A comparative study of Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler's views on the cyclical theory of historical development and civilisation

Abstract

The thesis examines and discusses a comparative study of Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler's views on the cyclical theory of historical development and civilisation. The thesis provides the critical biographies of Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler to better understand both thinkers' philosophical perspectives on history and civilisation. The study explains and compares the theories of Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler. The thesis seeks to facilitate the claim that Oswald Spengler and Ibn Khaldun had a comparable theory on the development and collapse of states and civilisations though they lived in different epochs. It is claimed throughout the study that Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler's perspectives on history, society, and civilisation are less subjective and more rational. Also, the study finds despite their similarities on cyclical history, the ideas of Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler differ from each other, particularly on how civilisation grows and the age of civilisation. Furthermore, the thesis examines on those perspectives which criticise Ibn Khaldun and Oswald's theories as offered by other researchers. Finally, Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler's interpretations and definitions of history and civilisation resulted in significant innovation in human science. In order to achieve high accuracy, the study adopts qualitative research techniques to achieve the study' s objectives. Ibn Khaldun and Oswald Spengler had a multi-dimensional outlook of civilisation and history, as well as the way history develops. When they talk about history, they do not only look at history from one side, but they also ponder the different sides of the subject. This definitely deserves for a new analysis in order to better understand their theory formulation and understanding on the said subject matter.