Liberty in Akhundzadeh's and Kermani's Thoughts

Abstract

Here I examine the modern idea of liberty in works of Akhundzadeh and Kermani – two leading Iranian intelligentsia under the Qajar Iran (1794–1925). In doing so, first, I set forth a brief (intellectual) background that shows some of the influences of Iranian, Russian, and European scholars on Akhundzadeh and Kermani. Then, their thoughts will be represented systematically by following a simple theoretical framework driven from their works. Applying one model to both cases particularly helps to demonstrate their similarities and differences, as well as how fundamentally different was their understanding of liberty from their contemporaries. To Akhundzadeh and Kermani, life under the Qajars resembled the lawless state of nature, transcending which, however, required more than establishing laws. For the transcendence to occur, a revolution in mind was needed; and for that matter to happen, liberty was a critical prerequisite and consequence.