Suhrawardi's Break with the Foundations of Aristotle's Political Thought

Document Type : علمی - پژوهشی

Authors

1 PhD in Philosophy from the University of Tabriz

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Philosophy, University of Kurdistan

10.48308/kj.2025.242409.1377

Abstract

The main question of the present article is how Aristotle uses nature and chance to explain politics, and how Islamic philosophy, especially Suhrawardi, can create a conceptual break from the classical perspective and criticize its philosophical foundations? To answer this question, the authors first explain the ontological and political position of the concept of nature and chance in Aristotle's thought, and then clarify the break between Suhrawardi and the Islamic philosophical tradition by referring the concept of chance to human ignorance and misunderstanding of events, and criticize the ontological position and, consequently, the political effects of chance. Also, by basing political administration on a law that the philosopher establishes by considering the interests of the time, Suhrawardi eliminates the need for the political matter to dominate nature and a hidden and uncontrollable matter such as luck. On the other hand, by linking the provision of material and people suitable for the political sage Farah Kiani, he completely cuts off the hand of luck from the realm of politics. In this way, a fundamental break is created between the Greek tradition and the Islamic philosophical tradition. This article is conducted in a descriptive and analytical manner.

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References

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Shenakht
Volume 18, Issue 4
December 2026
Pages 127-149

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 November 2025
  • Revise Date: 15 November 2025
  • Accept Date: 24 December 2025

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