Corona epidemic and rationality

The corona epidemic has affected millions of people around the world and caused great loss of life and property. Evidence shows that this phenomenon will not subside any time soon. Some nations have done better than others. There are many reasons for this, but a look through the lens of “rationalism and anti-rationalism” may indicate this difference. This conflict has a long history in our history and culture. In literature, on the one hand, we have the praise of reason, and on the other hand, the prohibition of it being “the foot of wooden reasoners” or “relying on piety and knowledge in the path of infidelity”. In the religion of Islam, reason is emphasized. In the Qur’an, we read: “Say, ‘You have proved to me that you are the truthful’ (Al-Baqarah, 111) or those who listen to the word and follow the good (Al-Zumar, 18). The Prophet of Islam said: All of us are ruled by reason, ruled by law, and we are ruled by reason, ruled by law. The corona phenomenon is a new phenomenon that requires a rational solution. Scholars in this field have proposed solutions to control and prevent this epidemic, the effects of which have been proven based on scientific evidence, such as the use of masks and social distancing, and the observance of hygiene and hand washing. Of course, many aspects of it are still unknown, which need to be overcome by human reason and rationality. Interestingly, nations that have followed these principles have been more successful in controlling this epidemic. If any solution is offered to prevent or treat this disease, it must be based on scientific evidence and clinical trials. Whether these solutions are based on modern medicine or chemical medicine or traditional medicine. Unfortunately, in our society, these terms have been misused. The fact is that there is only one medicine and that is medicine based on scientific evidence. Many of the solutions offered in scientific studies and clinical observations have been useless and have been left out of the guidelines. New human problems require new solutions. Finding these solutions requires reasoning and reasoning. Communities that have rationally dealt with the corona epidemic have been more successful than those that have rationally refused health advice. The conflict between these two attitudes will not end with the corona phenomenon, but what will provide a solution to this phenomenon and future human problems is rationality, not irrationality. But why, despite all this evidence, irrationality is still and is and will not be included in this article and needs another discussion. I will end this article with the praise of wisdom in Ferdowsi’s Shahnameh: Wisdom is better than anything God has given / Praise has given wisdom / Wisdom is the guide and wisdom of the beloved / Wisdom will take hold of both houses / He who does not have wisdom in advance / Be heartbroken by what you have done.

Dr. Reza Saidi Firoozabadi – Transplant surgeon