The Foundation of the Concept of Law in Allama Tabatabai's Theory of Conventional Perceptions

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of of Theology and Islamic Studies, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Theology and Islamic Studies, College of Farabi, University of Tehran, Iran

10.22059/jorr.2025.369039.1009466

Abstract

llama Tabatabai systematically introduced the theory of conventional perceptions (idrakāt iʿtibārīyah) in the sixth article of his seminal work, Principles of Philosophy and the Method of Realism. This theory opens up significant possibilities within the field of humanities, particularly in jurisprudence and legal studies. In this article, we aim first to elucidate the theory of conventional perceptions and then explore how it can underpin the conceptual foundations of law.
Allama Tabatabai distinguishes between pre-social (qabl al-ijtimaʿ) and post-social (baʿd al-ijtimaʿ) practical conventions, thereby explaining the fundamental and enduring roots of human conventions in both individual and social behavior. Among these, the principle of employment (istikhdām)—a pre-social convention—plays a critical role by establishing the necessity of legal formulation and providing its foundational basis.
An in-depth analysis of the principle of employment reveals that law emerges as a regulatory convention intended to limit and structure the inherently instrumental nature of human interactions, wherein individuals treat others as means to fulfill their own needs and objectives. This perspective enhances our understanding of the essence of law, showing how it functions to balance personal interests with collective well-being.
In this light, Allama Tabatabai’s theory offers a robust philosophical framework for interpreting the function of law within human societies and serves as a valuable foundation for the evolution of contemporary legal thought..

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References

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Religious Researches
Volume 21, Issue 2
July 2025
Pages 93-102

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 June 2024
  • Revise Date: 10 March 2025
  • Accept Date: 05 April 2025

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