1.3.2 Ibn Khaldun and the Philosophy of History

Since the 18th century, the western world has taken ibn Khaldun seriously, especially as his scientific ideas were very much like those that were to develop much later on in human history. He has, however, still not taken his rightful place as the founder of philosophy of history and the pioneer of sociology, although translations of his historical and social treatises have helped to some extent (Philosophy Now, 2005).

Read: Ibn Khaldun and the Philosophy of History // Philosophy Now

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Guiding Questions:

• • What made Ibn Khaldun so special?
  • What are the implications of thinking about history in the way that Ibn Khaldun suggests?
  • Why do you think that Ibn Khaldun did not become part of mainstream Islamic thought?

 
Thumbnail: “La mosquée dans laquelle Ibn Khaldoun a fait ses études à partir du 732 Hégir / 27 Mai 1332.” Photo Credit: Wael Ghabara, 2012. Image cropped. CC BY-SA 3.0.