ASSIGNMENT: MODERN

PHILOSOPHICAL SYSTEMS (UNIT: 2)

DEPARTMENT: EDUCATION

NAME: ALIA MUNAWAR

CLASS: B.A. 2nd YEAR (H1 959005)

MAJOR DEPARTMENT: ENGLISH

DATE OF SUBMISSION: May 20 th 2021

SUBMITTED TO: MISS AYESHA RAHAT

INTRODUCTION

DEMOCRACY AND EDUCATION

DEMOCRACY:
 Definition:
Democracy can be defined as the control of an organization or
group by the majority of its members.

 Origin:
Etymologically, the term "Democracy" consists of two Greek
words, i.e. "Demos" meaning 'the people' and "Kratos" meaning
'power'. The literal meaning of the word "Democracy" is "Power of
the people". According to Aristotle, democracy is a "government
by many".

 Concept:
The modern concept of Democracy was given by Abraham
Lincoln. It implies that ruling power rests with the people without
distinction of caste, creed, color or sex. It is used not only for a
specific form of social and political control but also, more
generally, to denote a certain way of life.
Democracy is an order in which all individuals receive limitless
opportunities to blossom according to their potentialities and in
which power and responsibilities are shared on a mutual basis
without any conflict.
DEMOCRACY IN EDUCATION OR DEMOCRATIC EDUCATION
Democracy has certain prerequisites. Foremost among these is
education, as only an educated mind has the intellect required to
grasp concepts such as liberty, equality, justice, law, rights and
responsibilities of the state and its people.
Democratic education is an educational ideal in which democracy
is both a goal and a method of instruction. It brings democratic
values to education and can include self-determination within a
community of equals, as well as such values as justice, respect
and trust.
John Dewey says, “The devotion of democracy to education is
a familiar fact. A government resting upon popular suffrage
cannot be successful unless those who govern and obey
their governors are educated”.
Radhakrishnan commission (1948-49) said, “Education is the
great instrument of social emancipation, by which
democracy establishes, maintains and protects the spirit of
equality among its members”.

 Principles:
The principles of democracy like liberty, equality, fraternity, dignity
of the individual, co-operation, sharing responsibility etc. are the
dimensions which deeply influence education. On the other hand,
education at various stages and dimensions intrinsically motivates
a democratic way of life. Democratic values or principles are
applied to education to make it more effective, meaningful,
relevant and useful. Some of the democratic principles applied to
education are as follows:
 1) Freedom: Curbing of freedom might bring visible order but it
doesn’t necessarily result in good discipline. Students should
be given adequate academic freedom and made free from
the external influence that prevents them from seeing and
speaking the truth. They must also develop courage,
competence and the ability to seek truth by the help of
education, because only then can freedom take the form of
self-discipline which is essential for democratic living. It
should also encourage them to perform their duties and fulfill
their responsibilities sincerely. Furthermore, Discipline in an
educational institution is closely related to the behavior of
teachers and pupils, their motives and their understanding of
each other.
Pestalozzi, one of the early educationists states, "Education
through freedom is emphasized in a democracy and the child is to
be educated in an atmosphere of freedom. Democratic principles
of liberty, equality, responsibility, justice and cooperation should
find full realization in education to make it effective and
meaningful".
2) Equality: All human beings are born with a special set of
skills. Their experiences that they grow and develop with are
different from one another. Hence emphasis is laid on
quantitative equality of education irrespective of caste,
creed, color, social status or financial condition of
individuals. The Education Commission, 1964-66, have
rightly observed, "One of the important social objectives of
education is to equalize opportunity enabling the backward
or under-privileged classes and individuals to use education
as a lever for the improvement of their condition. Every
 society that values social justice and is anxious to improve
the lot of the common man and cultivate available talent
must ensure progressive equality of opportunity to all
sections of the population."
3) Fraternity: Being an aspect of democracy, fraternity holds
fundamental significance. Students, teachers, parents and
even non-teaching staff should bond with love, sympathy,
understanding and fellow-feeling. In administration and
organization of projects as well as co-curricular activities,
this spirit of fraternity should prevail for ensuring cooperation
and rapport. This can also lead to success of education in
general and development of students' personality.
4) Justice: This element is synonymous to equalization of
educational opportunity, liberty and fraternity, thus acting
upon justice cements the establishments of the principles
above. Special measures need to be taken by educational
institutions to make up for the deficiencies and for removing
the economic, social and cultural barriers disabilities so that
injustice that has been persisting over centuries can be
eradicated and justice denied to the deprived can be
restored. In addition, use of unfair practices of any kind by
the teachers or by students should be dealt with, if justice is
to become useful to education.
5) Joint Responsibility: Education is a joint responsibility of all
concerned parties, I.e. students, teachers, parents,
supervisors and so on. Every group has to share
responsibility throughout the entire process of education in
their own way and according to their own capacity. In a
democracy, every member of society has some duties and
responsibilities. All points of view of each member have their
 relevance in education, and all individuals should make their
contributions for educational development.
6) Cooperation: Both democracy and education are a
cooperative enterprise and all the members of society are
active participants of it. Cooperation as a principle of
democracy has to be utilized in education in all its aspects -
starting from planning to execution, from teaching to
evaluation, from administration to supervision. Students
need to be trained through various programs and projects,
how to plan and work with others, how to promote team spirit
and how to acquire the skills required for group activities.
Thus, education will provide students with citizenship training
for which cooperation is a basic pre-requisite.

