Syed Farid Alatas is a Malaysian author and educator whose work delves into the sociology of Islam, social theory, and religion and reform. His research explores inter-religious dialogue, with a current focus on Salafism within the Malay world. Alatas's approach emphasizes a deep understanding of societal and religious currents and their interplays.
Focusing on Ibn Khaldun's contributions to sociology, the book explores the reasons behind his marginalization in contemporary discourse. It highlights his theories and offers strategies for integrating his insights into modern sociological frameworks, aiming to elevate his significance within the field.
Read nearly 50 years after its original publication, this extended essay on Raffles reads as fresh and relevant. Presented here for a new audience, it sets out the key elements of the debate in understanding Raffles' own political philosophy through the record of his actions, not just in Singapore, but in Southeast Asia.
By introducing non-Western and female perspectives, this book critiques the traditional sociological canon, highlighting biases of Eurocentrism and androcentrism. It examines both well-known 'founding fathers' and overlooked thinkers, challenging the notion that only Western European and North American males contributed to sociological theory in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. With a global scope, it aims to restructure the understanding of classical sociology and serves as a valuable teaching resource for students exploring its development.