WEEK 1 & WEEK 2 : PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
What is Philosophy?
- Greek words, ‘Philos’ means love and ‘Sophia’ means wisdom
- Study of fundamental questions about existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind,
and language
- Helps to understand and analyze the principles of our thoughts, actions, and beliefs
- Love for knowledge and passion for learning
Branches of Philosophy
1. Metaphysics
- The study of the nature of reality : What is existence? What is the nature of time?
2. Epistemology
- The study of knowledge and belief : What is knowledge? How do we know what we
know?
3. Ethics
- The study of morality and values : What is the right thing to do? How should we treat
others?
4. Logic
- The study of reasoning and argument : What constitutes a valid argument? How do
we persuade others?
5. Aesthetics
- The study of beauty and art : What is beauty? Is beauty subjective or are there
universal standards of beauty?
6. Political Philosophy
- The study of government, justice and the rights and obligations of individuals : What
is the best form of government? What is the role of government in ensuring equality
and justice?
Importance of Philosophy
- Get deeper understanding of ourselves and the world around us
- Encourages open-mindedness, logical thinking and ability to reason through complex
issues
- Develop skills that are valuable in many areas of life like problem-solving,
communication, ethical decision-making
- Gain insights into fundamental issues
- Improve our ability to think critically
What is Education?
- From Latin words: ‘Educare’ means to nourish, to bring up, to raise | ‘Educere’
means ‘to bring forth’, ‘to draw out’, ‘to lead out’ | ‘Educatum’ means the act of
teaching and training
- The process of acquiring knowledge, skills, values, beliefs, and habits
Forms of Education
1. Formal Education : structured and institutionalized learning provided in schools,
college, universities. Follows a curriculum.
2. Informal Education : self-study, life experiences, interactions with others
3. Non-formal Education : organized educational activities to focus on practical skills
and personal development
Importance of Education
- To provide opportunities for personal growth and career advancement
- Promotes analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities
- Fosters understanding, tolerance, cooperation among individuals from diverse
background
PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION
- The beliefs, values and principles that educational practices and policies
- Examines the fundamental questions about the nature, aims and methods of
education with the aim to clarify and the goals and purposes of the educational
process
Falsafah Pendidikan Malaysia / Malaysian Philosophy of Education
- Pendidikan di Malaysia adalah suatu usaha berterusan ke arah lebih
memperkembangkan potensi individu secara menyeluruh dan bersepadu untuk
mewujudkan insan yang seimbang dan harmonis dari segi intelek, rohani, emosi dan
jasmani, berdasarkan kepercayaan dan kepatuhan kepada Tuhan. Usaha ini adalah
bagi melahirkan warganegara Malaysia yang berilmu pengetahuan, berketerampilan,
berakhlak mulia, bertanggungjawab dan berkeupayaan mencapai kesejahteraan diri,
serta memberi sumbangan terhadap keharmonian dan kemakmuran keluarga,
masyarakat dan negara.
- Education in Malaysia is a continuous effort towards further developing the potential
of individuals in a comprehensive and integrated manner to create balanced and
harmonious individuals in terms of intellect, spirit, emotions, and physicality, based on
belief and obedience to God. This effort aims to produce Malaysian citizens who are
knowledgeable, skilled, of noble character, responsible, and capable of achieving
personal well-being, as well as contributing to the harmony and prosperity of their
families, society, and the nation.
Philosophy’s Influence on Education
1. Defining Educational Goals
- Provides a vision of what education should achieve in terms of personal
development, societal progress, the acquisition of knowledge and skills
2. Shaping Curriculum
- Can help to determine the content and the structure of the curriculum. Diff philosophy
perspectives suggest diff subject matters and methods of instruction
- Ex : a constructivist philosophy will support a curriculum that encourages hands-on
learning and student-led inquiry
3. Addressing Ethical Issues
- It provides a framework addressing ethical questions in education like issues of
equity, justice, moral development of students
- Ex : a philosophy focused on social justice will advocate for inclusive education and
olicies that address inequalities
Education’s Influence on Philosophy
1. Testing Philosophical Theories
- Serves as a testing ground for philosophical theories. The implementation of them in
education can reveal the strengths and weaknesses
- Ex : the application of Piaget educational methods can provide insights into the
effectiveness of these philosophical approaches
2. Evolving Philosophical Thought
- The experiences and challenges faced in edu settings can lead to the evolution and
refinement of philosophical ideas
- Ex : the shift towards digital learning and technology has influenced contemporary
edu philosophies, incorporating new ideas about virtual learning environments
Experts’ Views on the Interdependence of Philosophy and Education
1. John Dewey
- He emphasized the close relationship between education and philosophy and he
believed that education should be rooted in philosophy principles as it provides the
vision needed to guide educational practice.
