Tabatabai studied theology, law and philosophy in his hometown of Tabriz and in Tehran before earning a PhD in political philosophy from the University of Paris, also known as Sorbonne, in 1984.
After returning to Iran, Tabatabai served for a period as a professor of law and political science at the University of Tehran while also leading the philosophy department of the Center for Islamic Encyclopedia.
He later continued his researches in countries like France, England, Germany and the United States.
On 14 July 1995 he was bestowed with France’s Ordre des Palmes Académiques for his valuable service to universities, education and science.
Tabatabai has published some 20 books on the history of political ideas in Europe and Iran.
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