Analysis of the Speech Acts in the Sermons of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS) in Response to the Fallacies of Opponents, Based on Searle's Theory

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 daneshgo

2 Dr. Abbas Eghbali: Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at Kashan university ‚ Kashan‚ Iran

3 Associate Professor of Arabic Language and Literature at Kashan university‚ Kashan‚ Iran

Abstract
The application of Searle's theory of speech acts constitutes one of the fields of study in the linguistics of literary texts. This theory describes and analyzes the types of acts, namely assertive, directive, commissive, expressive, and declarative, within a purposeful text. Through its application, one can discern the linguistic techniques speakers use in their discourse. In this context, this study aims to analyze the paradigm of "good argument" within the sermons of Imam Hasan al-Mujtaba (AS), utilizing Searle's model and a descriptive-analytical method, with the objective of identifying a valuable specimen of Arabic literary heritage, elucidating the connection between linguistics and Islamic studies, and achieving a deeper comprehension of his communicative patterns in refuting the fallacies of opponents such as Mu'awiyah and his companions. Among the findings of this research is that the opponents of Imam Hasan (AS) used various fallacies such as red herring, one-sided assessment, insult, complex question, trapping, enticement, irrelevant reasons, and falsehood to derive conclusions from invalid premises affirming their beliefs regarding opposition to the Divine Word and the superiority of the Imams (AS) concerning the issue of caliphate. It has been demonstrated that the Imam (AS), by employing speech acts, responded to the intellectual slips and invalid arguments of his opponents. Overall, the high frequency of assertive acts indicates Imam al-Mujtaba's (AS) approach of adopting an advisory strategy when dealing with adversaries. The directive and expressive acts, with lower frequency than assertive acts, reflect approaches of challenge and expediency, respectively, in refuting fallacies. Furthermore, the low frequency of commissive acts proves that in discourses that can be reliably referenced and trusted through the authority of revealed speech, committing to the occurrence of a truth holds no significant place. Since declarative acts entail the announcement of a new status, they find no place in the disputes of the Imam (AS). This indicates the discourse strategy of the best dispute used by the Imam (AS) in his encounters with opponents.

Keywords

Subjects

Send comment about this article
Enter Name.
Enter a valid email address.
Enter a vaid affiliation.
Enter comments (At leaset 10 words)
CAPTCHA Image
Enter Security Code Correctly.