- He advocates for experiential learning and critical thinking skills
2. Nel Noddings
- She argues that education should focus on caring relationships and the development
of empathy and moral values
INDUCTIVE REASONING VS DEDUCTIVE REASONING
INDUCTIVE ASPECT DEDUCTIVE
Making generalization based MEANING Making conclusions from
on specific observations general principles
Conclusions are probable CHARACTERISTICS If the premise is true, the
but not certain, relies on conclusion must be true.
empirical evidence Follows a logical structure
O : every swan ive seen so EXAMPLES O1 : all humans are mortal
far is white O2 : socrates is a human
G : all swans are white C : socrates is mortal
TOOLS FOR PHILOSOPHY
LOGIC ARGUMENTATION
SPECULATION SOCRATIC METHOD
THOUGHT EXPERIMENTS
MAJOR EDUCATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES
AIMS R.O.T CURRICULUM EXAMPLE
PERENNIALISM - cultivate - act as a - focus on - teacher assigns
intellectual and knowledgeable classic lit, philo, readings from
moral virtues thru guide & mentor hist, sciences Aristotle’s on the
exposure of lit and - lead - emphasis on soul and leads a
philo discussions on reading, class discussion
- prepare students classic texts and analysing great on the nature of
for lifelong learning philo ideas works virtue and good
and intellectual life
growth
ESSENTIALISM - provide students - serve as a - emphasis on - teacher follows a
with essential source of reading, writing, strict curriculum
knowledge and knowledge math, science, guide ensuring
skills for success - maintain a social studies they master basic
in society structured and - focus on math skills thru
- emphasize disciplined foundational drills and practice
academic rigor and classroom env knowledge and
discipline skills
RECONSTRUCTIVISM - address social - advocate for - include topics - teacher give
issue & promote social justice on social justice, assignment on a
social justice - incorporates equity, current research and
- encourage critical community events develop solutions
thinking & service and about local envtal
participation in activism issue like pollution
societal change
PROGRESSIVISM - promotes active, - act as a faci, - focus on - teacher organize
experiential supporting hands-on a science project
learning student-led project, where students
- encourage learning - flexible and design n build
problem-solving n - encourage adaptable to their own
collaboration inquiry, student interests experiments to
exploration, and needs learn abt d
experimentation principles
EXISTENTIALISM - promote - support - personal and - let students
individual freedom, students’ self expression choose their own
choice choices projects topic for a
-encourage - let students research project
self-discovery and explore their and support them
personal meaning own interests
and passions
BEHAVIORISM - to understand, - act as - clear objectives - teachers use a
predict, control controllers of the and step-by-step token system
behavior by learning env, instructions where students
identifying the using - focus on earn tokens for
factors that caused reinforcement/ specific, positive
it Punishment to measurable behaviors. And
shape behaviors outcomes like vice versa.
