The Formative Cognitive Device: A Transformational Perspective on Research Methodology

Extended Abstract
 
Introduction and Objectives: The Formative Meta-Theory asserts that an effective and desirable research method must align with the cognitive architecture of human understanding and the ways knowledge is organized in the mind. Rooted in Islamic philosophy—particularly Mulla Sadra’s Transcendent Philosophy (Ḥikmat al-Muta‘āliyah)-this theoretical framework presents a cognitive approach to Formative Methodology that is consistent with the ontological and epistemological realities of the human mind. This alignment is intended to guarantee the depth and validity of research findings across both existential and cognitive levels, ensuring that the research method is not merely a tool for data collection but a process that itself promotes the formation of the researcher’s understanding and the knowledge under study. This perspective fundamentally challenges conventional positivist methods, which often focus on reductionism and the separation of mind from reality. The goal of this meta-theory is to establish a methodological foundation capable of analyzing phenomena that are complex, dynamic, and developmental in nature. This study introduces a conceptual cognitive system, termed the Formative Cognitive Device, which reflects the dynamic and multilayered structure of human understanding. Conceptualized as a spherical coordinate system, this device is designed to interpret phenomena (referred to as Entity) that emerge through the interaction between the internal cognitive capabilities of the mind and the external realities of existence. The device’s spherical nature symbolizes the comprehensiveness and interconnectedness of all dimensions of being and knowledge, integrating the spatial dimensions with the fourth dimension of time and the four causes of existence (material, formal, efficient, and final). The central question of the study is whether Formative Meta-Theory provides operationalizable foundations for research methods grounded in an Islamic worldview, and if so, what the structure of this cognitive system is and how it can support researchers in studying complex phenomena from a holistic and spiritual perspective.
Method: This research adopts a Formative abstraction method with a descriptive–inferential entity-ideagraphy approach. “Formative” here refers to the process of emergence, realization, and actualization of knowledge, reflecting a multi-method and integrative outlook. In contrast to linear and static viewpoints, this method emphasizes the continuous cycle of entity actualization and the understanding of deeper ontological and epistemological layers. The Entity-Ideagraphy approach involves representing phenomena as independent entities (Hastar in Persian) with specific dimensions, enabling their comprehensive analysis. The approach combines descriptive techniques for identifying, classifying, and defining components, with inferential reasoning to explore their interrelations. The descriptive phase includes documentary and content analysis of Islamic philosophical and psychological texts to extract key concepts. The inferential phase utilizes Mulla Sadra’s rational and analogical reasoning to explain the causal relationships between the entity’s dimensions. Phenomena are represented conceptually as entities formed through the interaction of internal capacities (the mind) and external elements (the outside world), and are shaped by the four causes (material, formal, efficient, and final). Time is introduced as the fourth dimension, completing the structure through which these entities emerge and are analyzed within a spatiotemporal context. Each of the four causes plays a central role: the final cause (purpose) provides direction to existence, and the efficient cause (the researcher’s mind) is actively involved in knowledge production. Abstraction is not merely the aggregation of elements, but a creative process of theorizing and constructing new conceptual frameworks, positioning the researcher as a wise and reflective agent who attains an integrated and ontologically coherent understanding of complex knowledge structures.
Results: The study develops the conceptual structure of a Formative Spherical Coordinate System—a cognitive device that represents the fundamental dimensions of phenomena within a layered ontological and topological space. This device is composed of three primary axes (efficient/final axis, formal/material axis, and temporal axis) that define each entity at their intersection. The system is founded on the principle that every phenomenon or entity is composed of a union of the four causes and time, and is analyzed within a spherical structure that embodies wholeness and continuity. The spherical shape reflects the continuous flow of Substantial Motion and the non-static nature of being. Serving as a methodological compass, this device enables researchers to locate data temporally and spatially, interpret relationships among indicators, and trace their formative development over time. By embracing multilevel and reciprocal causality, it demonstrates that the emergence of any phenomenon is the result of the simultaneous interplay of diverse causes in dynamic exchange. This reciprocal causality allows for the examination of the influence of internal and spiritual causes (efficient and final) on the material dimensions of the phenomenon. The central unit of analysis is the entity, which consists of concepts, elements (indicators), relationships, and governing principles. The relations among indicators are interpreted through structures such as whole–part, central–peripheral, similarity–difference, and influence–affected. For instance, in social phenomena, central indicators (like intent and purpose) and peripheral indicators (like manifest behaviors and actions) are examined dialectically. Each entity is seen as a microcosmic representation of a broader existential context, enabling the analysis of human and social phenomena across both micro and macro scales.
The conceptual structure of the Formative Spherical Coordinate System is illustrated below:
Conceptual Model of the Formative Spherical Coordinate System
Discussion and Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the Formative Cognitive Device offers a powerful alternative to conventional research methods by aligning the research process with the intrinsic structure of human cognition. By providing a structured tool for understanding a dynamic reality, this Formative Methodology fills a gap in research founded on an Islamic worldview. Drawing on the principles of Unity of Being, Gradation of Existence, and Substantial Motion, it emphasizes the dynamic and forming nature of reality and the possibility of understanding it through gradual inquiry. Thus, instead of focusing on a static state, the researcher studies the formative path of phenomena (Formative unfolding/Takwin) and their existential elevation. The approach avoids reductionism and dualism (such as the separation of mind from object), instead emphasizing a holistic, layered understanding achieved through approximation to truth. Approximation to truth signifies that each piece of research is a step toward understanding absolute reality, rather than a final stop at a fixed point. Knowledge is seen as the product of a reflective and constructive process in which the researcher is not merely an observer but a cognitive agent, whose presence and Formation are integral to knowledge production. The proposed methodology enables a synthesis of critical and contextual reasoning, combining the pre-structured faculties of the mind with empirical observation to yield actionable knowledge. Ultimately, the Formative Spherical Coordinate System and its accompanying meta-theoretical framework offer a robust philosophical and methodological foundation for Islamic research in the humanities and social sciences. This approach not only engages with what is..., but also encompasses what is in the process of becoming, thus effectively bridging the gap between abstract ontological concepts and empirical reality.
Acknowledgement: The author wish to express their sincere gratitude for the constructive comments provided by the esteemed reviewers and the dedicated efforts of the journal’s editorial and executive team.
Conflict of Interests: The author declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the authorship and publication of this article.