Technology and Muslims: A Field Study of Iranian Scholars

Abstract

Muslim scholars have had different approaches toward modern technologies. Defining the situation in various Islamic countries is dependent on knowing the approaches adopted by their scholars. These approaches create norms which can shed light on the reasons for the success and failure of access to technology and its transference. The present article sets out to analyze the views of the Qom seminary scholars in Iran about the development of modern technologies within the framework of the development sociology using the qualitative methodology of grounded theory. To this end, such techniques as conducting interviews and investigating documents have been used to gather the data. The authors find four paradigm models regarding modern technologies among the Qom seminary scholars. These models are classified into two general categories: optimistic and pessimistic. In the end, an “appropriate technology” approach is introduced as an approach singled out by the researchers.

Green Open Access for Interesting Contributions

“…Others have argued against GMOs, partially because of the economic interests involved. This article provides insight in a particular debate, but thereby considers the interplay of universal and particular considerations in moral discourse—an issue one finds also in other Islamic voices on technology (Nasiri, Azkia, and Mahdavi ), bioethics (Ghaly ), and medical ethics (Haneef and Majid ).…”