Lesson 1 - What is General Philosophy and Combined Philosophy?

About this Video

• Video Title: Lesson 1 - What is General Philosophy and Combined Philosophy?
• Channel: Al Haadi School
• Speakers: (Speaker name not explicitly mentioned in the transcript)
• Duration: 01:13:37

Introduction

This video is the first lesson in a module on holistic teaching philosophy for Muslim educators. The instructor aims to equip teachers with the ability to write a comprehensive teaching philosophy statement by exploring the concepts of general and combined philosophy and their application to education. The focus is on understanding the "why" behind teaching practices, rather than just the "what."

Key Takeaways

• General Philosophy (Falsafa): A rational inquiry into universal truths about existence, focusing on concepts like existence (wujud), essence (mahiyya), and the nature of God. It's a purely rational, not religious, pursuit of knowledge. Different schools of thought exist within Islamic general philosophy (e.g., Mashsha'i, Isfahani, and Ash'ari).
• Combined Philosophy (Falsafa-ye-ma'a): An intellectual inquiry into universal truths about a specific discipline, viewed from an external perspective. This is applied to various fields like pedagogy, Hadith studies, or science. It delves into the underlying assumptions and principles of a field, explaining the "why" behind its practices.
• Philosophy of Teaching: An examination of the beliefs and assumptions that influence teaching decisions. It involves self-reflection on one's teaching practices, including pedagogy, materials, classroom management, and assessment, connecting personal beliefs to these choices.
• Teaching Philosophy Statement: A professional document that summarizes a teacher's beliefs and rationale for their teaching methods. It facilitates self-reflection, professional growth, and allows for constructive feedback from peers. The creation of the statement is a journey of self-improvement and refinement.
• Universal vs. Particular Truths: The video distinguishes between universal truths derived from rational inquiry (applicable without exception) and particular/exceptional truths derived from religious texts or empirical observation (open to exceptions). A teaching philosophy statement should strive for universal truths in its reasoning.