The Explanation of the Criteria for Ibn Khaldun Accepting Second-Hand Information - Essay Example

This research is divisible into mainly three parts from. It mainly focuses on the explanation of the criteria for Ibn Khaldun accepting second-hand information about the past. The criteria are mainly elaborated by highlighting on the main arguments he presents. The second portion lies in the importance of various criteria in understanding the history and finally elaborating on the standards he applies while evaluating historical information. Ibn Khalduns criterion for accepting second-hand information about the past According to (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 191), Ibn Khalduns developed very crucial models for assessing and accepting of the historical information. His way of thinking highly attracted great masses of Muslim thinkers as in same regards with the western thinkers. He basically pioneered in his sector of subjecting historical report to mainly two basic and fundamental criteria of with extensive consideration for the reason. Apart from the reason he also applied social and subsequent physical laws in determining the authenticity of the reports he was able to assess. Ibn Khaldun elaborated the following four main points as the major sections for consideration. He considers relation of events to one another by assessing the cause and effect factors. He also considered drawing analogy in between the present and past. Thirdly, Ibn Khalduns considered the influence and consideration of the effect of the ambiance or environment. The last and fourth consideration was in consideration of the effect regarding the inherited or economic conditions. Ibn Khaldun designed and pioneered the essential approach to the study of history and thus created a revolution. He availed an analytical research and study of human civilization process from its beginning. He elaborated the factor that prompted the human development and eventual causes of decline of the development process. Ibn Khaldun is referred to as the founder of the science intosocial development or otherwise called sociology in the modern world. In his arguments, Ibn Khaldun says that, "I have written on history a book in which I discussed the causes and effects of the development of states and civilizations, and I followed in arranging the material of the book an unfamiliar method, and I followed in writing it a strange and innovative way" (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 88). The derivation of the two models of arguments is important as it devises the two particularly relevant sectors of study that is the analysis of the Historiology and Sociology. According to Ibn Khaldun, history is mainly a subject of the universal law, and he then devised the criterion for enabling of historical truth (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 1981). Consistent with (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 141), Ibn Khaldun states that, "The rule for distinguishing what is true from what is false in history is based on its possibility or impossibility: That is to say, we must examine human society and discriminate between the characteristics which are essential and inherent in its nature and those which are accidental and need not be taken into account, recognizing further those which cannot possibly belong to it. If we do this, we have a rule for separating historical truth from error by means of demonstrative methods that admits of no doubt. It is a genuine touchstone by which historians may verify whatever they relate" (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 38). Ibn Khaldun was mainly notable in expressing his concern for the urge and need for emphasizing the necessity in subjection of both social and historical cases to inclusive, comprehensive, scientific and objective evaluation. His basic foundation of the argument was that such phenomena were generated not by a chance but came out of controlled by laws derived from the own purposeful nature. He noted that such laws required discovery and analysis for use in the human society, civilization and storage for historical purpose. Ibn Khaldun noted several errors amongst the historians while undertaking their historical research process. He noted the ignorance regarding the natures of civilization and variation of. He was also able to identify the r bias or prejudice and lastly their short-sighted or blind acceptance of various reports availed by some of them (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 11). Ibn Khaldun insisted on pointing out the true progress or development that he said came from impeccable comprehension of history. He further observed that the true account of history could only be achieved by recognizing three main points. The first observation was that historians must not create prejudice for or against any idea. The historian should deeply assess and scrutinize the information (reported information) delivered to him. Ibn Khaldun concentrates on the essence of having the background of the researcher, for instance, his morals and ability of trustworthiness prior to accepting their reports. He also states that a historian should not basically limit their research on levels of political and military news regarding the rulers of the kingdoms and states. In his final segment, he demands that history study should vehemently entail social, economic and religious states. Ibn Khaldun recorded a great deal of his work in the Muqaddimah that people read and noted their importance during his lifetime (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 98). Importance of the criteria to understand the history According to (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 81), importance of the cause and effect criteria that was developed by Ibn Khalduns in understanding of the historical fact is mainly erected on the essence of correlation and input of science in it. In science terms, correlation does not mainly infer or imply causation as an individual might know. After reading a scientific study, two variables might be noted to have some association without regards to the causal relationship. Cause and effect essence in history enables the expansion of the library of knowledge found in the history sector and thus avails the most relevant approach. The valuable approach is highly important in actualizing the retention of the relevant information while rejecting information or details that might as well be useless. Cause and effects create a basis for substantiating the past historical researches that may expound the historical sectors of knowledge. The theory derived in the process in combination with other scientific researches provides proofs with regards to validation of past historical reports. The greatest limitation falls on obtaining true records of what happened millions of years ago. Following years of study, researches and history have always been entrenched on crucial essence like correlation-oriented studies, cause and effects. The elements are not mainly important in history analysis but also in sciences and other discipline researches. The scientific essence is limited by the fact that correlation normally has very inhibitive application value especially on causative inference. The essence that correlation does not mean causation prompts people to believe that there is a low value for correlation studies (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 161). The standard he uses to evaluate historical information Confirmable with (Ibn-Ḫaldūn & Dawood, 81), Ibn Khaldun applied scientific standards in evaluation or assessing of the historical information. Entailing of the scientific study provides the best way of revealing acceptable and desirable models for redefining the old historical reports. There has always been a great deal or amount of historical reports, but their application has always been an issue. True records of some of the data found or archaic items found contain contradicting information regarding them. Most historians before approached such information by applying too much of assumptions that further diluted and spoilt that truth is such information. Cause and effect basis analysis is highly recommendable in enabling the correct input into the library of information desired in the research process. Many historians in the past chose correlation designs that were found to harbor extreme errors in generalizations. The selection of the cause and effects provides very enhanced and elaborate matter on the study and acceptance of history essence. The use of the correlational studies is equally important in that presently developed complex correlational designs and model facilitate the use of very inhibitive or causal inferences. Normally, varied amounts of the variables are well able to be manipulated with regards to the ethical basis. In conclusion, Ibn Khaldun contributions in research and historical study reveal much-regarding pioneer research in history. He provided models that have stood the swaying moments of times and still in the application in day to day lives of the people. Researcher delves on his work to grasp guidance on the contemporary essence derived from his experiences and research work in historical terms. He facilitated the redefinition of history and comprehension of scientific analysis of history. The contribution of his criteria in analysis of religion historically provides clear and vivid picture that exposes the faults in the earlier understanding of religion. Verification of God cannot be undertaken in scientific measurement but in spiritual manner. Such faults created in Ibn Khaldun’s writing reveal some gaps that were exploited by people who thought that Ibn was against religion. The process of verification of reported history information is very important before accepting is very important as it leads to incorporation of supported historical data for future use. Absence of true records or support renders the data useless to the final consumers. Such data cannot create tangible support or evidence to stand the test of time in the process of compiling the history. Work cited Ibn-Ḫaldūn, A.-R. I.-M., & Dawood, N. J. (1981). The Muqaddimah: An introd. to history ; transl. form the Arabic by. Princeton, N.J: Princeton Univ. Press. Read More