Whilst the doctrine of sacred kingship and royal sanctity are as old as the phenomenon of monarchy itself, such notions gained a new vitality in the teaching of the Divine Plato and were to exercise a profound influence on thinkers of the Islamic world who developed their own notions of the philosopher king within the emerging Islamic philosophical tradition. The foremost figures in this regard are Farabi, Ibn Sina, Ibn ʿArabī, and Mullā Ṣadrā. This lecture briefly introduces their doctrines on the philosopher king, which are not at all well-known among Western students of political thought. Special attention will be given to the Shīʿa Muslim philosopher Mullā Ṣadrā.

Lecturer:

Dr. Nizamuddin Ahmad, Prophet Muhammad Visiting Professor of Shi'a Islam Studies, Jaffer Center for Muslim World Studies, Florida International University

Presented in collaboration with: 

FIU Department of Religious Studies

FIU Department of Politics and International Relations