mastery of
particular skills
and behavior
IDEALISM - develop students - guide students - emphasis on lit, - teacher do a
intellectual & moral for moral philo, hist, arts class discussion
qualities development - use discussion- on Plato’s work,
- foster - encourage based learning and encourage
understanding of critical thinking & students to think
universal truth & self-reflection about justice,
ideas morality & ideal
society
NATURALISM - promote learning - act as a faci & - physical - teacher takes
thru natural env & guide in the activities, student on a
interactions w learning process experiential nature walk to
nature - create a learning study abt plants
- encourage learning env - integration of and animals
curiosity & involving natural outdoor activity
exploration discovery and real life
application
REALISM - teach students - act as an - emphasis on - teacher uses
abt the real world expert and guide science, math experiments and
through empirical in the acquisition and factual demonstration to
observation & of factual studies teach principles of
factual knowledge knowledge - use of physics such as
- develop logical - encourage empirical gravity and
and scientific observation, evidence and motion
thinking experimentation, logical reasoning
critical analysis
HISTORICAL FOUNDATIONS OF EDUCATION
PERIOD THEORIES AIMS R.O.T METHODS EXAMPLES
Ancient Egypt - Practical skills Instructor mathematics Training
for scribes and
administration priests
& religion
Ancient China Confucius Moral Role model Classics, Confucian
(551-479 education, ethics academics
BCE) social
harmony
Ancient India Vedic period Religious guru Memorization Forest
education of hymns hermitage
Ancient Greece Socrates, Intellectual Guide and Logic, Socratic
Plato, and moral philosopher philosophy method,
Aristotle development and arts plato’s
academy
Roman Era - Practical skills educator Grammar, Roman
for life rhetoric, law schools
Medieval Period Thomas Classical and clergy Latin, Monastic
Aquinas theological theology, schools,
education philosophy universities
Renaissannce Erasmus Human humanist Classical Humanist
Potential, texts, liberal academies
critical thinking education
Enlightenment John Locke, Rational Guide and Experiential Locke’s
Jean-Jacques thought, facilitator learning, moral “Tabula Rasa”,
Rousseau holistic education Pestalozzi’s
development schools
19th-20th John Dewey, Creativity, Facilitator Kindergarten Froebel’s
Century Maria democracy, and mentor system, Kindergartens,
Montessori child-centered self-directed Montessori
education activity schools
Constructivism Jean Piaget, Knowledge Facilitator Cognitive Piaget’s
Lev Vygotsky construction, development stages of
social stages, zone cognitive
interaction of proximal development,
development Vygotsky’s
ZPD
Behaviorism B.F Skinner Behavior Reinforcer Positive/ Token systems
modification and negative in classrooms,
observer reinforcement, behaviorist
behavior learning
shaping programs
Cognitive Jerome Mental Guide and Scaffolding, Bruner’s
Psychology Bruner processes, scaffold discovery educational
active learning learning theories
WEEK 3 : BASIC CONCEPTS IN ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
1. CONCEPT OF GOD
- Allah is the personal name of one true god, nothing else can be called Allah
- No plural nor gender thus shows its uniqueness
- To a muslim, Allah is the Almighty Creator and Sustainer of the universe and nothing
is compatible to Him
- Monotheism (Tauhid) : oneness of god
Attributes of God (99 Nama Allah)
1. Al-Wahid (The One): God is unique and has no partners
2. Al-Ahad (The Singular): God is one in essence and attributes
3. Al-Rahman (The Most Merciful): God is infinitely merciful
4. Al-Rahim (The Most Compassionate): God’s compassion is boundless
God’s Transcendence and Immanence
- Transcendence : God is above and beyond the physical universe and is not subject
to its limitations
- Immanence : God is close to his creation and involved in the world
Creation and Sustenance
- Muslims believe that God is the creator of everything in the universe. This belief
emphasizes that nothing can exist or function without Allah’s will and power
Worship and Obedience
- Muslims are required to follow god’s commands as outlined in the Quran and the
teachings of the Prophet Muhammad SAW
- Ex : solat, fasting in the month of ramdhan, zakat, go haji if able
Mercy and Forgiveness
- It is emphasized in the Quran that Allah SWT is always ready to forgive those who
sincerely repent for their sins and seek for his forgiveness
PROOF EXISTENCE OF ALLAH
1. Scriptural Evidence
- Al-Quran is considered the direct word of Allah revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
- Linguistic Miracle : The Quran’s Arabic language is unparalleled
- Scientific Knowledge : The Quran mentions specific facts that were discovered
centuries later, such as the development of the human embryo
2. Rational Arguments
- Cosmological Argument : Everything that begins to exist has a cause. The cause
must be powerful and outside of time and space
- Ex : a building has an architect, similarly to the universe, must have a creator (Allah)
- Design Argument : the complexity and order in the universe suggest a designer
- Ex : the human eye is extremely complex and well-designed for its function, unlikely
to have arisen by chance
3. Fitrah (Innate Disposition)
- Natural Belief : every muslim is born with an innate belief in God known as Fitrah, it
inclines people to believe in a higher power and seek purpose
4. Perceptual Evidence
- They find evidence of Allah through personal spiritual experiences, prayers being
answered, sense of inner peace when worshipping God
2. CONCEPT OF PROPHETHOOD
- The belief that Allah has chosen certain individuals throughout history to convey his
messages to humanity
- Prophets are human beings chosen by Allah to receive and convey his guidance to
