By Michail Theodosiadis and Elias Vavouras

Publication Date: 2024
Journal Name: Religions
Abstract

This study reflects on aspects of the Pythagorean political philosophy and compares them to those of Abu Nasr Muhammad al-Fārābī’s thought. Both share a key assumption: excellent rulers must be political scientists who seek divine guidance to ensure the prevalence of reason over passions in public life while reconciling society with the harmony and wisdom of the cosmos. By imitating God’s perfection and incorporating divine wisdom into governance, virtuous rulers promote felicity, prosperity and peace within a city. We highlight al-Fārābī’s emphasis on the role of religion in enabling citizens to internalize the wisdom of the cosmos, thereby minimising the need for coercion in the pursuit of order and social concord. In addition, the populace leverages the superior knowledge of each governor while observing their behaviour. Thus, the people have a share in the exercise of political power. This insistence on the involvement of the populace in politics aligns with the concept of ‘political Prometheism’.

 

Keywords: al-Fārābī; Pythagorean school; Arabic philosophy; ancient Greek philosophy; leadership; Prometheus; religion and politics; human agency; cosmic wisdom; divine harmony; Neoplatonism; Alexandrian platonism

 

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15101280
File to download: PDF