Ma`rifat Falsafi

Emergence and development of any branch of knowledge depends on creativity and innovation. Philosophy as the outcome of intellectual considerations towards essential and ultimate questions on any issue is one of the fields requiring study of development and innovation. By innovation here is meant taking a new theoretical step towards developing, spreading, and deepening a discipline or emergence of a branch of knowledge. Philosophy like other fields of human thought has developed through innovations. However, a glance at the history of philosophy indicates that this field has suffered from a type of stagnation in certain stages of its history. Consideration on the questions raised in this field can pave the way for a solution. Some of the questions are as follows: Is innovation something possible in philosophy? How can we make innovations in philosophy and what are its mechanisms? What are the causes of and obstacles before innovation? What method of education and research in philosophy may lead to innovation? What disciplines or branches of knowledge can contribute to innovation in philosophy? Is any kind of innovation desirable? Does believing in innovation have mutual concomitance with skepticism and relativity in knowledge? Is contemporary Islamic philosophy moving towards innovation? The present article offers considerations on this sort of questions. It investigates into the necessity of innovation, its domain, its preparatory grounds and obstacles, and the elements taking account of which in philosophical education and research can lead to innovation.