Abstract
The humanities have some foundations such as ontology, anthropology, epistemology, methodology and axiology. Any changes of attitude towards the foundation will change the humanities. So, the discussion about the principles and foundations of the humanities is very important. This paper debates about the anthropology as one of the foundations of the humanities from the perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei.
Anthropology of humanities
Anthropology is regarded as one of the most important branches of knowledge that has considerable effect on humanistic and religious studies.[1] The term anthropology, first, used by Aristotle in the ancient Greece.[2] then, in the twentieth century, it was widely used by the western thinkers.[3] During the history, the anthropology used in different meanings, but today the anthropology in the western societies is used in the opposite meaning that is used in the religious or Islamic countries. [4] In the beginning of twentieth century anthropology used by western scientists in the meaning of exclusive studies of primitive societies, ethnic groups and tribes. [5] At the end of the twentieth century the term anthropology used by Strauss in both ancient societies and a more general public studies about human. [6] It is a scientific meaning of anthropology. [7]
Anthropology in its religious meaning means that human has some goals which he can achieve with reflecting on his existence. Human, based on his ability of attractions, tries to achieve the perfection and happiness. [8] The scientific meaning of anthropology is different from the Islamic religious meaning. Because, in its scientific meaning, human with his material aspect is concerned; whereas according to the Islamic or religious meaning, in addition to material aspect, his spiritual aspect is also concerned.
Human from the perspective of Ayatollah Khamenei
According to anthropology’s meanings, were mentioned, there are two perspectives about the human: human as a single individual and human as a group of people. Based on the Islamic perspective, the main duty of a human, in the first step, is to achieve perfection and nearness to God. Ayatollah Khamenei said the man “will approach God the Almighty”. [9] He also guides people, as the Holy Quran said: “You are the best nation produced [as an example] for mankind. You enjoin what is right and forbid what is wrong and believe in Allah” [10]
Based on the aforementioned verses, Ayatollah Khamenei said: human is “selected by God as the caliph of the earth.” [12] But according to the western thinkers, the main duty of a human is enjoying the life in this world as well as the exploitation of others. Based on these two ideas the two academic subjects (psychology and sociology) are adopted and determined by the western scholars.
References:
[1] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza. Mirzaee, (2011), “What is anthropology”, journal the human being of religious research, No.24, PP. 35 – 63.
[2] Mohammad Sadiq Farbid, (2002), anthropological principles, Tehran, peshotanu, P. 3.
[3] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza. Mirzaee, (2011), “What is anthropology”, journal the human being of religious research, No.24, PP. 35 – 63.
[4] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza. Mirzaee, (2011), “What is anthropology”, journal the human being of religious research, No.24, PP. 35 – 63.
[5] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza. Mirzaee, (2011), “What is anthropology”, journal the human being of religious research, No.24, PP. 35 – 63.
[6] Jean-Francois Dvrtyh, (2004),Humanities range of cognitions, translation of Morteza is written and others, Tehran, Publishing of Ni. PP. 28 – 29.
[7] Abdul Hossein Khosropanah and Reza. Mirzaee, (2011), “What is anthropology”, journal the human being of religious research, No.24, PP. 35 – 63.
[8] Mohammad Taghi Mesbah Yazdi, (1999), Self-knowledge for self improvement, Qom: Institute of Imam Khomeini (RA), PP. 4-5.
[9] Leader's Speech at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, May 15, 2007. (http://english.khamenei.ir/news/2096/Leader-s-Speech-at-Ferdowsi-Univers...
[10] [The Holy Quran, 3: 110]. كُنْتُمْ خَيْرَ أُمَّةٍ أُخْرِجَتْ لِلنَّاسِ تَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَتَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ; [The Holy Quran, 3: 104]. وَلْتَكُنْ مِنْكُمْ أُمَّةٌ يَدْعُونَ إِلَى الْخَيْرِ وَيَأْمُرُونَ بِالْمَعْرُوفِ وَيَنْهَوْنَ عَنِ الْمُنْكَرِ وَأُولَئِكَ هُمُ الْمُفْلِحُون
[11] [The Holy Quran, 11: 61]. هُوَ أَنْشَأَكُمْ مِنَ الْأَرْضِ وَاسْتَعْمَرَكُمْ فِيهَا
[12] Leader's Speech at Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, May 15, 2007. (http://english.khamenei.ir/news/2096/Leader-s-Speech-at-Ferdowsi-Univers...