Medieval Muslim Philosophers and Intercultural Communication: Towards a Dialogical Paradigm in Education

This book examines the works of Medieval Muslim philosophers interested in intercultural encounters and how receptive Islam is to foreign thought,to serve as a dialogical model,grounded in intercultural communications,for Islamic and Arabic education.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 174 pages
Publication date: 30 December 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This book delves into the works of Medieval Muslim philosophers who were deeply interested in intercultural encounters and the receptivity of Islam to foreign thought. It serves as a valuable dialogical model, rooted in intercultural communications, for Islamic and Arabic education. The philosophers examined in this project were instructors, tutors, or teachers, such as Al-Kindi, Al-Farabi, Al-Ghazali, and Averroes, whose philosophical contributions directly or indirectly advanced intercultural learning.

The book explores and provides examples of how each of these philosophers engaged with intercultural encounters, and it raises the question of how their philosophies can contribute to infusing intercultural ethics and practices into curriculum theorizing.

Firstly, it examines selected works of medieval Muslim philosophers from an intercultural perspective to formulate a dialogical paradigm that informs and enriches Muslim education. This paradigm emphasizes the importance of dialogue, mutual understanding, and respect in intercultural interactions.

Secondly, the book frames intercultural education as a catalyst to guide Muslim communities' interactions and identity construction. It encourages flexibility, tolerance, deliberation, and plurality in these interactions, recognizing the diverse backgrounds and perspectives within Muslim societies.

Thirdly, the book bridges the gap between medieval tradition and modern thought by promoting interdisciplinary connections and redrawing intercultural boundaries outside disciplinary limits. It recognizes the value of integrating knowledge from various fields, such as philosophy, sociology, anthropology, and cultural studies, to understand intercultural dynamics better.

This study demonstrates that the dialogical domain that guides intercultural contact becomes a curriculum-oriented structure with Al-Kindi, a tripartite pedagogical model with Al-Fārābī, a sojourner experience with Al-Ghazali, and a deliberative pedagogy of alternatives with Averroes. Therefore, the book speaks to readers interested in the potential of dialogue in education, intercultural communication, and Islamic thought research.

Crucially, this book bridges the gap between medieval tradition and modern thought by promoting interdisciplinarity. It recognizes the value of integrating knowledge from various disciplines to understand the complexities of intercultural encounters and to develop effective strategies for promoting intercultural learning and understanding.

In conclusion, this book offers a valuable contribution to the field of Islamic and Arabic education by exploring the works of Medieval Muslim philosophers who were deeply interested in intercultural encounters and the receptivity of Islam to foreign thought. It provides a dialogical model that can inform and enrich Muslim education, promoting intercultural ethics, practices, and understanding. By bridging the gap between medieval tradition and modern thought, it contributes to the development of a more inclusive and pluralistic society.

Weight: 284g
Dimension: 228 x 151 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032423807