Saudi Arabia experiencing transformational development in the realm of philosophy

Interest amongst citizens in philosophy is rising encouraged by government support for the rediscovered discipline

This transformational development is part of the Kingdom's broad Vision 2030 reforms, which also support women's rights, a developed legislative system, and a renewed economic policy
Julien Pacaud
This transformational development is part of the Kingdom's broad Vision 2030 reforms, which also support women's rights, a developed legislative system, and a renewed economic policy

Saudi Arabia experiencing transformational development in the realm of philosophy

In the mindsets of Arabs and Muslims, philosophy is a long-standing and long-term cultural journey. As it passes many milestones, it sparks just as many lively debates.

One famous clash occurred between 10thcentury Persian philosopher Al-Ghazali and 11thcentury Andalusian philosopher Ibn Rushd on 'The Incoherence of the Philosophers' and then deepened into ‘The Incoherence of ‘the Incoherence of the Philosophers’.

Such clashes are likely to continue for several centuries, alongside other such discussions and may one day amount to a central foundation for opinion on the feasibility of philosophy, in general, and its relationship to Islam, in particular.

That can reveal the conservative historical view in Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries towards philosophy and the anxiety which it provokes among the ranks of some social groups in such countries.

Modern roots

Philosophy came to the attention of scholars in Saudi Arabia in the 1960s and 1970s, although the subject was not necessarily identified with its name for students sent abroad on government-funded programmes.

Nonetheless, they encountered philosophy's characteristics, learning about methods of inference, such as induction, deduction and syllogism, which became a visible aspect of studying mathematics and social sciences in the Kingdom.

Awareness of philosophical techniques increased via applications in traditional areas such as Arabic grammar and the principles of Islamic jurisprudence.

Philosophy soon proved essential to the development of new major theories in a range of intellectual practices — from the social sciences to formal scientific research. It has become clear that separating philosophy from science is practically impossible, making it important to distinguish between what is acceptable from the discipline and what is not.

The National Festival for Heritage and Culture, popularly known as Al-Janadriyah, which launched a cultural programme in the mid-1980s, provided one of the main milestones for philosophical discourse and a platform for it.

Another was the transformation of the Riyadh Book Fair into an international festival in the mid-2000s. It helped put philosophical titles into libraries and readers' hands, after a period when philosophy books were banned.

In 2008, within two years of the transformation of the International Book Fair, the Philosophical Circle — or Harf — was launched through the Riyadh Literary Club to form the first local gathering focused on philosophy. At the same time, the Hail Literary Club showed greater interest in philosophical writings and lectures and organised seminars about it.

Similar activities appeared in other regions, taking the conversation in and around philosophical matters outside universities and into the social realm — at least in elite circles.

Most notable among them was the launch of the Garland of Philosophy forum (or diwan al falsafah) from the Jeddah Literary Club, the Knowledge Circle in the Eastern Province, and the Philosophical Peace Forum within the Najran Literary Club.

There were also qualitative contributions of the King Abdulaziz Centre for World Culture — or Ithra — in Dhahran, which offered specialised programmes and lectures.

Then, at the end of 2018, came a turning point.

The Saudi Ministry of Education announced the introduction of philosophy and law into secondary schools. From here, philosophy's principles and the practice of critical thinking entered general education — aiming to move schooling from an instruction-based approach to one which encourages thought, questioning and the ability to make deductions.

Then, at the end of 2018, came a turning point. The Saudi Ministry of Education announced the introduction of philosophy and law into secondary schools. From here, philosophy's principles and the practice of critical thinking entered general education

This transformational development is part of the Kingdom's broad Vision 2030 reforms, which also support women's rights, a developed legislative system, a renewed economic policy, and unprecedented programmes in the fields of entertainment, culture, sports and tourism.

Growing interest

Since 2018, discussion of philosophy and its most famous books and prominent pioneers has grabbed press headlines and has featured in online forums and blogs. The increase in popularity is evident at the Riyadh International Book Fair where, year after year, demand from young men and women for philosophy books has risen.

Alongside Harf, two other institutional projects for philosophy in Saudi Arabia have developed: the Mana (the meaning) platform and the Hekmah(the wisdom) magazine.

Mana is a cultural foundation and publishing house interested in philosophy, launched in March 2019. Founded by film director Badr Al-Hamoud, it comprises a local team alongside consultants from different countries. It formed an alliance with the Misk Al-Kutub (fragrance of books) initiative, which is part of the Misk Foundation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman.  

