معرفت اخلاقی

One of the fundamental pillars of ethics in any religious tradition is its moral teachings. However, scholars adopt various approaches to interpreting these teachings, among which the influence of historical consciousness on religious ethics interpretation is significant. This study employs an analytical-comparative method to explore the role of historical awareness in interpreting and re-reading ethical teachings in Christian and Islamic traditions. The research centers on the debate between Joseph Ratzinger and Charles Curran, two prominent theologians: Ratzinger emphasizes the stability and traditional identity of religious ethics, while Curran advocates revising and adapting teachings to historical contexts. In the Christian tradition, Curran highlights the importance of social and cultural contexts in shaping and evolving Church ethics, whereas Ratzinger stresses preserving enduring principles and resisting moral relativism. By comparing this debate to the Islamic tradition, the study shows that concepts like ijtihad (independent reasoning) and maqasid al-sharia (objectives of Islamic law) enable ethical dynamism and adaptation in Islam. The research also underscores the role of historical consciousness in enhancing ethical living, promoting dynamic interpretation, and preventing intellectual rigidity in Islamic ethics. The findings suggest that combining historical awareness with adherence to fundamental principles offers a balanced model for ethical interpretation and practice today, avoiding extremes of traditionalism and relativism and fostering interfaith dialogue.