Political Philosophy (1): Terminology and Methodology An Interview with Āyatullāh Muḥamad Taqi Misbāh

Defining and explaining the main terms are necessary in any discipline. In this discussion, contemporary terms in the philosophical and political literature, which have become part of popular culture, are used. The term, "political philosophy" is used to convey different meanings: first, it is assumed as part of philosophy; secondly it means the ontology of political science, thirdly it is meant to consist of both the perceptual and affirmative foundations of this discipline, and still in a fourth use, it involves a second-order study of politics, and the discipline is a subject of such an investigation. Political sciences have their own subject matter and methodology, according to which they solve their problems. Problems investigated in the political sciences are based on certain universal principles, which are their foundations—and not their problems. A collection of such principles is called political philosophy. "Islamic political philosophy" refers to those fundamental issues in the discipline of political sciences that are rationally discussed and established. It is "Islamic" either because its issues and subject matters are determined by Islamic sources narrated from the Prophet and the infallible Imams, or because its problems are suggested by Muslim philosophers, or because it is a philosophical enterprise capable of establishing Islamic ideas and teachings. Providing solutions for the same subject matters, based on revelation, belongs to another discipline, called "political theology".