The Unfolding of Unreason: Javad Tabatabai’s Idea of Political Decline in Iran
Abstract
Javad Tabatabai, a leading theorist and historian of political thought in Iran, has presented a controversial theory regarding the causes of the decline of political thought and society in Iran over the last few centuries. His ideas on Iranian decline have affected the intellectual debates on modernity and democracy currently underway in Iran. Tabatabai's career-long research has revolved around this question: “What conditions made modernity possible in Europe and led to its abnegation in Iran?” He answers this question by adopting a “Hegelian approach” that privileges a philosophical reading of history on the assumption that philosophical thought is the foundation and essence of any political community and the basis for any critical analysis of it as well. This article critically engages with Tabatabai's ideas of “crisis,” and “decline” by challenging his exposition of the Persian tradition.
Recommended Citation
Boroujerdi, M. (2015). The Unfolding of Unreason: Javad Tabatabai’s Idea of Political Decline in Iran. Iranian Studies, 48(6), pp. 949-965. Assocation for Iranian Studies.
Department(s)
History and Political Science
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Citation
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
Copyright © Association for Iranian Studies, Inc 2023
Publication Date
November 2015