Tarikh Islam

Philosophical studies of history are divided into two branches: 'theoretical or substantive philosophy of history' and 'analytical or critical philosophy of history'. The theoretical philosophy of history is a model of philosophy of realities in which the general meaning and trend of history is studied. The present paper deals with a critical review of Toynbee's view of history. He regards the unit of civilization as the real arena for historical researches or the rational sphere for historical studies. Empirical and inductive approach applied by Toynbee as an essential method in historical study of civilizations is taken to be among the principles and bases governing his theoretical philosophy of history. His model of challenge and response to such challenge is the criterion for taking history as a rule-governed phenomenon, and it is regarded as the origin and the reason for the rise and decline of civilizations. For Toynbee, a civilization ends in establishing a universal religion and all human history or the whole process of emergence of a civilization leads to creative divine justice. For him, Christianity is the final goal of human history and the ultimate goodness for humankind.