Interdisciplinary Studies in the Humanities

A philosophical and meta-theoretical study of constructivism theory in international relations and theory of conventions (I’tibāriāt) in Islamic philosophy

Document Type : Original Research Paper

Authors

S.B. Seyednejad 1
P. Amini 2

1 Assistant Professor of International Relations, Faculty of Law and Political Science, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

2 Assistant Professor of Political Science, Faculty of Humanities, Shahed University, Tehran, Iran

https://doi.org/10.22035/isih.2024.5026.4853
Abstract
The theory of conventions (I’tibariat) in Islamic philosophy and constructivism theory in social sciences and international relations are both considered to be modern and almost contemporaneous in terms of new formation which, with different origins, natures and fate, has distinct implications and functions in the epistemic and social spheres. This study explicates the two theories and has, for the first time, regards the epistemological and ontological problematic caused by the incompatibility of “realism and constructivism” in the orthodox narratives of the theories in international relations -considered one of the most important philosophical, non-constructivist and interdisciplinary issues- as an entry into contemplation over the philosophical reconstruction of constructivism. In the course of exposition and categorization of the old and new perceptions of the theory of conventions (I’tibariat), the study contends that under an interactive approach, the two concepts could be compatible in a way that its referent is not “relativism” and “social determination of knowledge” or “denial of any subsistence or determination in the outer world”. Ultimately, the study moves away from both “raw realism” and “pure constructivism” approaches, and takes into account a consequent definition in the theory of constructivism that is not anti-realistic alhtough it “denies the external equivalent of conventions”. At the same time, cognitivism would not lose its true meaning either. The outcomes are considered more significant because in parallel with the decline of philosophical and political realism in recent decades and the epistemological confusion resulting from “the incommensurable bipolar epistemological views in international relations, namely the positivist majority on the one hand and a remarkable minority of post-positivists on the other”, the contemporary theorists of international relations have been guided to constructivist theories that the “social theory of international politics” indicates its conventional and social approach, during which and with efforts to reduce the epistemological importance of constructivism, the proposed solution is to resort to positivism and  ontological aspects of constructivism.

Keywords

Epistemology
Realism
Constructivism
Constructivism in international relations
theory of conventions (I’tibariat)

Subjects

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  • Receive Date 15 June 2023
  • Revise Date 26 August 2023
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