Document Type : Original Article
Author
Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract
Introduction
The theory of ethics of care is one of the attractive and innovative perspectives in contemporary moral education which is worth contemplating and attention from psychological and philosophical perspectives. In the works of Sa’di, both in his poetry and prose, there are many phrases, verses and anecdotes that can be examined and researched from the perspective of different sciences and knowledge, such as philosophy and psychology. Sa’di, with all his knowledge, wisdom and awareness, has used methods similar to the principles of the theory of ethics of care in addressing and improving social issues faced by individuals in society. By revisiting his works and studying the intellectual similarities between Sa’di and other thinkers, a solid foundation can be established for cultural and intellectual exchanges between different cultures and schools of thought. Today, fields such as philosophy, management, sociology, psychology, literature, and others are linked to the topics of education and moral upbringing, and the analysis of textual patterns and literary prose works provides valuable insights into social problems.
Mosleh al-Din Sa’di Shirazi (606-690 AH) is an Iranian poet and writer who has spoken about teaching moral subjects and is regarded as one of the great social mentors who considers education as the foundation of human well-being and happiness. Consequently, he has incorporated practical wisdom and educational admonitions in his poems and stories.
This study demonstrates that some of Sa’di's poems and stories are consistent and similar to the theoretical foundations and concepts of ethics of care and compassion-based educational theories proposed by Nel Noddings (born in 1929), an American philosopher of education. Noddings considers human beings as the center of moral education and believes that individuals, when faced with compassion, experience a state of distress and anxiety. As a result of this awakening, they recognize the needs of others, similar to their own needs, and strive to fulfill them, to the extent that they consider the needs of others as their own.
Methodology
This article is an interdisciplinary research in the field of humanities, conducted using a descriptive method based on content analysis and data collection from library resources. The study is a survey that focuses on evaluating content extraction. To analyze the data, the concepts and content of Nel Noddings' theory of care were extracted based on her works, and then a comparative study was conducted between Sa’di's "Golestan" and "Boostan" and the theoretical foundations and principles of Nel Noddings' ethics of care to determine and interpret the level of alignment of the poems and stories.
The present article answers the following question in its core discussion:
What are the instances of ethics of care from Nel Noddings' perspective in Sa’di's works?
Conclusion
In his works, Sa’di is compassionate towards all the people of the world. He desires kindness for all humanity and advocates for peace. . He empathizes with the disabled and the unfortunate and encourages and advises benefactors to act kindly and virtuously
Discussion and Conclusion
Based on the research findings, Sa’di's works extensively exhibit emotional concern for others and compassion for people globally. Attention to human values and emotional concern is a significant aspect of Sa’di's relational ethics. Some key specific findings of this article are as follows:
Ethics of care from Nel Noddings and Sa’di emphasize affection. Ethics is evoked by a sense of duty, which is the essence of ethics of compassion
- According to Sa’di and Noddings, the main basis of moral education is responsible behavior, acceptance and accountability.
- Ethics based on the authenticity of affection, is approved by Sa’di and Noddings.
- Sa’di's ethics of compassion is universal and encompasses all humankind. In Sa’di's worldview, benevolence and assistance to others should be demonstrated through actions, and those who practice selflessness are superior to others.
- Sa’di and Noddings talk about maintaining and establishing communication between people. Communication gives meaning to human life.
- According to Noddings’ emotional school and Sa’di's view, the feeling of sympathy and emotionalism makes us share in the sadness and happiness of others. Sa’di, in the first chapter of Boostan, under the title "On justice, planning, and judgement", equates those who do not have a spirit of benefit to others as stones.
- From the point of view of Sa’di and Noddings, the ethics of care leads us to treat others ethically.
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