 Aims
The basic aims of education for democracy are development of:
i) A balanced and harmonious personality
The development of a well-integrated and harmonious
personality of an individual is essential in a democracy. The
Association for Education in Citizenship (I947), has
mentioned that each student should be given a full chance
to develop himself as an individual personality so that he
might be able to enjoy life through the exercise of his
capacities and should be alive to the realities and
possibilities of the world around him. He should know how
to play his part as an active member of his community. He
should be equipped adequately to contribute to society
through his occupation. He should also know how to be in
effective communication with his fellow-men by articulation
md creative activities
ii) Building of character (moral and ethical development)
Character building involves moral and ethical development
of individuals. This means inculcation of human values such
as honesty, sincerity, commitment and integrity. These are
essential qualities for members of a democracy, and
education has to develop these in individuals.
iii) Training for an efficient and productive existence in a
society or culture.
To be effective, a democratic citizen should have the
understanding and the intellectual integrity to sift truth from
falsehood, and must develop a scientific attitude to think
objectively and base his conclusions on tested grounds. He
should also have an open mind responsive to new ideas
and not confined within the prison walls of outmoded
customs, traditions and beliefs. The development of the
capacity for productive work is also an essential
requirement of education for democracy. Since the students
of today are the citizens of tomorrow, they need to be
trained in citizenship for an efficient and productive
existence in a democratic society or culture. This involves
making judgments on complicated personal, economic,
social and political issues and also contributing to society by
way of work.

 Significance of the democratization of education

 The entire education system - its aims, curriculum,
methodology, class management, school organization,
supervision etc. has to be democratized in order to make
democracy as well as education a success.
  The principles of democracy - liberty, equality, fraternity,
fellow-feeling, cooperation, sharing responsibility and so on
are to be introduced, practiced and transcended, so that
education will not only be democratic in form but also in
spirit.
 There might be unprecedented expansion of education at all
levels leading to greater numbers of people having access to
education, but the standards might not be up to the mark.
Such an expansi6n of education would not be of much use
to any democratic society.

CONCLUSION
Therefore, democracy can only function properly when all of its
citizens have been educated. Democracy in order to be a reality,
a way of life and a living style has to be introduced from the very
beginning of education and its values practiced in schools and
colleges.

