Abstract:

One of the important issues focused by Orientalism is undoubtedly on the Islamic theology (Kalam). When It is examined critically the approach of Kalam of classical orientalist discourse, It is seen that Western Islamic scholars have published a large number of works on this subject. It is important that the views of Josef van ESS, who is alive today and still ongoing his research in the orientalist tradition, about the emergence and methods of Kalam are revealed. His views on these subjects provide important in formations about onset of Islamic Kalam. In the light of these information and methods, it is seen that the first Kalamic (theological) texts have began to be formed in the 1. Century AH. that Kalamic texts have been written via a jedel (debate)/dialectical manner. This showed up Kalamic method, as well.

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