Ibn-Khaldun’s contribution to sociology

Abstract

Euro centrism and western domination deeply shaped the domain of knowledge in contemporary world academic disciplines. The same is true about sociology. As a result, the supremacy of western thoughts, ideas and methods are firmly established in the study of society. Against such a backdrop, the contributions of non-western scholars in the field of social sciences are either ignored or neglected for various reasons. However, such a trend is gradually changing in recent times under the influence of post modernity and reflexivity. Consequently, the social thoughts and methods of social inquiry discovered by many nonwestern scholars are getting prominence both in western and nonwestern worlds. The present paper is a humble attempt to highlight the life and thoughts of Ibn Khaldun, which bear significance in understanding the dynamic nature of individual, society, state and civilization even today. The paper is based on a review of some noted publications on Ibn-Khaldun, both by nonwestern and western scholars.