Penulis: C. -F. Volney

C.-F. Volney, born Constantin-François Chassebœuf on February 3, 1757, was a French philosopher, historian, and orientalist, best known for his profound work “The Ruins; Or, Meditation on the Revolutions of Empires and the Law of Nature.” In his seminal book, Volney examines the collapses of civilizations to understand natural law and human society. This treatment of decayed empires serves as a reflection on the failures of human constructs against the backdrop of the inexorable laws of nature. His travels in the East, particularly in Egypt and Syria, informed his observations and provided empirical substance to his philosophizing. Volney”s critique of political and religious systems had a considerable influence on Enlightenment thinkers and contributed to later revolutionary ideologies. His erudition was based on a synthesis of empirical knowledge and rationalist inquiry, which allowed him to dissect the principles governing societies in a way that resonated with his contemporaries. As such, Volney”s work remains a critical reference point in the studies of the Enlightenment and the socio-historical discourse on empires. Characteristic of his literary style is a rationalistic scrutiny blended with empirical observations, underscored by a notable lucidity and an earnest quest for universal truths beyond the debris of fallen greatness.