­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­Persian philosophy

The Old Iranian philosophical traditions and thoughts lead to Persian philosophy which is originated in the ancient Indo-Iranian roots. These traditions were influenced by the teachings of Zarathustra which appeared in between 1000-588 BCE. Zoroastrianism is the religion which based the wisdom of Zarathustra. This wisdom has rooted the development of the Indo-Iranian philosophy.

The serious of social and political changes like Mongol invasions of Persia has brought forth a variety of schools of thought which lead to Iranian Philosophy which is also called Persian Philosophy. In a broader sense, these philosophies can be split between the Post-Islamic and the Pre-Islamic Period.

There are three main schools that are considered as the important one in Pre-Islamic Schools. They are Zoroastrianism, Manichaeism, Mazdakism.

Zoroastrianism followed the teachings of Zarathustra which was the first one to treat evil and its problem in philosophical terms. In the history of religion this is considered as one of the monotheists. The humata, hvarshatra, and hukhata which mean good thoughts, good words and good deeds respectively are considered as the base for the ethical philosophy. On the other hand, Zarathustra also established a system of rational ethics which is called Mazda-Yasna. The Post-Classical Western culture has no broad idea about the philosophy of Zarathustra till the late of 18^th century. But, Greek and Roman philosophies were greatly influenced by the teachings of Zarathustra.

The Persian religious preacher Mani found Manichaeism which was one of the most widespread religions in the world with its territories from the Western Europe to the Northern Africa to the China in the East. Thought it spread quickly throughout the world, it faced its death before the 16^th century. Neo-Manichaeism was the modern revival which attempted to recover Manichaeism which has got subtle influence in the Western Christian thought through St. Augustine. St. Augustine has converted himself from Manichaeism to Christianity.

Mazdak found Mazdakism which posited a dualistic cosmology as like Manichaeism. This Proto-socialist who died in 524 or 528 instituted many social welfare programs and communal possessions claiming himself to be the prophet of God. Mazdak stressed on the good conduct of the human being involving itself greatly on the moral and ascetic life. No eating of flesh and killing is advocated in this religion.

On the other hand, the Post-Islamic Schools of Persian philosophy includes a numerous schools of thought of which Mutazilism, Asharism, Avicennism, and Averroism are of some importance. These early Islamic Philosophies had a great impact on the rise of the modern philosophy. The science of citation, the method of open inquiry, the separation of theology and law are some of the development that are included in the Islamic philosophy.

Questions:

• What is the origin of Persian Philosophy?
• What are the significant Pre-Islamic schools?