Dialogues On Civilisation: A Comparative Study Of Ibn Khaldun And Spengler’s View On Civilisation

Description

This research article explores the comparative perspectives of Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler on the progression of history and the advancement of civilizations. Both thinkers share a view of history as cyclical, proposing that civilizations pass through phases of rise, maturity, and decline. Ibn Khaldun’s theory is deeply rooted in the concepts of asabiyyah(social cohesion) and the interaction between nomadic and sedentary lifestyles. He postulated that social cohesion, strengthened by collective identity and group solidarity, plays a pivotal role in the rise and fall of dynasties and civilizations. His theory highlights the transition from tribal, nomadic societies to sedentary urban centers, followed by inevitable decay as social unity and moral values erode. In contrast, Spengler likened civilizations to living organisms with distinct life cycles, viewing each as possessing a unique “soul” expressed through cultural and creative manifestations. According to Spengler, civilizations experience life cycles encompassing phases of growth, maturity, and decline.