Social Values in the Qajar Era: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

Social values are created and perpetuated within the social life context of community members and therefore, studying them helps in gaining a deeper understanding of society. Accordingly, this research aims to explore and comprehend the social values during the Qajar era. Utilizing a qualitative methodology based on a phenomenological approach, structured interviews were conducted with 15 sociologists, historians, and historical sociologists. The interviewees were selected through purposive sampling and snowball sampling methods. The collected findings were analyzed using the Colaizzi (1973) method and the Glaser and Strauss (1967) theoretical coding technique. The findings of this study are organized into two themes: "Pre-modern Qajar Social Values" with ten categories including "Chivalry/Generosity," "Belief in Divine Destiny," "Nobility and Freedom," "Spatial/Social/Ethnic/Religious Segregation," "Luxury and Attention to Appearances," "Purity and Modesty in Women," "Hospitality and Observance of Decorum and Respect," "Kinship and Helping Others," "Religiosity and Performance of Religious Rituals," and "Justice-oriented and Fairness"; and "Modern Qajar Social Values" with six categories "Patriotism," "Nobility and Freedom-seeking," "Advancement in Technology, Economics, Social, etc.," "Growth in Thought and Enlightenment," "Emphasis on Science and Education," and "Justice-oriented and Fairness." The analysis of the data extracted from the interviews indicates that the Qajar era represents a period of transition and fundamental transformation in the cultural fabric of society.