Abstract:
Considering the significant role of imitation and modeling in customary and religious life, this article has tried to examine Allameh Misbah Yazdi's views on beliefs, values and methods of achieving value-based goals and the role that imitation can play in this regard. To what extent and by what criteria can rational self-sufficiency or imitation of others in the field of beliefs and values be distinguished? The reason behind imitation, the model which is worthy of imitation, and the psychological motivation that usually leads us to imitate are some of the aspects that this article examines. Allameh Misbah Yazdi, a contemporary Shiite thinker, believes that imitation and modeling in the main aspects of religious life is not a sign of intellectual and cognitive immaturity, rather it is one of the necessities of organizing and facilitating the process of religious life. Aiming at preserving and strengthening of youth independence, many young people want to be independent of others in their religious life, but some angles and dimensions of the beliefs and values they choose for themselves in life cannot be affected by their cognitive and intellectual range. Professor Misbah discusses this challenge of religious life, and with regard to the dilemma of research and imitation, suggests a third interesting way. Although this proposed path connects our present life to the glorious life of the Prophet Muhammad and his successors, it still leaves open the way to rational self-sufficiency and independence in reason