Ibn Khaldun and The Greek Philosophy: Some notes from the Muqaddima

Abstract

This essay brings into light the possible Greek elements in Ibn Khaldun’s philosophical thoughts. A historian and civilizationist by profession, Ibn Khaldun did not write philosophy book per se. Instead, he published Muqaddima, a prolegomena of history, where the major part of his philosophical ideas is centered. This study is mainly to carry out textual investigation on the Muqaddima, to trace and determine the manner and nature of Greek elements and/or the influence of Greek philosophy in Ibn Khaldun’s thoughts and how far can he be linked to the Greeks. Some conclusion will be drawn on whether or not Ibn Khaldun carried any signs of the Greek philosophy and, if any, in what manner and to what extent did he employ Greek methods in his philosophic enquiries and procedure of analysis of human society? This essay will be based on textual analysis of the Muqaddima.

Keywords: Ibn Khaldun, Greek thoughts, history, philosophy