Ethical Contract with Nature: Islamic Philosophical Reading in Confrontation with Western Social Contract - Dr. Lina Hamidoush

The research aims at clarifying the position of social contract philosophers on nature, starting from the concept of private property and the resulting social and political inequality in modern Western society. In this context, the research discusses the social contract theory, which examines the transition of humanity from a state of nature to a social and political state, and how proponents of this theory justified the political inequality that, in turn, led to economic class inequality, and the role of nature in reinforcing this inequality. It also addresses the concept of economic utility, treating nature and the environment merely as material resources contributing to wealth accumulation and creating relationships of exploitation and conflict due to the absence of a moral framework in dealing with the environment and nature. The researcher also aims at clarifying the differences between Islamic philosophy, through its major sources, and Western philosophy, particularly regarding spiritual matters that, in Islam, make the environment and nature a matter of faith and moral responsibility.