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Религия для «Великой цивилизации»: влияние традиционализма на риторику Мохаммеда Резы Пехлеви в 60–70-х годах XX в.
This article examines the impact of traditionalist teachings on the rhetoric and ideology of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the last Shah of Iran (1941-1979), during the 1960s and 1970s. Contrary to the belief that the Iranian monarchy was rooted in secular nationalism, the study highlights a crucial transformation in the late Pahlavi era, termed the “Quiet Revolution.” This ideological shift emphasized the significance of religious narratives influenced by traditionalist thought.
Based on the analysis of primary sources, this article predominantly focuses on Henri Corbin, a prominent French scholar in Islamic studies, and his Iranian disciple, Seyyed Hossein Nasr. Their concepts of “perennial wisdom” and “prophetic philosophy,” along with the notions of the spiritual crisis in the West and mystical interpretations of Islam, profoundly influenced the Shah and his inner circle. The article illustrates how the Shah instrumentalized these traditionalist concepts to create an image of a divinely inspired monarch interpreting religious truths independently of the clergy. This vision formed an ideological underpinning of the “Great Civilization” project, embodying a remarkable blend of modernization and intrinsic Iranian spirituality. The project heralded a new era in which Iran, under the guidance of a messianic ruler, would join advanced nations while serving as a moral beacon on the global stage.