The Application of Fractal Theory in Socio-Humanitarian Researches of Religion: new Opportunities for Exploring Processual Logic in the Arab-Islamic World (based on the works of A.V. Smirnov)

Abstract

The article explores the possibility of applying fractal theory in socio-humanitarian researches of religion. The first section presents ideas of A.V. Smirnov on the comparative study of cultures. Smirnov links the distinctiveness of one’s culture with the meaning-making process: he notes that substantial logic characterizes European culture while processual logic is inherent to the Arab-Islamic world. The article aims to reconsider Smirnov’s ideas and argues that the processual and substantial logic can be defined as a particular form of knowledge resulting from the interaction of cultures. It is proposed that the meaning-making process in the Arab-Islamic world can be considered through the lens of the processual metaphysics (V.A. Lectorskiy), and by using the methodology of fractal theory (B. Mandelbrot). Fractal theory reinforces the researcher’s own procedural intuition and allows representatives of the European cultural area to better understand the logic of Arab-Muslim culture.The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.