Ahlāq al-Nāṣirī
Ahlāq al-Nāṣirī is a systematic book of ethics written by Nasiruddin al-Ṭūsī based on the book Tehzīb al-Akhlāq written by Ibn Miskawayh. The authors who wrote books on ethics after al-Ṭūsī took Ahlāq al-Nāṣirī as a model. The first chapter, Tezhīb al- Akhlāq deals with moral philosophy; the second chapter, Tedbīr al-menzil, with household management, economy and education; and the third chapter, Siyāset-i mudun, with political philosophy and state administration. In the principles section of the first chapter, which is translated into Turkish under the title Moral Education, the subject and principles of morality, the human soul and its powers, the characteristics that distinguish this soul from others, the superior position of humans in this world, the competence and deficiency of the human soul, what enables the soul to be competent, the good and happiness as the purpose of competence are discussed. In the second part titled Purposes, the definition, truth and changeability of temperament, moral education as the highest art, virtues that constitute good morals, vices that are the opposite of virtues, the difference between virtues and virtue-like states, the superiority of the virtue of justice, the order of acquiring virtues and the level of happiness, the protection of the health of the soul and the treatment of the diseases of the soul are examined. The second chapter, Household Management, deals with the necessity of a home, the rudiments of a home, the management of goods and food, the management of a spouse, the education of children, the respecting of the rights of parents, and the management of servants. The third chapter, State Management, examines the need for socialization, the nature and virtue of sociality, love, assembly and types of state, the management and rules of the sovereign, the management and manners of officials, friendship and enmity. The book ends with Plato’s recommendations. Although the book is written in a philosophical style, religious references, poetry and stories are used when necessary.
Keywords: Morality, virtue, moral education, mental health, household management, state administration