Man and Politics in the Political Philosophy of Avicenna

The purpose of this paper is to examine the emergence of the concept of the ‘political man’ in Avicenna’s political thought. We seek to understand how Avicenna approached politics and the role of humanity in public life. Avicenna’s ideal city is constructed upon the foundation of key concepts such as tradition, justice, law, and public consensus, all of which are intricately connected to the supreme world. According to Avicenna, the ideal city serves as the manifestation of supreme knowledge, with the political man playing a dynamic and constructive role within it. Avicenna lived during a time of crisis in the Caliphate, which prompted him to engage deeply with political philosophy. At this juncture, Iranians were in revolt, distanced from the Caliphate, and actively seeking a political alternative. This historical context should be viewed as both a theoretical and practical endeavor. This paper delves into Avicenna’s contribution to this significant political event. In Avicenna’s philosophy, concepts like politics, the city, and the political man, like many others, are comprehensible and recognizable within the framework of the Prophet’s Revelation. Thus, this paper explores the formation of the city, the emergence of its structures, the actions of its rulers, and the role and political presence of its citizens from Avicenna’s perspective.