New research initiatives launched in early 2026 are taking a fresh look at the intellectual legacy of Miskawayh (d. 1030), a philosopher whose work deeply impacted the medieval Afghan and Persian intellectual spheres. A dedicated workshop has begun investigating the connection between Miskawayh's administrative career and his philosophical sparring with contemporary thinkers. The research focuses on his seminal work, Tajarib al-Umam, exploring how he synthesized ethical discipline with historical record-keeping.
This scholarly effort seeks to bridge the gap between Miskawayh's identity as a historian and his role as a philosopher of virtue. By examining the values taught in the Buyid chancery, researchers are uncovering how ancient administrative ethics influenced the broader philosophical discourse of the 11th century. This initiative is expected to result in several publications that re-evaluate the "philosophy of history" as it was practiced in the eastern reaches of the Islamic world.
