Ibn Khaldun's theory of interpretation

This study focuses on the epistemological theory that lies at the basis of the science of civilization (Ilm al-Umran) founded by Ibn Khaldun. According to Ibn Haldun by relaying heavily on the knowledge of nature, the traditional philosophical epistemology has remained inadequate for understanding and explaining the historical and social facts and therefore he defines the science of civilization as a new discipline for exploring the stable and changing conditions of human life. That by means of the science of civilization Ibn Haldun construes a new epistemology and ontology and he develops a framework of interpretation for historical and social knowledge is the main thesis of this study. This thesis is defended by an analysis of the method and basic concepts of the science of civilization, and Ibn Haldun's usage of these concepts in his interpretation history, society and knowledge. This thesis is expounded in three chapters. First chapter deals with Ibn Khaldun's interpretation of history and the science of civilization as a method of verification for historical accounts. Second chapter deals with the basic methodological concepts of the science of civilization such as the categories of necessity, requirement, and luxury. Also Ibn Haldun's interpretation of society by means of the categories of life with a realistic approach is elaborated in this chapter. In the chapter three, Ibn Haldun's account of the relation between science and society and his interpretation and critique of the status and the role of such disciplines as logic, philosophy, theology, and Sufism from a social point of view are evaluated. It is concluded that Ibn Khaldun introduces a theory of interpretation based on ontology of social fact and to a certain extent a realistic and rationalistic epistemology. Keywords: History, Umran (Civilization), Interpretation, Knowledge, Society