Reza Davari Ardakani Iranian philosopher and thinker Date of Birth: 06.06.1933 Country: Iran

1. Reza Davari Ardakani: An Iranian Philosopher and Thinker
2. Early Life and Education
3. Academic Career and Contributions
4. Controversy and Criticism
5. Philosophical Vision

Reza Davari Ardakani: An Iranian Philosopher and Thinker

Reza Davari Ardakani is a prominent Iranian philosopher and thinker who has significantly contributed to intellectual thought in Iran.

Early Life and Education

Born in June 1933 in Ardekan, Davari Ardakani completed his secondary education in his hometown. He later graduated from Isfahan Preparatory University in 1951 and joined the Ministry of Culture. From 1953 to 1955, he studied Arabic grammar, jurisprudence, and Islamic philosophy at the Sadr Madrasah in Isfahan. In 1955, he enrolled in the philosophy faculty at the University of Tehran, where he earned his doctorate in 1967. His dissertation, titled "Practical Wisdom in Plato and Aristotle and Its Influence on Farabi's Political Philosophy," was supervised by Yahya Mahdavi.

Academic Career and Contributions

Throughout his illustrious career, Davari Ardakani has held various academic positions. He became a faculty member at the University of Tehran in 1983 and served as the institution's president from 1998 to 2007. He is also a founding member of the Academy of Sciences of Iran, which he has led since 1989.

Davari Ardakani is known for his prolific writings spanning various intellectual disciplines, including philosophy, culture, and religion. He has authored over sixty books and numerous articles that have profoundly influenced Iranian thought. His works focus on the concept of questioning and the role of philosophy in addressing fundamental human concerns.

Controversy and Criticism

Davari Ardakani has been a controversial figure in the years following the Iranian Revolution. He has been dubbed the "Philosopher of the Islamic Republic" and has been accused by critics of being an advocate for authoritarianism. However, he has defended his views, arguing that liberal democracy and religious rule cannot coexist.

Philosophical Vision

Davari Ardakani is a proponent of philosophical inquiry and method. He views philosophy as a path to understanding the nature of existence and believes that it has suffered from a lack of questioning in the contemporary world. He emphasizes the importance of critical thinking and the exploration of fundamental questions about human nature and the world around us.