1
Assistant Professor of Department of Islamic Studies, University of Maragheh
2
Faculty member of Payam Noor University, Department of Islamic Studies, Tehran - Iran
10.22034/nrr.2026.69566.1537
Abstract
The present study, employing a descriptive-analytical approach and grounded in the religious thought of Allameh Jafari, examines the role and conceptual connection of art in rational life and its relation to enhancing existential psychotherapy. The primary aim of the article is to explore the therapeutic potential of authentic art from Jafari’s perspective and to analyze its relationship with key components of existential psychotherapy, including meaning, self-awareness, responsibility, and spiritual transcendence. From Jafari’s viewpoint, art is not merely the imitation of nature or a reflection of superficial emotions; rather, it is a conscious and elevating process in which humans, through refined aesthetic perception, strive to transform “reality as it is” into “reality as it ought to be.” In this process, authentic art plays a crucial role in realizing rational life—a purposeful and reason-based existence that paves the way for spiritual elevation and existential flourishing. Jafari distinguishes between authentic and inauthentic art: inauthentic art follows superficial and everyday desires, whereas authentic art is truth-seeking, creative, and committed to human elevation. Authentic art thus embodies practical and effective expressions of rational living within religious thought, and Jafari’s intellectual framework reflects this functional dimension of religion in the spheres of art and rational life. Allameh's intellectual foundations on art and rational life are also influenced by these ideas of religion and the effectiveness of religion in this area. The findings show that in Jafari's intellectual system, authentic art in rational life can be an approach to strengthen existential psychotherapy processes.
Samadieh, M. and Akbari, B. (2026). Analysis and study of
existential art therapy based on rational life from the perspective of Allameh Jafari. New Religious Researches, 5(4), 45-66. doi: 10.22034/nrr.2026.69566.1537
MLA
Samadieh, M. , and Akbari, B. . "Analysis and study of
existential art therapy based on rational life from the perspective of Allameh Jafari", New Religious Researches, 5, 4, 2026, 45-66. doi: 10.22034/nrr.2026.69566.1537
HARVARD
Samadieh, M., Akbari, B. (2026). 'Analysis and study of
existential art therapy based on rational life from the perspective of Allameh Jafari', New Religious Researches, 5(4), pp. 45-66. doi: 10.22034/nrr.2026.69566.1537
CHICAGO
M. Samadieh and B. Akbari, "Analysis and study of
existential art therapy based on rational life from the perspective of Allameh Jafari," New Religious Researches, 5 4 (2026): 45-66, doi: 10.22034/nrr.2026.69566.1537
VANCOUVER
Samadieh, M., Akbari, B. Analysis and study of
existential art therapy based on rational life from the perspective of Allameh Jafari. New Religious Researches, 2026; 5(4): 45-66. doi: 10.22034/nrr.2026.69566.1537
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