Idrakat Itibari (Constructional Perceptions): A Step towards Resolving the Clifford-James Epistemological Debate

William .K. Clifford, the strong rationalist philosopher, holds that believing anything upon insufficient evidence is imprudent and it is considered epistemologically and morally wrong. William James in a fundamental debate with Clifford, and by reduction the meaning of truth and reality to efficacy and usefulness, maintains that the most definite evidence can be found in the consequences of a belief. Allameh Tabatabei, while sympathetic towards James and for preserving the practical interests, proposes the theory of idrakat itibari (constructional perceptions); however, contrary to James and in agreement with Clifford, he does not regard any truth and representational value for them.  The present study extends the meaning of idrak itibari (constructional concept) to “considering a belief in an acceptance manner” such that the likely consequences of a belief would be applied for that. By considering the theoretical constructional perceptions, abandoning Clifford’s inappropriate and stringent approach, and also staying away from James’ lenient mistake in reduction of the meaning of truth and reality, the present article aims to focus on human basic needs in the realm of theoretical rationality to provide an appropriate answer for them.