An overview of the role of imagination and art in society, with a focus on Islamic philosophy

Abstract

Literature and art in any historical period emerge from the social conditions of that period, so that sociologists can rely on it as a main source for the social study of that period. The sociology of art, through the study of literary and artistic works, can determine some of the conditions that govern the period of production of those works and describe and explain the conditions of that society. “Imagination” and its relationship to society is what is discussed in this article as the cornerstone of art. It seems that understanding and explaining the impact and influence of art and society depends on discussing the basic element of art. How can imagination, which is considered the cornerstone of art, take on the character of society and make literary and artistic works a text that expresses the social and cultural conditions of society at the time of the artist? Basically, what is the relationship between imagination and reason? Did imagination exploit reality so that the sociologist could describe a real society by studying works of art produced by the imagination? The relationship between imagination and reason may initially surprise some. Perhaps because in the popular sense the field of imagination is considered the furthest field from political and social realities, and even imaginative thinking is condemned on social issues. This research seeks to answer questions and correctly understand imagination and its functions. After a brief reference, it addresses sociological approaches to art with a philosophical and ontological view of imagination and the world of imagination, then its relationship to art, and finally shows the relationship of works of art to society.