, Islam and Judaism, through their theological texts, provide frameworks for understanding the place of human beings in the world and the nature of their responsibility toward the natural environment. Adopting a comparative approach and employing thematic analysis, this study seeks to answer the following question: What constitutes the theological foundation of environmental ethics in Islam and Judaism? The research data were collected through documentary analysis of the sacred texts of these two religions using purposive sampling. In the Islamic section, selected verses from the Holy Qur’an, including al-Baqarah, al-Hadid, al-A‘raf, Hud, and al-Jumu‘ah, are examined. In the Jewish section, passages from Genesis, Leviticus, Deuteronomy, and Ezekiel are analyzed. The sampling process focused on statements related to creation, the sanctity of nature, ownership and the use of resources, and the moral responsibility of human beings. The findings indicate that, in both religious traditions, nature is regarded as sacred and as possessing intrinsic value, while human beings are considered morally responsible for its preservation. In Islam, concepts such as khilafah (vicegerency), amanah (trusteeship), and the glorification of all beings provide a theological basis for environmental ethics. In Judaism, teachings such as Shekhinah, bal tashchit, and tikkun olam offer comparable ethical foundations. The comparative analysis demonstrates that both traditions possess the theological capacity to articulate an environmental ethic grounded in moderation, justice, and the preservation of the natural order.
Keywords
Environmental ethics; Islam; Judaism; amanah; bal tashchit; Shekhinah; tikkun olam
Employing a comparative approach and thematic analysis, the present study examined and compared the theological and ethical foundations of the environment within the two religious traditions of Islam and Judaism. An investigation of key texts and concepts revealed that both traditions regard nature as possessing a form of sanctity and intrinsic value, viewing human beings as responsible agents toward the natural world. Concepts such as khilafah (vicegerency) and amanah (trusteeship) in Islam, alongside tikkun olam and bal tashchit in Judaism, establish ethical frameworks within which the degradation of nature, the wastage of resources, and the disruption of ecological balance are deemed reprehensible and contrary to the Divine Will.
Nevertheless, the comparative analysis demonstrated that the formulation of this moral responsibility differs between the two traditions. In Islam, a more pronounced emphasis is placed on maintaining the balance of creation, avoiding fasad (corruption/mischief on earth), and fulfilling moral and jurisprudential obligations (takalif) within the framework of the Qur’an and Sharia. In Judaism, however, in addition to legalistic elements, concepts such as Shekhinah and tikkun olam delineate a cosmic and historical horizon for human responsibility; here, the “mending” and restoration of the world are viewed as an integral part of human participation in fulfilling the Divine Will. Furthermore, variations in the eschatological vision and the perception of Divine presence in nature have led to two distinct styles of articulating and motivating environmental ethics.
The primary finding of this research indicates that environmental ethics in the Abrahamic traditions, despite theological and conceptual nuances, possess a shared capacity to foster a responsible ethic toward creation. This capacity can provide a robust foundation for interfaith dialogue concerning contemporary environmental crises.
From this perspective, revisiting religious sources not only clarifies the theological underpinnings of the human-nature relationship but also plays a vital role in reinforcing cultural and ethical approaches to environmental protection.
کلیدواژهها [English]
)