The initiative aims to translate 100 titles from various fields of knowledge into Arabic. In addition to translating books, Mana has been active in publishing dozens of interviews, articles and specialised philosophical studies, alongside its podcast.

Meanwhile,Hekmahmagazine was founded by physician and publisher Youssef Al-Samaan. It specialises in translating philosophical papers and studies from international encyclopaedias and peer-reviewed journals, most notably the Stanford Philosophical Encyclopaedia.

Hekmahhas also worked on publishing translations.

It reviews of dozens of philosophical books and several other fields of knowledge and makes them available to the public — either in electronic versions on its website or in print through Dar Jadawelin Beirut, which Al-Samaan co-owns with the researcher and journalist Muhammad Al-Seif.

Mana and Hekmahhave contributed to the efforts of those interested in philosophy to form bridges of knowledge for the Saudi and Arab reader to learn about classical and contemporary writings in philosophy.

They have also paved the way for interested people and translators in the country to develop their contribution to philosophy. And so, with these two initiatives, domestic interest in philosophy has shifted from individual endeavours to institutional action.

The shift was also helped by the launch in mid-2020 of The Saudi Journal of Philosophical Studies.

An expanding discipline

The first civil society specialising in philosophy was established in Riyadh in November 2020. It aims to raise human and moral awareness and promote the values of coexistence and tolerance through dialogue, knowledge, and critical thinking skills.

Its chairman is Abdullah Al-Mutairi, professor of philosophical foundations for education at King Saud University. The society launched public programmes including lectures, seminars and specialised workshops.

It includes the philosophical circle Harf and launched the magazine Mukabesat(interactive enlightenments) in addition to its Little Philosopher programme directed at children and young people. Meanwhile, it also organised a Philosophical Terms competition to spread public awareness of the discipline.

SPA
The first international conference on philosophy in KSA, Dec. 2021

Eight reading clubs that cover philosophy, among other fields of knowledge and arts, have been officially registered in the last two years. The Al-Kindi Club for the Philosophy of Values was also established in Riyadh. This trend for social groupings around philosophy brings interested people together and is likely to lead to new projects.

At the end of 2021, the first international conference on philosophy in the history of the KSA was held. It was organised by the Ministry of Culture,represented by the Literature, Publishing and Translation Commission at the King Fahd National Library in Riyadhand was the first institutional interaction between Saudi and international philosophical societies.

Participants included UNESCO, the President of the World Congress of Philosophy, and a group of philosophy professors from a range of internationally renowned universities. The conference featured 30 sessions, lectures and workshops and is set to become a regular event in Saudi Arabia.

The main topic of the first meeting was the philosophical orientations of 'the unexpected', highlighting the relationship between Islam and philosophy, privacy in the modern world, and the importance of training of children in philosophy.

The conference which held great symbolic value focused on the discipline's contemporary characteristics and its potential influence on the future, rather than the historical nature of philosophical debate.

Meanwhile, the first centre specialising in philosophical research and the study of ethics— the latest development of the discipline — was licensed last year.

The Saudi Centre of Philosophy and Ethics —SCOPE — aims to bring philosophy to the general public, enrich the cultural sector with its activities, and create an environment conducive to meeting society's philosophical and ethical needs. The centre seeks to fulfil its role via three main methods: research and consulting, training and education, and publications and events.

Saudi Arabia has gradually created space for philosophical knowledge and local and international interaction on related topics. Today, it is ready for more — especially regarding contemporary philosophy and how modern thought can shape the future, as well as spark vital new questions.

There are three main conclusionswe can draw from the modern history of philosophy in the Kingdom.

Firstly, it has modernised its views on modern thought — especially when compared to several other Arab experiences.

 

The Saudi government has shown an evident seriousness in opening space for philosophy — bringing it into schools and wider society and interested citizens have been empowered to discuss it.

Secondly, the Saudi government has shown an evident seriousness in opening space for philosophy— bringing it into schools and wider society. Interested citizens have been empowered to discuss it and expertise from all over the world has been brought in to do the same. This support has helped Saudis catch up and extend the role of philosophy in public discourse.

Finally, as Saudi Arabia's engagement with philosophy deepens, it will move beyond the traditional stages of the discipline's traditional questions to engage in more contemporary thought.

This will require a high level of intellectual ambition as well as a depth of knowledgewhich must considerlocal identity and relevant ethical frameworks.

All things considered, Saudi Arabia must not lose sight of the international context, the rapid and accelerating technological transformation, and the social impact all of this will entail.

font change

Related Articles