ISLAMIC PHILOSOPHY OF EDUCATION

INTRODUCTION
The very first instruction that came in the form of a verse to Prophet
Muhammad (P.B.U.H) was:
“Read, in the name of thy Lord, and Cherisher, And thy Lord is
Most Bountiful. He, who taught the use of pen, taught man that
which he knew not.”
Acquisition of knowledge (‘ilm) is emphasized in Islam as an
important activity besides its dissemination. It has been made
compulsory (far) upon its adherents, regardless of gender, to
learn and disseminate knowledge. The obligation of seeking out
knowledge is binding upon every Muslim by the command of the
Qur’an and Sunnah of the Prophet (PBUH):
“Acquisition of knowledge is compulsory upon every Muslims.”
Following the instructions of Al-Qur’an, Prophet Muhammad (SM)
also directed to acquire knowledge with utmost sincerity. And
from these one can easily understand the place and importance
of education in Islam

 Definition:
Islamic philosophy of education stresses upon the kind of
education which trains the sensibility of an individual, in such a
manner that their attitude towards life, their actions, decisions and
approach to all kinds of knowledge are governed by the spiritual
and deeply felt ethical values of Islam.

 Concept of Knowledge:
 Knowledge in Islam is not merely important; it also occupies
a dominant position in its doctrine.
 Modern scholars, such as al-Attas have divided knowledge
into two major categories, religious and rational sciences
a. Religious sciences: These include,
i. The Qur’an and knowledge derived from it such as its recitation,
interpretation, tafsīr and ta’wīl.
ii. The Sunnah: the life of the holy Prophet, the history and
message of the Prophets before him, the hadīth and its
authoritative transmission.
iii. The Sharīah: jurisprudence and law, the principles and practice
of Islam.
iv. Theology: God, His essence, attributes and names and acts
(al-tawīd).
v. Islamic metaphysics (al-tasawwuf): psychology, cosmology and
ontology; legitimate element of Islamic philosophy including valid
cosmological doctrines pertaining to the hierarchy of being.
vi. Linguistic sciences: Arabic, its grammar, lexicography, and
literature.
b. Rational, intellectual, and philosophical sciences:
i. Human sciences
ii. Natural sciences
iii. Applied sciences
iv. Technological sciences

 Al-Ghazālī considered acquiring religious sciences is

obligatory for every Muslim because it is essential for the
discharge of an individual’s Islamic duties. He classified both
religious and technical sciences into obligatory (far ‘ayn-
obligation towards the Self) and meritorious (far kifāyah-
obligation towards Society). This classification has been for
many centuries the cornerstone of the Islamic theory of
curriculum development.
 According to Tibawi, the succinct personal objective of
traditional Islamic education, which is the attainment of
happiness in this world and the next, is more concrete and
more beneficial to individual citizens compared to the vague
 general goals of society formulated by modern national
governments.

 Concept of Education in Islam:

Education in Islam is not merely of acquiring intellectual
knowledge but it is a mean of molding the nature and character of
an individual so that they can collectively represent Islamic
values, behave as khalīfatullāh fī al-ar(vicegerent of Allah on the
earth) witness of true, nobility and human greatness.In another
word, education is “a process through which human beings are
trained and prepared in a concerted way to do their Creator’s
bidding in this life (dunyā) to be rewarded in the life after death
(ākhirah).”
The terminology of education from Islamic perspective is often
defined by Muslim scholars from three different dimensions which
are reflected in different concepts introduced, important among
them are;
o Tarbiyyah – the process of education that gives emphasis on
physical and intellectual development of an individual.
o Ta’dīb – the process of education that gives emphasis on
nurturing good human beings with knowledge of the faith
and the noble codes of conduct/ethics approved by Islam, so
that he may place himself and deal with others in society
with justice.
o Talīm – the process of education that is based on teaching
and learning.

