The Idea
This claim opens the door to a broader vision of religious humanism, since it does not confine it to a single religion or a single experience. The existence of humanist currents in other religions means that shared values may appear within different traditions, and that seeking them does not threaten religious particularities. Read in this way, dialogue becomes possible on the basis of values rather than exclusion and monopoly.
Concise Formulation
There may also be humanist currents in other religions
Its Place in the Book’s Argument
This claim serves the book’s argument in moving beyond the closure that turns humanism into a private possession or a rare exception. The issue is not to rank religions, but to search for human possibilities within every heritage. The text therefore expands the horizon of discussion from the Islamic interior to a wider horizon that allows for a calm and non-exclusionary comparison.
Why It Matters
Its importance lies in the fact that it prevents an exclusivist reading of religion and values. It also shows that Arkoun prefers to search for the common human ground rather than to fix rigid boundaries between religions. It further helps the reader understand that humanism, for him, is not a local slogan, but a horizon that can appear in multiple traditions.
Brief Evidence
The text opens the door to a broader vision of religious humanism, since it does not confine it to a single religion or a single experience. The existence of humanist currents in other religions means that shared values may emerge within different traditions. On this basis, dialogue becomes possible on the ground of values rather than on the ground of exclusion and monopoly.
Reading Questions
- What is meant by humanist currents within other religions?
- How does this claim change the way the relationship between religions and humanism is viewed?
Degree of Documentation
High: the claim appears in a clear location in the book material.