EMOTIONAL FOUNDATIONS OF FAITH IN ISLAMIC THOUGHT

The feeling of belief is one of the natural characteristics of humans. One of the most fundamental qualities that distinguishes humans from other beings is that they are believers. However, it is stated that the need to believe arises in difficult times and this situation is associated with human weakness and helplessness. In this context, while some scientists oppose the innate tendency to believe, others claim that belief is a social phenomenon that arises due to man's relationship with nature, or that it is a psychological state that occurs as a result of one's own internal fears. However, human beings are limited and weak creatures by nature. In situations where he is helpless in the face of something beyond his power, he needs to believe in an omnipotent being.

This study will focus on the effects of emotions in the emergence of the act of believing. In the study, it is aimed to make sense of the relationship between emotion and faith as a philosophical problem area. In this context, the questions that the study focuses on are as follows;

As some philosophers and scientists claim, does belief in God arise from the anxiety and fear created by the feeling of not being able to control nature? How can we argue that faith is not something that arises from the feeling of helplessness that people feel? What are the most basic motivations that lead people to belief in God?

In the study, the arguments regarding whether the claim that belief is a state that comes with inability and fear will be examined will be examined. The views that try to justify religion with the feelings of fear and helplessness and the opposing responses to these views will be discussed.

Keywords

Belief, Emotion, Fear, Motivation