The relationship between religion and morality in contemporary Western and Islamic thought: Comparison of A. Macintyre and N. Topçu

The relationship between religion and morality is one of the issues that has remained up-to-date in every period of the history of philosophy. The relationship between religion and morality is not only a problem among themselves, but has occupied many fields, especially philosophy, sociology, psychology, and politics. Historically, both disciplines have always been in a relationship with each other and have supported each other. Religions that are not founded on a moral basis and moral systems that lack religious values have often negatively affected social life and ended in failure. In this regard, it is a necessity to reveal the nature of religion and morality, which are indispensable for a person, and the impact they have on society. In this research, the approaches of Alasdair MacIntyre and Nurettin Topçu, one of the most prominent figures of contemporary Western and Islamic thought, towards the relationship between religion and morality are discussed in a comparative manner. In this context, the points where thinkers differ with similar aspects have been revealed and information has been given about the reasons for which these similarities and differences may arise. The purpose of the research is to examine whether it is possible to establish a kind of foundation between religion and morality in the thought systems of the philosophers in question. Our research consisted of four parts. In the introduction, the general framework of the thesis is drawn and information about the world of ideas of MacIntyre and Topçu, who are the subjects of research, is given. In the first part of our research, the basic concepts, problems and approaches about the relationship between religion and morality are discussed. In addition, in the second and third parts of our research, Topçu and MacIntyre's views and approaches about religion and morality were examined separately and how they evaluated these disciplines were discussed. At last, in the fourth and final part of research, the common and different aspects of Topçu and MacIntyre in the context of the relationship between religion and morality were identified and a substantive comparison was put forward. Finally, in the conclusion section, the topics covered in the dissertation are summarized, a general assessment is made and recommendations are presented.