Studies in

The study of the epistemological and philosophical foundations that have accompanied critical methodologies is the key to comprehending critical theories and understanding their core theoretical concepts and practical procedures before applying them in the field of criticism. It is imperative not to regard methodologies such as narratology merely as analytical tools for interpreting literary discourses. These methodologies have drawn upon a variety of philosophical sources in constructing their critical projects, beginning with Aristotle and extending to contemporary horizons manifest in postmodern theories. Their roots can be traced to a range of philosophical traditions, including objectivist philosophies, logical positivism, Hegelian phenomenology, and Kantian principles of subjectivity. From this perspective, the objective of this is to highlight the importance of understanding the philosophical foundations of narratology and the issue of knowledge ownership in understanding literary texts, particularly the sacred Qur'anic discourse, through the use of its critical methodologies. It adopts a descriptive-analytical approach by examining the key philosophical backgrounds that have accompanied narratology throughout its historical development and analyzing its application in certain critical models. The research concludes that there are concepts from narratology that contribute to its critical framework, such as the death of the author, the negation of the human subject leading to the dismissal of characters in fiction, and the infinity of meaning—concepts that conflict with the structure of the Qur'anic text. The presence of the author within the Qur'anic discourse and the living, active characters who move within its narrative space cannot be considered as mere fictional constructs. This issue is further evident in the study of the narrator within the Qur'anic discourse, relying on the narratological model. The use of this methodology risks diminishing the sanctity of the Qur'anic text due to a mechanical application of the method, without considering the fundamental differences between the Qur'anic narrator and the human author in literary texts. Although the research does not deny the potential benefit of analytical methods introduced by narratology, particularly from structuralism and its subsequent stages, it emphasizes the necessity of understanding critical models in their philosophical foundations and epistemological dimensions to effectively engage with the Qur'anic discourse. Utilizing this approach involves a conscious choice that merges both cognitive and ideological considerations, where the outcomes are intrinsically linked to its philosophical and theoretical premises.