A Review of the Book Convergence of Political Philosophy and Political Jurisprudence:

Analysis of Contemporary Jurisprudence Based on a Minimalist Approach to Fiqh/2

This approach is presented as a response to the challenges arising from the rigid separation between political philosophy and political jurisprudence. Haghighat emphasizes that modern political systems require the simultaneous utilization of both philosophical and jurisprudential approaches to effectively address social and governance needs. He believes that neglecting either of these domains results in a lack of comprehensiveness in political decision-making.

Note: The book Convergence of Political Philosophy and Political Jurisprudence by Dr. Seyed Sadeq Haghighat is one of the significant works in the field of Islamic political studies, exploring the interaction and convergence between political philosophy and political jurisprudence. Below is a brief review of the book:

Convergence of Political Philosophy and Political Jurisprudence, Dr. Seyed Sadeq Haghighat, Hermes, 2017, 546 pages.

The book is organized into two main sections: the framework of the convergence approach, and its foundations and methodology. This review briefly examines each of these sections.

Section One: Framework of the Convergence Approach

  1. Definition of Convergence
    Convergence refers to the interaction and integration of two intellectual and epistemological systems. In this book, the convergence between political philosophy and political jurisprudence is explored. The goal of this approach is to create a comprehensive epistemological framework that leverages the strengths of both domains.

Dr. Haghighat introduces convergence as an approach that seeks new ways to forge a connection between these two fields. He argues that convergence is not only feasible but also a necessity for a more comprehensive understanding of politics in Islamic societies. In this regard, convergence can be seen as a form of epistemological synergy aimed at establishing a unified system for political analysis based on Islamic teachings and philosophical rationality. This approach views politics not only as a practical matter but also as an intellectual and theoretical phenomenon.

  1. Theoretical Background of Convergence
    In this section, Dr. Haghighat examines the historical background of this idea, demonstrating that throughout the history of Islamic thought, there have been instances of interaction between philosophy and political jurisprudence. Thinkers such as Farabi, Avicenna, Khwaja Nasir al-Din Tusi, and Allameh Tabatabaei have made efforts in this direction.

Farabi, as one of the most prominent Islamic political philosophers, sought to integrate philosophical theories with Islamic teachings. He proposed the model of the “virtuous city,” in which wisdom and Sharia coexist. Avicenna also paid attention to combining reason and revelation in analyzing political issues.

Ibn Khaldun, in his Muqaddimah, analyzed social and political phenomena, showing how rational principles can play a role in understanding political transformations in Islamic societies. He sought to analyze political jurisprudence within a sociological framework.

  1. Necessity of Convergence
    This approach is presented as a response to the challenges arising from the rigid separation between political philosophy and political jurisprudence. Haghighat emphasizes that modern political systems require the simultaneous utilization of both philosophical and jurisprudential approaches to effectively address social and governance needs. He believes that neglecting either of these domains results in a lack of comprehensiveness in political decision-making.

In the contemporary world, politics demands flexibility and the ability to accurately interpret ever-changing social conditions. Haghighat believes that in such circumstances, political jurisprudence must move beyond traditional rigid frameworks and integrate with a rational understanding of politics and power.

  1. Dimensions of Convergence
    Dr. Haghighat examines convergence on three levels:
  • Epistemological Convergence: Interaction at the foundational levels of epistemology and theorization.
  • Methodological Convergence: Utilization of shared and combined methods from philosophy and jurisprudence in political analysis.
  • Practical Convergence: Application of this approach in policymaking and governance.

He believes that these three levels are complementary, and for the full realization of convergence, attention must be given to all three dimensions. He also emphasizes that various methods can be employed at each level, requiring further detailed examination.

  1. Challenges of Convergence
    This approach faces challenges such as fundamental differences between philosophy and jurisprudence, the traditionalism of some jurists, and conflicts between certain philosophical teachings and jurisprudential principles. Nevertheless, Haghighat believes that through dialogue and interaction, appropriate solutions can be found.

Section Two: Foundations and Methodology

  1. Philosophical and Jurisprudential Foundations of Convergence
    The convergence of political philosophy and political jurisprudence is based on several foundations:
  • Ontological Foundation: Acceptance of a reality in which both reason and revelation are considered sources of knowledge.
  • Epistemological Foundation: Emphasis on the interaction between philosophical rationality and the method of ijtihad.
  • Anthropological Foundation: Integration of philosophical and jurisprudential perspectives in analyzing human nature and political needs.
  • Sociological Foundation: Utilization of social theories to design an ideal political system.
  1. Methodology of Convergence
    In this section, Dr. Haghighat examines the methods used in this approach:

a) Philosophical Methods

  • Rational and logical analysis of political concepts.
  • Use of deduction and inference in examining governance issues.
  • Development of overarching theories in the fields of politics and political ethics.

b) Jurisprudential Methods

  • Ijtihad in religious texts and derivation of political rulings.
  • Examination of the conduct of the Infallibles and the historical experience of Islamic governance.
  • Application of jurisprudential principles in political analysis.

c) Combined Methods
Dr. Haghighat emphasizes that to achieve convergence, combined methods must be utilized. Some of these methods include:

  • Comparative Analysis: Comparative examination of political philosophy and political jurisprudence to identify points of convergence and divergence.
  • Hermeneutics and Interpretation: Use of interpretive methods to better understand religious texts and connect them with philosophical analyses.
  • Development of Ijtihad Methodology: Adapting jurisprudential principles to new political issues and combining them with philosophical foundations.
  1. Applications of the Convergence Methodology
    Dr. Haghighat suggests that this approach can be applied in various domains, including:
  • Islamic Governance: Proposing a model for designing a political system based on Islamic teachings and philosophical rationality.
  • Law and Legislation: Integrating jurisprudential principles and philosophical foundations in drafting laws.
  • Foreign Policy and Diplomacy: Utilizing philosophical analyses and jurisprudential rulings in international decision-making.

Conclusion
The convergence approach proposed by Dr. Seyed Sadeq Haghighat in this book is an effort to integrate two significant domains of Islamic political thought: political philosophy and political jurisprudence. While preserving the relative independence of each domain, this approach seeks their constructive interaction to create a comprehensive theoretical and practical framework.

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