Document Type : Conceptual paper (International Relation)

Author

• Reza Soleimani

Associate Professor, Faculty of Economic and Social Sciences, Bu-Ali Sina University, Hamedan, Iran

Abstract

All theories in the field of Politics and Internation Relations (IR), are inevitably based on particular ontological foundations which one of their main subcategories is anthropology. However, they have been often ignored in evaluations of IR theories. Since, it would be necessary to reinforce theoretical approaches with the theme of anthropology studies in IR, especially in regard to conceptual vacuum in this field. Consequently, the question could be offered is how the kind of imagination of human nature may be applied to make Islamic foundation for rethinking in main theoretical approaches in IR? It seems in Islam’s point, taking any absolute pessimistic or optimistic attitude toward human nature is the common weak point in Relalism and Liberalism, as two main theoretical approaches in IR, and needs to be reviewed. This article is going to rethink seriously in anthropological foundations of these two theoretical schools in international politics. Hence, in the frame work of metatheoretical approach, this writing would emphasize on the Islamic perspective on thinking about anthropological foundations of Idealism and Realism. Understanding some anthropological differences between Islam in one hand, and realistic and liberalist approaches in IR on the other, could be regard as some results of the article.

Keywords

• anthropology
• Realism
• pessimism
• Liberalism
• optimism
• instinct
• temperament