The central pillar of the work is the concept of , often translated as "group feeling," "social cohesion," or "solidarity".
Written in 1377, (meaning "The Introduction" or "Prolegomena") is the seminal work of the Tunisian Arab polymath Ibn Khaldun . Originally intended as the preface to his massive universal history, Kitab al-ʿIbar , it became a standalone masterpiece that established the foundations for modern sociology, historiography, and economics . Core Philosophical Concept: Asabiyyah The Muqaddimah/Ibn Khaldun
: He outlines a predictable cyclical pattern where a group with strong asabiyyah conquers a weakened, sedentary civilization and establishes a new dynasty. The central pillar of the work is the
: He introduced a "new science" ( ilm al-umran ) to study the laws governing human society. Core Philosophical Concept: Asabiyyah : He outlines a
The work is celebrated for anticipating several modern economic concepts:
Ibn Khaldun famously criticized traditional historians for their uncritical acceptance of myths and exaggerations.