Lesson 10: Ibn Khaldun

Question 1

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.): Basics

Answer 1

• First philosopher of history, sociology and modern economics
• Chief judge of main center of Sunni Islamic studies, Al-Azhar, in Cairo
• Lived during period of Arab decline - prompted him to examine historical life cycles of societies, civilizations and empires
• Ignored until 19th c.

Question 2

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.): Importance

Answer 2

• Ambition: write universal history
• Question: why do all empires disappear?

Question 3

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction)

Answer 3

• understand life cycle of empires
• universal history of Arabs, Berbers and Persians specifically
• 7 volumes (but intro most important part)

Question 4

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction): Innovations

Answer 4

1) Enlarging concept of history (include not just kings and wars but also daily lives of people - i.e. social history)

2) Setting historiography rules
a- Neutrality (no partisanship)
b- Carrying out research (no credulity when it comes to sources)
c- Considering history globally (no decontextualization of events)
d- Understanding laws governing history & society (no ignorance of history logics and social dynamics)

3) Analyzing history & drawing historical patterns

4) Explaining social metamorphoses

Question 5

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction): Relation between Climate and Civilization

Answer 5

Civilization (umran) thrives in moderate climate (combined with favorable social-economic conditions) because best for human creativity

Extreme weather conditions = no development of “non-essential” things because too occupied looking for means of survival and protection from weather

Question 6

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction): Theory of Labor Division

Answer 6

Rural areas : families focused on satisfying their own basic needs

Urban areas: people work in cooperation, chain of production
=> allows spared collective energy for purposes other than survival

Surplus (Marx’s “capital”) = deeds of civilizations

Labor division = wealth = great civilization

Question 7

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction): Death of Civilizations

Answer 7

Wealth = Luxury = Softness in Habits = Decrease in production = Shrinking Surplus = Population surpassed and subdued by others

Question 8

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction): Formation & Disintegration of Societies

Answer 8

Essential ingredient: “social solidarity” or asabiyyah (pact of mutual help and protection) - extended from family to ethnic group to nation (often takes form of nationalism between people living under one state)

2 types for strongest states:

1) Biological/Tribal

2) Abstract/Religious

Question 9

Ibn Khaldun (14-15th c.) & Al-Muqaddimah (The Introduction): 4 stages of state

Answer 9

Life cycles of Asabiyyah and state not synchronized - path influenced by external factors (wars, economics etc.)

1) Age of Foundation - tight solidarity & hard work/ common Asabiyyah/ charismatic leader

2) Golden Age - expansion and prosperity (best stage)

3) Age of Decline - luxury & corruption

4) Age of Disintegration - waiting for final collapse - enemies give final blow