Idea
The idea is that monotheistic religions, when they monopolize absolute truth, may build boundaries of mutual exclusion between themselves. Instead of truth becoming a field for dialogue, it turns into a sign of superiority and the exclusion of the other. This does not mean equating religions in every respect, but rather drawing attention to a shared mechanism that makes the claim to truth a cause of conflict rather than understanding.
Concise Formulation
The three monotheistic religions: they built systems of mutual exclusion in the name of absolute truth
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim serves the book’s argument in criticizing exclusionary logic within religious traditions when they turn into closed identities. It is part of a broader reading that sees conflict as arising not only from differences in belief, but from the way truth is used to fix boundaries between groups. It therefore aligns with the book’s aim of dismantling closed mentalities.
Why It Matters
The importance of the idea lies in the way it explains how religious truth can turn into an instrument of division rather than an ethical horizon. It also helps us understand Arkoun as calling for reopening the shared space among religions, not for erasing the differences between them. The aim is to lessen exclusionary logic, not to efface particularities.
Brief Evidence
The idea is that monotheistic religions, when they monopolize absolute truth, may build boundaries of mutual exclusion between themselves. Instead of truth becoming a field for dialogue, it turns into a sign of superiority and the exclusion of the other. This does not mean equating religions in every respect, but rather drawing attention to a shared mechanism that makes the claim to truth a cause of conflict rather than understanding.
Reading Questions
- How does the claim to truth become a mechanism of exclusion?
- Does the text propose an alternative to closed truth, or does it merely diagnose the problem?
Documentation Level
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book’s material.