The Historical Sociology of Muslim Societies

Khaldunian Applications

Datos Bibliográficos

ID2354698
AutoresSyed Farid Alata (0000-0003-2349-0068, National University of Singapore), Syed Farid Alatas (0000-0002-3416-1967, National University of Singapore, autor de correspondencia)
Año2007
Volumen22
Número3
Páginas267-288
Fecha de publicación2007-06-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaInternational Sociology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0268-5809 • E-ISSN: 1461-7242
EditorialSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/0268580907076570
OpenAlexW2744908440
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas10
Referencias citadas16

This article argues that the theoretical perspective on the rise and decline of states developed by 'Abd al-Rahmān Ibn Khaldūn (723-808 AH/1332-1406 AD) should not be confined to historical interest but is of relevance for the study of various aspects of the history of Muslim societies. The reasons for the relative neglect or marginalization of Ibn Khaldūn as a source of theory to be applied to definite historical empirical situations is partly due to the predominance of Eurocentrism in the social sciences. The manner in which Eurocentrism has defined Khaldunian studies is discussed, but the main focus of this article is the possibilities of a Khaldunian historical sociology of Muslim societies that is founded on a non-Eurocentric approach to his work. The article specifies what is meant by non-Eurocentric readings and applications of Ibn Khaldūn's theory. Several illustrations of these applications are provided. The serious consideration of Ibn Khaldūn's status as a founder or precursor of sociology would require such theoretical applications. Ibn Khaldūn's work should no longer be regarded as a mere source of historical data or an outdated perspective

Epistemology · Eurocentrism · Historical sociology · Islam · Political science · Social science · Sociology · Anthropology · Culture, Economy, and Development Studies · History · Law · Philosophy · Religion and Society Interactions · Weber, Simmel, Sociological Theory