The concept of race in modern anthropology from a theological (Kalâm) perspective

This study examines how the concept of race in modern anthropology is addressed within the discipline of Kalām and, in this context, aims to highlight the potential of the interaction between social sciences and the new scientific Kalām approach to contribute to the literature. Based on this primary objective, sub-goals have been defined, including evaluating how approaches to race in modern anthropology are interpreted, analyzing the historical and doctrinal development of understandings of race and racism within Kalām, and investigating the theoretical relationship between Kalām and anthropology. The research has been conducted within a comprehensive framework, considering the historical evolution and intellectual foundations of the subject. The findings indicate that conceptions of race in modern anthropology are shaped by religious, philosophical, and political factors. Furthermore, meanings attributed to the concept of race across different religious traditions exhibit both commonalities and notable divergences. For instance, while racial superiority is explicitly rejected in Islamic thought, some historical Christian interpretations ascribe theological significance to ethnic identity. This demonstrates how religious doctrines, through interaction with societal structures, can acquire new meanings in different cultural contexts. From the perspective of Kalām, the significance of this study is linked to the tendency of the new scientific Kalām to strengthen its interdisciplinary connections with the social sciences. Addressing the phenomenon of race within the framework of Kalām thought not only diversifies the methodological approaches of this discipline but also lays the groundwork for conceptual dialogues with the social sciences. Within this framework, the study aims to analyze the theoretical interaction between the new scientific Kalām and anthropology, thereby providing a perspective that could contribute to contemporary Kalām literature.