people
- Prophets are humans, not divine beings, they experience human emotions and
challenges
- Prophets are protected from major sins and errors in conveying god’s messages
- Prophets exemplify the ideal way to live, demonstrating piety, patience and
compassion
- Ex of Notable Prophets : Adam, Nuh, Ibrahim, Musa, Isa, Muhammad
Examples of Prophetic Teachings
1. Monotheism (Tauhid) : every prophet emphasized the worship of god
2. Moral Conduct : prophets taught ethical behavior
3. Justice : prophets advocated for justice
4. Patience and Perseverance : prophet showed resilience in the face of adveristy
3. THE CONCEPT OF HUMAN NATURE
- All creations in the heaven and earth, only man stands on the highest pinnacle to be
called as the best creation of Allah the Almighty
- The Fitrah in human inclines them toward goodness and worship of God
- Although individuals possess free will to choose their actions, they are guided by
prophets and scriptures from the Quran to understand and fulfill their fitrah
Spiritual Dimension of Man in Islam
1. Ruh (Spirit or Soul)
- The spiritual essence or soul that god has breathed into every human being
- It connects humans to their creator and gives them a sense of spiritual awareness
and consciousness
2. Al-Qalb (Heart)
- The center of spiritual insight, consciousness and sincerity
- Reflects one’s true intentions, beliefs, devotion to god
3. Aql (Intellect)
- The intellect or rational faculty bestowed upon humans by god that enables critical
thinking, reasoning, understanding of religious teachings
- Helps them to differentiate the rights and wrongs
4. Nafs (Self or Ego)
- Encompasses human desires, impulses, inclinations
- Can be categorized into different levels : Nafs Ammarah, Nafs Lawwama, Nafs
Mutmainnah
WEEK 4 : CONCEPT OF KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge in the Western world means information about something, divine or
corporeal, while 'ilm is an all-embracing term covering theory, action and education
- Highly valued and regarded as a means to understand Allah’s creation and live a life
accordance with His will
Importance of Knowledge in Islam
1. Religious Duty because seeking knowledge is an obligation for every Muslim
2. Path to Paradise because knowledge is seen as a path to spiritual and moral
development
Elements of Knowledge in Islam
1. Niyyah (Intention) : Knowledge should be sought with the right intention, primarily to
please God and benefit others
2. ‘Amal (Practice) : knowledge must be put into practice. Not just about acquiring
information but also applying it to improve oneself and society
3. Tawadu’ (Humility) : a true seeker of knowledge remains humble and recognizes
that ultimate knowledge belongs to god
Classification of Knowledge
1. Religious Knowledge (‘Ilm al-Din)
- Knowledge about Allah, the Quran, Hadith, Fiqh, other religious sciences
- Ex : Learning how to solat correctly
2. Worldly Knowledge (‘Ilm al-Dunya)
- Knowledge in fields such as medicine, engineering, astronomy and other sciences
that help to improve the world
- Ex : studying medicine to treat illnesses and save lives
Types of Knowledge
1. Fardhu Ain (Obligatory Knowledge) : knowledge that every muslim must acquire
such as the basics of faith, how to pray, moral conduct
2. Fardhu Kifayah (Collective Obligation) : knowledge that should be at least
acquired by some of the muslim community such as medical knowledge, ICT etc
Sources of Knowledge
1. Revelation (Wahyu)
- Al-Quran & As-Sunnah (traditions of the Prophet Muhammad)
2. Observation and Experience
- Gaining knowledge through observing the world
3. Consensus (Ijma’)
- Agreement among scholars on certain issues particularly in religious matters
5. CONCEPT OF EDUCATION
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE ASPECT ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
To develop critical thinking, PURPOSE To seek knowledge for understanding
individual skills, personal success god’s creation, fulfil religious
obligation, benefit society
Primarily secular, focus on empirical, NATURE OF Integrates both religious and secular
scientific knowledge KNOWLEDGE knowledge but more on spiritual
growth and moral development
Seperated from education, religion is ROLE OF Central to education, knowledge of
considered a personal or private RELIGION religion is essential & intertwined with
matter all aspects of learning
Broad and diverse, covering SCOPE OF Mixture of religious sciences (fiqh,
humanities, sciences, arts etc EDUCATION hadith, tafsir) and worldly sciences
(medicine, astronomy)
Personal success, career GOALS Spiritual growth, pleasing Allah,
development and contribution to achieving success in dunya and
society hereafter
6. CONCEPT OF TEACHER-EDUCATION
WESTERN PERSPECTIVE ASPECT ISLAMIC PERSPECTIVE
Focuses on educational theories CURRICULUM Combines traditional islamic
(psychology), teaching methods, CONTENT scholarship with modern edu
subject-specific method (maths, techniques and emphasize
science etc) both
Professional ethics, primarily ETHICAL & Strong emphasis on islamic
centered on secular ethical MORAL TRAINING ethics and morality, ensuring
standards teachers embody islamic
values
To equip students with the skills GOALS To develop well-rounded
and knowledge for personal individuals who are
success, career readiness, societal knowledgeable, morally and
contribution spiritually aware and
prepared for both in life and in
hereafter
WEEK 5 : HIERARCHY OF TEACHER-LEADER IN ISLAM
1. Mudarris (Teacher)
- A teacher who imparts knowledge and education to students, applies to anyone who
teaches, whether in formal educational settings or informal religious studies
- Roles : Provides instruction in various subjects, including Quranic studies, Fiqh,
Hadith. Emphasize moral values and help students develop a deeper understanding
of islamic beliefs.
