Abstract:

Epistêmê (ἐπιστήμη), the ancient Greek term for ‘knowledge’ is a central recurring philosophical topic that cuts across all religio-philosophical traditions. One would be surprised why then, research into the different epistemologies across worldviews are little emphasised in a globalised world. In particular, there is a general neglect in exploring epistemology as understood by Muslim Philosophers vis-à-vis the West. This seminar aims in some small way, to address the dearth in such discussions by presenting a brief comparative analysis of the epistemologies of Islamic and Western Thought. Towards this aim, the seminar will outline the conceptions of Knowledge and its characteristics in both the Islamic and Western philosophy. In what way(s) do they differ in terms of the nature and characteristics of Knowledge? In what way(s) similar? How would one square between a religious based philosophy and a secularised one in terms of relating knowledge with truth, certainty and even faith? These and other pertinent questions would be discussed in this seminar.

Key words: Epistemology, Nature of Knowledge Islamic Philosophy, Western Philosophy, Comparative Philosophy

Biography:

Ustaz Dr. Abdul Halim Abdul Karim is the first ever to be conferred the PhD in Islamic Governance at the Institute of Policy Studies, University Brunei Darussalam. His PhD thesis is entitled The Knowledge Based Economy in an Islamic System of Governance: The Khaldūnian Perspective. Abdul Halim has a very multidisciplinary background that encapsulates the Hard Sciences, the Commerce as well as the Arts/Humanities and Social Sciences. He holds a B.A. (Hons – 2nd Upper) in Philosophy from the National University of Singapore (NUS) majoring also in English Language. His honours thesis entitled, Averroes: On Reason and Revelation is the first thesis on a Muslim philosopher done at NUS where he went on to obtain an M.A in Comparative Philosophy. His Master’s thesis is a comparative analysis of Islamic and Chinese Theories of Knowledge, Ethics, Ontologies and Mysticism focusing on Ibn Arabi and Chuang Tzu. Entitled, Sufism and Taoism: The Absolute and Its Attainment, it is the first dissertation done at NUS which compares Islam with Chinese Thought. He also holds an LCCI (Accounting), a Diploma in Computer Science and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Education. He is also a Certified Knowledge Manager. He has presented in numerous workshops and international conferences and written numerous articles and papers in English and Malay. His writings cover wide ranging subjects such as Comparative Philosophy, Civilisational Dialogue, Education, Islamic Economics, Critical Thinking, Linguistics, Globalisation, Ibn Khaldūn, Knowledge Management, Bio-Ethics, e-Learning and on China’s OBOR. He has also taught subjects such as Islamic Worldview, Islamic Civilisation, Islamic Economics, Islamic Psychology and Islamic Philosophy of Education at several institutes of learning including a Madrasah established by the Singapore Islamic Scholar’s Association (PERGAS).