Ideas Meet the original 'Father of Economics' — it's not Adam Smith
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Jul 17, 2025 Join Bruce Lawrence, a retired professor of religious studies, Stephen Dale, an expert on South Asian and Islamic history, and Nora Lafi, a historian specializing in the Ottoman Empire. They delve into the groundbreaking ideas of Ibn Khaldun, the original 'Father of Economics,' who laid the groundwork for modern economic and sociological theory 400 years before Adam Smith. The conversation uncovers the importance of social cohesion, historical memory, and the relevance of Khaldun's insights for understanding contemporary civilization and governance.
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Ibn Khaldun's Multidisciplinary Legacy
- Ibn Khaldun pioneered a scientific approach to history and social sciences in his 14th-century book, Muqaddimah.
- His broad work touched economics, sociology, political theory, and civilization theory well before Western scholars like Adam Smith.
Linking Ibn Khaldun and Adam Smith
- Ibn Khaldun and later Western thinkers like Adam Smith share a philosophical approach to studying societies.
- He developed early economic theories by generalizing historical and social phenomena using philosophy.
Bitter Oranges Symbolize Corruption
- Ibn Khaldun used visible signs like decorative bitter oranges to symbolize rulers' corruption and inefficacy.
- His keen observations linked societal decay to loss of moral governance and lavish excesses.