 Significance:
 In Islam, acquiring knowledge has been made compulsory
for both men and women. Prophet Muhammad (SM) said,
“He who goes out to look for knowledge, remains in the path
of Allah until he returns”.
 As humans are made from the combination of two different
aspects, that is, spiritual and physical, they must acquire
such knowledge which will be beneficial for both the aspects.
That means they will have to acquire knowledge for the
betterment of the spiritual aspect of nature as well as the
physical aspect of nature which can be found in the Qur’an
and Sunnah. In this respect we may find indications from the
following verse:
“O Allah! Grant us in the good for world and in the good for
hereafter and protect us from the punishment of the fire.”
 . In order to develop man’s nature to its fullest extent and
fulfill his mission the acquisition of one attribute of God is
most essential and that attribute is knowledge. In Al-Qur’an
and Hadith much impotence has been given on the
acquisition of knowledge on the part of human beings.
 The enunciation of Islamic educational philosophy is
necessary for man’s success in the world and hereafter.
 Allah has asked human beings to study and acquire
knowledge and make a good use of pen, because without
these, man can never understand Allah and His creation
properly.

 Role of Islamic Philosophy of Education in Moral

Development
 It is clear that what makes Islamic education different
compared to others is that, education in Islam aims to
educate human beings with knowledge and positive skills,
and to instill in them good ethical conducts approved by the
Sharia. Muslim students have to be aware that the
acquisition of knowledge is “not merely to satisfy an
intellectual curiosity or just for material or worldly gains, but
to produce rational and righteous human beings, who are
able to meet the spiritual, moral and physical needs of their
families, their people and mankind.”

 One of the foremost aims as stipulated in the First

World Conference on Muslim Education held in
Jeddah-Mecca (1393A.H.-1977A.D.) is to produce a
good man. It aims at the “balanced growth of the total
personality of man through the training of man’s spirit,
intellect, the rational self, feelings and bodily senses.”

 Education in Islam is not merely of acquiring intellectual

knowledge but it is a mean of molding the nature and
character of individuals so that they can collectively
represent Islamic values, behave as khalīfatullāh fī al-
ar(vicegerent of Allāh on earth), to serve as witnesses to
truth and noble conducts. In Islam, “the concept of
knowledge enjoyed a central place in society unparalleled in
other civilizations.
 In a number of verses of Al-Qur’an Allah says not to mix up
truth with falsity and never hide truth knowing full well.
In the verses 16 to 19 of the Surah Lukman it is said that
beside establishing i.e. being regular in Salah one should do
and tell others to do good deeds, maintain patience in the
 time of difficulties, never do boasting, and should talk with a
low voice.
Furthermore, In Surah 17 Aayat 34, it is said that one should
fulfill the promise. In Qur’an people are instructed not to
waste and it is also said that Allah does not love those who
waste. Allah tells us not to be greedy, not to be miser neither
to be extravagant and that we should be grateful, to control
anger and practice forgiveness.

CONCLUSION
In the times of Ibn-sina, Al-Beruni, and other great Muslim
scientists of the past, Muslims were earnest seekers of hikmat i.e.
scientific knowledge along with practice of Islamic religion. Islamic
Philosophy of Education is a theory whose ultimate goal is to
produce intellectual, humble and morally good human beings,
who, though smaller in number, will be able to make use of these
elements to develop themselves as well as contribute towards the
development of the world, especially the Muslim Ummah.
REFRENCES:
 Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia
 Article on the Relationship between Democracy and
Education by Bhawna Bawa
 Book- Understanding Education, Unit 4: Democratic
Principles in Education
 Dawn Article: Democracy and Education
 Islamic Education: The Philosophy, Aim and Main Features
by Dr. Raudlotul Firdaus Binti Fatah Yasin
 Philosophy of Education an Islamic Perspective by Qazi
Nusrat Sultana
 The Role of Islamic Philosophy of Education in Aspiring
Holistic Learning by Aminuddin Hassana, Asmawati Suhida,
Norhasni Zainal Abiddina, Habsah Ismaila and Haziyah
Hussinb