ABSTRACT
In an interview, conducted by Rabbi Edward Zerin in 1969, concerning the views of the Austrian philosopher, Karl Popper, on God, Popper had stated, among other things: “Some forms of atheism are arrogant and ignorant and should be rejected, but agnosticism – to admit that we don’t know and to search – is all right.” Chapter 3 focuses on this rich interview to argue that while agnosticism is an approach which some critical rationalists, like Popper, have chosen towards religion, it is possible to develop, within the framework of critical rationalism, an alternative approach, which is consonant with the sensibilities of a Muslim believer towards religion. In particular, the following point is highlighted in the chapter that the proposed approach to religion, and the framework of critical rationalism in general, provide the best theoretical approach for reform-minded Muslims who wish to produce viable syntheses of modernity and tradition acceptable to both conservative and progressive Muslims.