- Ex : A Quran teacher who teaches children how to recite and understand the Quran
2. Muallim (Instructor)
- An instructor who not only teaches but also guides and mentors students in practical
and theoretical knowledge
- Roles : provides comprehensive education in a specific field, acts as a mentor,
advising students on academic and personal matters and demonstrates exemplary
behavior and adherence to Islamic values
- Ex : A university lecturer teaching Islamic theology and philosophy to undergraduate
students.
3. Muaddib (Ethical Educator)
- Educator focused on the moral and ethical upbringing of students, teaching adab and
character development according to islamic teachings
- Roles : serving as a role model
- Ex : a muaddib might teach students the proper etiquette of greeting, respecting
elders, and behaving in social settings
4. Murshid (Spiritual Guide)
- A mentor who leads individuals on their spiritual journey, offering guidance and
wisdom
- Roles : providing spiritual counselling, guiding individuals in their religious practice
- Ex : a murshid may guide individuals in sufi practices and help them attain a deeper
connection with god
5. Murabbi (Nurturer)
- A nurturer who takes a holistic approach on intellectual, spiritual, emotional support
and physical development
- Roles : teaching, mentoring, providing emotional support and nurturing overall growth
- Ex : a murabbi might mentor students over a long period, fostering their development
in all areas of life, including academics, faith, personal growth
6. Mujaddid
- A reformer who seeks to revive and renew the faith, addressing contemporary issues
and challenges within the islamic community
- Roles : promoting authentic islamic teachings and guiding the community through
change
- Ex : a mujaddid may write scholarly works addressing modern issues like ethics in
technology or islamic finance
7. Mujtahid (Independent Scholar)
- Has the authority to perform ijtihad, which involves making independent legal
judgements based on the Quran, hadith, Ijma’, Qiyas.
- A mujtahid must have extensive knowledge of islamic jurisprudence, the quran, the
hadith and arabic as well as strong analytical skills for systhesizing information from
various sources
- Roles : making informed legal decisions on new and complex ideas, interpreting
islamic texts to provide clarity and guidance, educating future scholars in ijtihad
- This is to ensure islamic law remains relevant and adaptable to changing
circumstances and provide guidance to the Muslim community
THE ROLE OF CRITICAL THINKING IN ISLAM
Critical Thinking
- The process of actively and skillfully analyzing, evaluating and sysnthesizing
information
- The ability to analize, criticize and advocate ideasto make reason inductively and
deductively to reach factual judgment or conclusion
The Different Aspects of Understanding in Islam
1. Tafakkur (Contemplation)
- Deep contemplation and reflection on the signs of Allah in the universe, nature, and
one’s own life
- It helps in strengthening faith, increasing gratitude toward Allah
- Ex : reflecting on the complexity of the human body to recognize Allah’s greatness
2. Tadabbur (Pondering over the Quran)
- Deep and thoughtful contemplation of the Quran, it involves studying the verses of
the Quran to understand their meanings, implications and the wisdom behind them
- Aims to apply its teachings in daily life and develop a deeper connection with Allah’s
message
- Ex : contemplating the stories of the prophets in the Quran to draw moral and spiritual
lessons applicable to one’s own life
3. Tafaqquh (Deep Understanding)
- Deep and thorough understanding about matters of religious and fiqh
- Essential for deriving rulings and educating others
- Ex : a scholar studying the intricacies of shariah to provide legal opinions (Fatwa) and
guidance to the community
4. Ta’akul (Rational Thinking)
- Using Aql to understand and analyze various aspects of life including religious and
worldly matters
- Helps in making rational decisions and solving problems
- Ex : using reason to understand why we have to fast every year