Ashraf Boroujerdi was born into a period of immense upheaval in Iranian history. His life unfolded against the backdrop of the rise of nationalist sentiments, the growing influence of Western powers in the region, and the tensions between modernity and tradition that marked Iranian intellectual and political life. His early intellectual journey was deeply influenced by these forces, and his thought became a response to both the allure of Western modernization and the yearning for a more authentic, locally grounded Iranian identity.
One of the key themes of Boroujerdi’s thought was his critique of Western imperialism. His intellectual output often engaged with the ideas of prominent Western philosophers and political thinkers, but he always viewed their work through the lens of Iranian history and culture. This perspective allowed him to offer a unique critique of both Western colonial practices and the Iranian elites who, in his view, sought to emulate them at the expense of indigenous traditions and values. As a result, his work became a foundational part of the intellectual underpinnings of the Iranian Revolution of 1979, even though he passed away well before its success.
