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Al-Farabi's Political Philosophy
Al-Farabi's Political Philosophy
Introduction:
he was quite inspired by Greek philosophers, namely Aristotle and Plato, but differ them
in case of Democracy.
The two Greek philosophers were critic to Democracy but Al-Farabi considered
To understand the political view of Al-Farabi, we must have a look on his Philosophy
of life.
According to him, virtue leads the life towards Supreme Happiness (Sa’ada).
According him Sa’ada or Supreme happiness is ultimate goal of life so political regime of
He said a virtuous regime allowed his subjects to work together and live a virtuous and
noble life.
At the top of this hierarchic system. There must be one supreme ruler, a ruler similar to
a supreme leader must a source of all knowledge and power, he supports a virtuous
IGNORENT STATE:
o The states whose citizens and ruler are unaware of divine Happiness Sa’ada.
IMMORAL STATE:
o The states who know about the supreme happiness but consciously rejects the
ERRING STATE:
o They might consider the wealth as supreme happiness but Farabi argues Sa’ada is
Virtue.
VILE STATE:
BASE STATE:
DESPOTIC STATE:
o Where citizens and rulers seek for power and subjugation of others along with its
subjects.
TIMOCRATIC STATE:
o Al-Farabi believes that Timocratic state bears the potential to go through the path
STATE OF NECESSITIES:
o Where citizens only seek for security and basic survival rights.
o In state of necessities people can achieve Sa’ada as they are not totally corrupted
DEMOCRATIC STATE:
o Virtuous people can go to the path of virtue and achieve Sa’ada or Supreme
Happiness.
A huge portion of his political views are similar with Plato’s views.
Like Plato, he introduced an idea of Ideal state system which must be ruled by a intellect
or Philosopher Prophet, where Plato considered a Philosopher king for his ideal state.
He emphasized that virtue leads to supreme happiness as of Plato argued virtue leads to
justice.
happiness.
As per Plato, democracy leads irrelevant people to run the state affairs. Plato argues, such
as doctor cannot run a ship, for this purpose a captain needed to run the ship as same as a