Ibn Khaldun - (Anthropology's Ancestors) by Lawrence Rosen (Paperback)

About the Book

Ibn Khaldun's theory of history, economics, and group cohesion has influenced thinkers far beyond his North African homeland. His holistic approach foreshadowed modern social science, blending direct observation with cultural interpretation. A vital precursor to contemporary anthropology, his insights on solidarity, religion, and society remain relevant today.

Book Synopsis

Ibn Khaldun's theory of dynastic history, economics, and group cohesion has drawn attention far beyond his North African home. He holds a unique place in the Western imagination, cited by figures as diverse as Mark Zuckerberg and President Ronald Reagan. His holistic, functionalist approach foreshadowed the development of modern social science. Whether analyzing kin-based solidarity, the role of religion in communal life, or the interplay between the universal and the particular, his emphasis on direct observation and cultural interpretation makes him a vital progenitor to contemporary anthropology.

About the Author

Lawrence Rosen is the Cromwell Professor of Anthropology Emeritus at Princeton University and Adjunct Professor Emeritus of Law at Columbia University. He is a member of the bar of the United States Supreme Courtand has received multiple teaching awards and the Royal Anthropological Institute's Donne Award