Evolution of Societies: A Comparative Study of Ibn Khaldun and Herbert Spencer

Ibn Khaldun is renowned as a remarkable Islamic historiographer and a political philosopher, while Herbert Spencer is known as a Social Darwinist and a western positivist. Comparing both these legends would be fascinating due to the obvious differences between their cultural, temporal and philosophical foundations. However, both have significant contributions in the field of Sociology. In the philosophical understanding of history comprehending the science of society has been an age old concern. Both these eminent thinkers provided a key to understand social development and complex nature of societies. Since their ideas share a common vision to unearth universal laws governing social cohesion, state formation, and historical change. For a comprehensive understanding, this paper will analyze the legacy, theories, methodologies and goals of Ibn Khaldun and Herbert Spencer separately in Section 1 and section 2. Whereas, the focal point of section 3 will be to compare and contrast their works with respect to their contributions in the domain of Sociology. The current study aims to signify the importance and relevance of both these legends in the current era through comparative analysis. The paper shall conclude by highlighting the insights of both thinkers that have enable contemporary sociologists to develop an understanding of society in a holistic manner.