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Applying Philosophical Inquiry Method to Cultivate Reasonable Religious Understanding and Prevent Extremism

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Cultivating Reasonableness in Education

Part of the book series: Integrated Science ((IS,volume 17))

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Abstract

The leaders of many extremist groups use religious scripture to justify radical understandings of a religion’s teachings and behaviors. The Community of Philosophical Inquiry (COPI) method, through dialogic pedagogy, aims at the cultivation of reasonable judgment. As reasonable judgment is often contrary to extremist positions, COPI is an excellent method for helping Muslims ponder on elements of their faith, develop reasonable understanding, and limit the prevalence of religious extremism. This is especially true if Quranic verses are used as stimulus material for the philosophical inquiries and students begin by reading the literal translation of the verses in their own language from the Arabic language. Students are then encouraged to ask philosophical questions that the Quranic verses bring to mind. Through an inquiry into one of the questions, students are hopefully exposed to multiple perspectives about the meaning of these verses for both their faith and lived experience. The aim is then for students to be guided to accept the most reasonable understanding, that is, the kind of understanding which enriches the lives of the participants. This chapter elucidates how to use COPI in Islamic Studies for students of primary and secondary schools. Sample lesson plans with stimulus materials, which are the selected Quranic verses, discussion plans, and accompanying class activities are provided to clearly describe how COPI sessions can be conducted.

Graphic Abstract

An illustration has 3 concentric rings. Quran verses, community of philosophical inquiry, and extremism curbed, appear from the outermost to the innermost ring in order.

Community of philosophical inquiry and the Quranic verses for extremism prevention

Intellectual reasoning is a religious obligation. Since intellectual reasoning is a method of philosophy, the study of philosophy is also a religious obligation. Ignorance leads to fear, fear leads to hate and hate leads to violence. This is the equation. [Ibn Rushd 1126–1198 C.E.]

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. AHAS Kulliyyah of Islamic Revealed Knowledge and Human Sciences, International Islamic University Malaysia, 53100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Wan Mazwati Wan Yusoff & Nadzrah Ahmad

Authors
  1. Wan Mazwati Wan Yusoff
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  2. Nadzrah Ahmad
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Wan Mazwati Wan Yusoff .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

    Marella Ada V. Mancenido-Bolaños

  2. University of Santo Tomas, Manila, Philippines

    Cathlyne Joy P. Alvarez-Abarejo

  3. University of the Philippines Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

    Leander Penaso Marquez

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Wan Yusoff, W.M., Ahmad, N. (2023). Applying Philosophical Inquiry Method to Cultivate Reasonable Religious Understanding and Prevent Extremism. In: Mancenido-Bolaños, M.A.V., Alvarez-Abarejo, C.J.P., Marquez, L.P. (eds) Cultivating Reasonableness in Education. Integrated Science, vol 17. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4198-8_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-99-4198-8_12

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  • Print ISBN: 978-981-99-4197-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-981-99-4198-8

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