Understanding Ibn Khaldun and Examining the Phenomenon of Village and City in His Thought

چکیده

 Abstract
The city and the village are the outcome and synthesis of both
theoretical and practical wisdom, which, through intellectual
reflections and processes over time, have manifested in a tangible
form, thereby giving rise to the concepts of the city and the village
with their distinctive cognitive characteristics. Theoretical wisdom
reflects utopian ideas and intellectual currents that transcend the
external structure of urban and rural systems, whereas practical
wisdom represents the specific methods of construction within the
city. The present study aims to analyze the theoretical wisdom of
village and city life in the thought of the father of sociology, Ibn
Khaldun, and to clarify its procedural and substantive framework.
The methodology employed in this article is library-based and
analytical. The findings of the research indicate that the concept of
cultural systems and the moral and social characteristics represent
some of the most prominent elements in the development of the
notions of the city and village life. These characteristics, however,
are subject to change depending on the conditions of social and
natural crystallization. Ultimately, Ibn Khaldun emphasizes that
both forms of life possess their own advantages and disadvantages,
and that understanding these differences can contribute to improving
the social and economic life of communities. He highlights the
importance of harmony between human needs and social as well as
economic structures. Ibn Khaldun’s perspectives on urbanism and
rural life remain relevant not only in his own era but also in
contemporary times, serving as a foundation for analyzing diverse
societies and for gaining a deeper understanding of social
transformations.
Keywords: Ibn Khaldun, city, village, asabiyyah (social cohesion),
society.