The Limitations of Intuitionist Rationality and the Horizons of Transcendent Happiness: A Critique of Henry Sidgwick's Theory from the Perspective of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Abdullah HosseiniEskandian ¹

Fereshteh Abulhassani Neiaraki ²

¹ P.h.D Candidate of Islamic Theology, Tabriz University

² Associate Professor, University of Mazandaran

10.22067/epk.2026.97175.1505

Abstract

Human happiness constitutes one of the central concerns of ethical systems. Every ethical theory, in accordance with its underlying principles and worldview, offers a distinctive conception of happiness and the means of attaining it. Henry Sidgwick, by advocating rationality and moral intuition, regards happiness as the ultimate end of ethics and the fundamental criterion for evaluating human actions. Grounded in rational hedonism, he seeks to maximize pleasure for the greatest number of individuals. In contrast, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli, drawing upon revealed teachings and the intellectual heritage of Transcendent Theosophy (al-Ḥikmah al-Mutaʿāliyah), conceives happiness from a broader perspective, identifying it with the ultimate end of human life, namely, proximity to God (qurb ilā Allāh). From his viewpoint, happiness is not confined to worldly pleasure and well-being but also encompasses the spiritual and existential perfection of the human soul. Employing a descriptive-analytical method with a critical approach, this study examines Sidgwick's conception of happiness within his ethical system and offers a critique of it from the perspective of Ayatollah Javadi Amoli. The findings indicate that Sidgwick's reliance solely on reason and moral intuition, while neglecting divine revelation and heavenly guidance, is insufficient for leading human beings to genuine happiness. Since human reason is inherently limited and fallible, it cannot independently comprehend all dimensions of reality. Accordingly, the attainment of true happiness ultimately requires the guidance of revelation and adherence to divine teachings.

Keywords

Henry Sidgwick

Intuitionistic Consequentialism

Ayatollah Javadi Amoli

Happiness

Moral Intuition

Subjects

• Islamic Philosophy and Kalam

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Authors retain the copyright and full publishing rights. This is an open access article distributed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0)

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