Human and Society in the Philosophy of Al-Farabi and Ibn Miskawayh

Abstract

Both Al-Farabi and Miskawayh agree that man is a social being by nature, and he cannot achieve his perfection except within an organized society. Al-Farabi believes that the ideal society is represented by the virtuous city, which is based on wise leadership and cooperation. Among the individuals to achieve happiness, Al-Farabi focused on the political and organizational dimension of society, considering the presence of a virtuous leader (a wise ruler) as a basic condition for the stability of society, while Ibn Miskawayh focused on the ethical aspect, considering that reforming the individual and refining the soul is the basis for reforming society. He emphasizes that ethics such as justice, moderation, and cooperation are necessary elements for the establishment of a cohesive society. Al-Farabi starts from a comprehensive rational philosophical conception, while Miskawayh tends towards the practical ethical character. The integration of the two philosophers’ ideas in presenting a balanced vision that combines the moral building of the individual and the political organization of society, and their ideas contributed to laying early foundations for social thought in Islamic philosophy, and are still important in understanding the relationship between the individual and society to this day..