Abstract:
This research is conducted to identify the anthropological foundations of Albert Ellis' rational-emotional theory and criticize it considering Islamic sources. The research method is descriptive-analytical, according to which the anthropological foundations of Ellis's theory are first identified by reviewing the available sources, and then analyzed and criticized from the psychological, philosophical and Qur'anic perspectives. According to this research, Ellis believes man is a material, mortal, cognitive, and individualistic creature that is valuable simply because of being human, and deviation from logical thinking causes abnormality. The purpose and goal of human life is to acquire long-term material and worldly pleasures, while according to Islam, man is a two-dimensional and eternal being who lives in a society and has a relationship with himself, with God, with others and with the nature. Man has a divine nature, from Islam’s point of view, and deviation from this nature causes abnormality. Due to his existential connection with God and the possession of some Divine gifts (such as intellect, heart, and nature), human being has intrinsic dignity and will attain acquired dignity by moving towards the ultimate goal of creation (i.e. worship of God and getting close to God).