Final answer:
Ibn Khaldun, an Arab historian, played a key role in establishing the foundations of several social sciences, including sociology, demography, and cultural history. He introduced Asabiyyah, a concept of social cohesion and was one of the first to propose a scientific method for social sciences. He also gave a theory on social conflict related to the struggle over scarce resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ibn Khaldun was a pioneer in the field of sociology. His contributions in establishing the foundations of several social sciences are immense. As an Arab historian, he is most recognized for his work, Muqaddimah or 'Introduction' which laid the groundwork for disciplines such as sociology, demography, and cultural history.
He introduced the concept of Asabiyyah, a social cohesion concept that plays a central role in the rise and fall of states and societies. He was also among the very first to study the phenomenology of history and propose a scientific methodology to the social sciences—focused on cause and effect relationships and avoiding supernatural explanations.
Additionally, Ibn Khaldun established a theory of social conflict, explaining that inequality and conflicts in society often occur due to struggles over scarce resources. In summary, Ibn Khaldun's sociological work can be seen as a precursor to many modern disciplines within the social sciences.
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