An Arab Philosophy of History

Selections from the Prolegomena of Ibn Khaldun of Tunis (1332-1406)

Edited and Translated by Charles Issawi

About the Book:

    The Prolegomena of Ibn Khaldun are in many ways the most remarkable manifestation of Islamic philosophical thought. Not only did Ibn Khaldun sum up the accumulated knowledge and leading doctrines of his civilization, but in many fields he broke new ground and anticipated the findings of Western social scientists of the last two centuries. The passages have been grouped to illustrate Ibn Khaldun's views on

Historical Method

Geography

Economics

Public Finance

Population

Society and State

Religion and Politics

Knowledge and Society

The Theory of Being

The Theory of Knowledge

This translation is intended for students of thought, rather than specialized Arabic scholars, and for those interested in the intellectual background of the Arab world.

First published in 1950 and reprinted several times, this revision contains a new chapter and a thoroughly revised and updated bibliography.

About the Translator:

    The late Charles Issawi was Bayard Dodge Professor of Near Eastern Studies, Emeritus, Princeton University. He published numerous studies on the cultural and economic history of the Middle East.

Reviews:

The best work for students or the casual reader who wants to know more about this great Tunisian philosopher of history and early sociologist.

—The Muslim World Book Review

Publication date: 1950; revised, 1987

Bibliography; index

Size: 5 x 7 (12.7 x 18 cm); xiv; 192 pages

CIP L.C. 86-29199

ISBN 978-0-87850-056-7  $24.95  Buy it at Amazon.com!