The Philosophical Foundations of Secularism [الأسس الفلسفية للعلمانية]: A Book Review (Full text in Arabic)

This article provides an analytical review of Adel Daher’s seminal work, "The Philosophical Foundations of Secularism." Unlike ideological polemics, Daher’s book explores the epistemological roots of secularism, distinguishing between "Necessary Religious Knowledge" and "Contingent Scientific Knowledge." The reviewer highlights Daher’s critique of the "concessionary" secularism in the Arab world and his preference for Mohammed Arkoun’s epistemic approach over Mohammed Abed al-Jabri’s political pragmatism. The work argues for the autonomy of reason and the historical nature of religious texts, asserting that the relationship between religion and politics is purely historical rather than transcendental. This review is essential for researchers interested in the intersection of philosophy, logic, and the secular-religious debate in contemporary Arab thought.