The Role and Methodology of Practical Philosophy in the View of Farabi

In the general meaning of the term, philosophy is divided into theoretical and practical philosophy. Sometimes, Farabi refers to practical philosophy as ‘human philosophy’ or ‘social philosophy’. It is the extension and reflection of theoretical philosophy in the actions and behavior of the human being. He understands practical philosophy to be a science the propositions of which can be demonstrated. Keeping in mind the properties of such sciences, it is possible to understand the distinctions of practical philosophy from the point of view of Farabi. One of these is that the propositions of this science are in accordance with reality due to the fact that they are certain. They do not depend on human convention. In the practical philosophy, if one wants to form a syllogism, then it is necessary to use certain premises. The propositions of practical philosophy are reports. They are not conventional in nature. Therefore, ‘must’ and ‘must not’ have no place in this science. The topic of practical philosophy is the voluntary action of man that plays a role in his felicity. Keeping in mind all of these distinctions, it must be stated that practical philosophy is a real science, not a conventional one.