Every society is comprised of various classes, strata, and professions, including teachers, doctors, military personnel, clergy, artisans, and others. Each of these groups plays a distinct role, contributing to the overall evolution of society. The stability and prosperity of a society depend greatly on maintaining a balance among these classes, with each having its defined sphere of influence to prevent encroachment upon others and to stay within its area of expertise. By doing so, societal needs are met, and a rational camaraderie is established among the different classes and professions, contributing to the balanced movement and dynamism of social cycles.
Presently, Afghanistan faces an unprecedented and unhealthy situation. A single social class, namely the clergy and religious scholors, whose expertise lies primarily in religious and theological matters, has monopolized all key governmental positions. The clerics now dominate established hierarchies, wielding powers that demand top-notch expertise. However, these positions are occupied by individuals lacking the necessary qualifications, akin to entrusting responsibilities to the unqualified—an occurrence considered a harbinger of chaos in religious texts, signifying the onset of social unrest and turmoil. Presently, signs of this chaos are evident in Afghanistan, as governmental institutions, meant to serve the public interest, fail to fulfill their intended functions.
For instance, a university is a modern institution whose philosophy centers around research and knowledge production, conducted in accordance with academic methods. These methods and rules are universal, transcending the limitations of any religion or nationality, and are accepted globally. This characteristic enabled, for example, during the height of the Cold War between the Soviet Union and the Western bloc, collaboration between a mathematician-physicist from the Soviet Union and a scientist from Europe or America on a scientific topic, leading to the publication of joint articles. The essence of academic work dictates that political competitions, ideological differences, and doctrinal disputes have no influence on scientific research. Academic work focuses on impartial research aimed at discovering truth and acquiring knowledge, rather than allegiance to a particular political stream or ideological inclination. Whenever this characteristic is compromised, a university loses its universal essence, and academic assemblies worldwide do not hold it in esteem. In present-day Afghanistan, clerics, who lack experience in academic environments and are unfamiliar with academic work, dictate terms to graduates who have spent their lives teaching and researching at universities. One can imagine the torment experienced by knowledgeable individuals when the ignorant rule over them, and the plight the university has fallen into.
This example from the university reflects the general situation in the country, equally observed in military and civil environments. Clerics have been placed at the helm of every governmental institution without possessing any knowledge or expertise. Imagine if members of another social class or profession, such as engineers, nurses, or hairdressers, were to take control of all military and civil domains, and all key government offices were transformed into their field of operation. Such a scenario would inevitably lead to turmoil engulfing the fate of a country. However, such a scenario does not occur, and there is no basis for members of a social class to dominate all the wealth and power resources of the government and control a country from top to bottom. So why do clerics have the opportunity to transcend the boundaries of their professional domain and dominate the fate of all classes and professions in society? Why is such a threat not perceived by any other class or profession in society, and why are only clerics seen as the source of this threat?
This question directs our attention to a narrower path, seeking the root of a fundamental problem within this society. The issue stems from traditional and underdeveloped societies being afflicted with what some refer to as Cartesian dualism, a concept discussed by the French philosopher regarding the essential distinction between body and soul. According to this perspective, similar to how a human being consists of two distinct elements, body and soul, the world also comprises two entirely different layers: the physical and the metaphysical. In this view, the body holds little value compared to the highly esteemed soul, and it is believed that the body must serve the soul. When this philosophical idea is applied at a societal level, individuals are divided into two classes: spiritual and material, with the spiritual class assuming authority over the material class. Part of the conflicts of the Middle Ages in Europe, which eventually led to the Renaissance, stemmed from this dualism. This philosophical concept has been subjected to ongoing debate and severe criticism, both from philosophical and religious standpoints. Some metaphysicians argue that the division of humans into body and soul, and subsequently the division of the world into these two levels, contradicts the principle of the unity and oneness of the universe.
Beyond philosophical debates on this matter, the crucial issue in the public domain is how one social class can assume an extraordinary position among others and dominate their fate. This dilemma in our region arises from the intertwining of religion with politics, a project of Islamic political groups. Governance based on the claim of representing religion and divine command naturally occurs only where clerics and religious authorities hold power. The existence of religious schools and a network that considers itself sacred and superior to other social classes raises alarm bells for society, as it produces a ruling class capable of subjugating the entire society, while other professions and social classes rarely pose such a threat. Today, aside from a segment of this class that, contrary to their claim of spirituality, pursues all material interests and worldly affairs, other sectors of society are oppressed and deprived, concerned about the future of their society and country. To overcome this crisis, a more fundamental perspective is required. Not only should the unchecked process of clerical schooling be halted, and regulations established based on the public interests of society, but fundamentally, this sacred class must be divested of its sanctity. The authority to claim representation from God and the unseen world should be revoked, allowing them to return to their natural place and be regarded as one of the professions alongside others.