The Scientific Sociology: Ibn Khaldun

On Friday, May 27th, 2011, the famous search engine “Google” celebrated the birthday of the founder of sociology, Ibn Khaldun. He named it the science of human construction leaving a huge intellectual legacy that is still extending its influence today. Ibn Khaldun is a great and famous Arab historian and sociologist who enabled the delivery of numerous theories in scientific sociology and history. Ibn Khaldun was involved in many sciences fields including economics, astronomy, mathematics, history, jurisprudence, and philosophy. In the social system of human beings, he started a new concept that humans are affected by a range of factors the most important of which are environmental. He concluded that the condition of the earth, impact of climate, and type of food in addition to an individual’s emotions and soul have impacts on one’s ability to think. Dr. Bernard Lewis was greatly impacted by Ibn’s theory to the point that he considered Ibn Khaldun to be the best Arab thinker during the Middle Ages. This gave much value to Ibn Khaldun’s logical facts which were later adapted to the modern society to achieving a balance between the material and spiritual life of the people.