Conflict of Some of Sa’di’s Teachings with Moral Judgments and Their Consequentialist Explanation

Nasr Esfahani, Zahra; Zamani, Mehdi

doi:10.22054/ltr.2026.86497.4019

Conflict of Some of Sa’di’s Teachings with Moral Judgments and Their Consequentialist Explanation

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

zahra nasr esfahani ¹
mehdi zamani ²

¹ Persian Language and Literature, Faculty of Literature and Foreign Languages, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Philosophy, Payam Noor University, Tehran, Iran

10.22054/ltr.2026.86497.4019

Abstract

Although Sa’di is committed to moral virtues and duties in his ethical instructions, there are occasionally recommendations in his works that, at first glance, seem to conflict with moral or religious duties. A closer reflection shows that what appears to be a violation of moral norms is, in reality, a case of conflict between two moral judgments, in which Sa’di prefers the one with the greater benefits or the lesser harm. Sa’di fundamentally emphasizes outcomes and consequences when interpreting moral teachings and specifying the conditions for moral obligations. Therefore, among normative ethical theories, his view is predominantly consequentialist. This paper, employing a descriptive-analytic method, explains Sa’di’s view on the conditions for moral obligations and his consequentialist solution in cases where moral judgments conflict. The result is that his view prefers the action which brings the greatest benefit to the greatest number or the least harm to the fewest. In this regard, Sa’di’s view is broadly closer to universal consequentialism (utilitarianism or collective welfare), although in some cases his recommendations may align with altruism. At times, Sa’di’s view may reflect egoism or consideration for the individual's own interest, making its interpretation as universal or altruistic difficult; however, in all or most cases, his recommendations are not absolute but context-dependent, taking into account moral duties related to preserving life, health, or well-being, and should not be considered immoral.

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