A comparison of the Views of Ibn Khaldun and Montesquieu in terms of the Effect of Climatic Conditions on Human Life

摘要

There is a significant similarity between Ibn Khaldun, having lived in the Northern Africa in theudfourteenth century and Montesquieu in terms of their ideas concerning the direct effect of geographical conditionsudand climate on human life. According to Ibn Khaldun, who divided the world into seven climatic regions from theudsouth to the north, the fourth climatic zone located just in the centre is the most suitable place to live. Theudmoralities and personality features of the people living in these regions are more moderate compared to otherudregions. Similarly, Montesquieu indicated that climate has an effect on the personalities, behavioural forms ofudpeople and the laws they enact. According to him, those living in the cold climatic zones are coldblooded, proud andudkeen on their security and freedom. As for the ones living temperate zones, it changes. In this study, the ideas ofudthe two thinkers suggesting that natural conditions have an effect on people and communities were compared.