Pragmatism and Its Implications for the Scientific Method in Light of the Intellectual Foundations of Islamic Education: A Critical Study

The study aimed to analyze pragmatism and its impact on the scientific method in light of the intellectual foundations of Islamic education. Using a critical approach, the research explored the limitations of pragmatist theories regarding ontology, epistemology, values, and their influence on scientific research within the framework of Islamic educational thought. The study employed a descriptive, documentary, and analytical methodology, supplemented by an inductive approach to analyze philosophical literature and Islamic educational sources.
Key findings revealed that pragmatism exhibits significant shortcomings in explaining the universe and knowledge, emphasizing material utility while rejecting religion and metaphysics. This focus neglects spiritual and fixed dimensions, reducing truth to experimental and utilitarian outcomes. Its relativistic perspective on truths and values hinders scientific, research, and civilizational progress, fostering duality in standards and hypocritical behaviors in future generations. Additionally, pragmatism negatively influenced scientific research by narrowing the concept of science and natural laws to material disciplines only, excluding non-empirical sciences. The emphasis on applied natural sciences led to an imbalance in scientific integration, weakening interest in foundational and theoretical research and deprioritizing its global publication. These issues underscore the need for a balanced approach to integrate spiritual, ethical, and comprehensive scientific perspectives in advancing knowledge.
Keywords :
Philosophy - Pragmatism - Science - Utilitarianism - Foundational Doctrine of Islamic Education