AHSGS

COLLOQUIUM FOR
GRADUATE
STUDENT 2015
EPISTEMOLOGY
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PROF DR HAJI ABDULLAH HAJI ABDUL GHANI

IBS COB

SEMINAR HALL SCHOOL OF COMPUTING

BUILDING
25 JANUARY 2015

WHAT IS A PHD/DBA?
A phd/DBA is not merely a vague title but
actually means what it implies: it is an award
to an expert who has proven their scientific
worth and not to someone who stayed in a
tolerant group for long enough

WHAT IS RESEARCH ?
RE-SEARCH: THE ART OF DIS-COVERY
Organized Study:Methodical Investigation Into A
Subject In Order To Discover Facts, To Establish Or Revise
A Theory, Or To Develop A Plan Of Action Based On The
Facts Discovered

PHILOSOPHY
Philosophy

derives from A combination of the greek

words philos meaning love and sophia meaning wisdom.
What philosophy is, or should be, is itself A philosophical
question that philosophers have understood and treated
differently through the ages.

Philosophy

can mean the academic exploration of

various questions raised by philosophers; or to the
collective works of major philosophers; it can also mean a
certain critical, creative way of thinking.
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EPISTEMOLOGY
Theories of knowledge or studies of knowledge
Branch of philosophy that asks whether we know things and,
if so, how

The study of source, nature, varieties and limitations of

knowledge

It attempts to answer the basic question

True (adequate) vs false (inadequate)

knowledge

The above Q lead to sc.Fic methodology: to improve existing

theories or models

SOME TYPICAL PROBLEMS CLASSICAL

EPISTEMOLOGY ADDRESSES
What can we know
How do we know
What, if anything, does the subject contribute to his
knowledge

What is truth
How can we recognize truth
What is probable knowledge as opposed to certain
knowledge

Is there a priori knowledge, and if so what

How action and language are related to knowledge
What is the status of concepts and propositions
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KNOWLEDGE
The act or state of knowing; clear perception of fact, truth, or
duty; certain apprehension; familiar cognizance; cognition.

That which is or may be known; the object of an act of

knowing; a cognition; -- chiefly used in the plural.

That which is gained and preserved by knowing; instruction;

acquaintance; enlightenment; learning; scholarship;
erudition.

That familiarity which is gained by actual experience;

practical skill; as, a knowledge of life.
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Rationalism (Formal structural proof)

Postulation

Selfevident truth

Idealism
(highly
interpretive
ideas)

Method of authority

Scienctific method
Empiricism
(observable
concrete data)

Literary

Untested opinion

Existentialism (informal
process)

KNOWLEDGE TRADITION
The history of knowledge and science not begins from
West but from East.
The most important area are Egypt and Mesopotamia
(Babylon) which located at Nil Valley and TigrisEuphrates River Valley
These area are so special because of the knowledge
heritage and development of science and technology

ESTERN TRADITION
EGYPT & MESAPOTAMIA
ARCHEOLOGY, MATHEMATIC, GEOMETRY, MEDICINE, ARCHITECTURE

INDIA
MATHEMATIC, MEDICINE, ASTRONOMY

CHINA
NATURAL SCIENCE

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WHAT ARE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF KNOWLEDGE

CIVILIZATION IN EGYPT AND BABYLON?

1.Knowledge tradition or civilization begins from East not

West

2.Holistic knowledge activities was parallel with religious

activities. In other word, knowledge scholar at the same

time also religious scholar.

3.The founder of knowledge in Egypt and Babylon were

the prophet and messenger of God.

4.In Islamic tradition, Adam not only the first man, but
also pioneer of all knowledge. He taught his children
with technical knowledge, especially Syith.

5.Syith was the teacher of Idris, who born in Babylon. He

was the founder of geometry, astronomy, medicine,
and continued by Daniel.
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Integrated Knowledge Civilization

1.The development of knowledge that started from

East had flow to West. But the development was just

for a few decades, before conquered back by East.

2.Along the middle age (10 centuries), Islamic world

was in the knowledge brightness, but in the West was

in the Dark Ages.

3.Islamic knowledge civilization are Ilmu Naqliah or

Syariyyah (revealed science) and Ilmu Aqliyah
(rational science).

4.Ilmu Naqliah : Ulum Quran, Ulum Hadith, Ilmu Tauhid,

Ilmu Fiqh and Ilmu Akhlak, the history of prophet, and
Arabic Language.

5.Ilmu Aqliyah: philosophy, history, geography, science,

mathematic, and astronomy.

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6.Famous scholars: al-Khindi, al-Farabi,
Ibn Sina, Ibn

Tufail Ibn Rusyd, al Khawarizmi, al Ghazali.

REALITY OF KNOWLEDGE (CONTINUED)

AT LEAST 3 WELL ESTABLISHED PARADIGMS IN THE
DEVELOPMENT OF SCIENCE:

CLASSICAL PARADIGM: KNOWLEDGE-CURIOSITY-DRIVEN.

2 PARADIGM: TECHNOLOGY-MILITARY-POWER-DRIVEN.
3 PARADIGM: MARKET-WEALTH-DRIVEN PARADIGM.
ND
RD

(Shaharir Mohd Zin, 1998, Towards A Quantum Leap in the Development Of Islamic Science in Malaysia)

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PHILOSOPHY OF KNOWLEDGE

ONTOLOGY-ROOT AND DIVISION

EPISTEMOLOGY-METHOD OF GETTING KNOWLEDGE

INDUCTIVE, DEDUCTIVE, FALSIFICATION & HYPOTHETICALDEDUCTIVE METHOD.

AXIOLOGY

VALUE & RESPONSIBILITY

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ONTOLOGY DEFINITIONS
Concerned with the study of being, of reality in its most
fundamental and comprehensive forms.

Ref: www.atf.org.au/papers/glossary.asp

The theory of objects and their ties.

The unfolding of ontology provides criteria for

distinguishing various types of objects (concrete and

abstract, existent and non-existent, real and
ideal,
Ref: www.formalontology.it/
independent and dependent) and their ties (relations,
dependences and predication).

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TYPES OF ONTOLOGY

There are four different types of ontology:

Domain ontologies, representing a target

domain, as engineering, medicine etc.

Generic or common sense ontologies,

capturing general knowledge about time.

Space, events, etc.

Method ontologies, describing specific task, as

diagnosis.

Metadata ontologies, describing the content of

on-line information sources.
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EPISTEMOLOGY

THEORY & SOURCE OF KNOWLEDGE

In

epistemology a common definition of knowledge is that it

consist of justified true belief. For most philosophical history,

knowledge was taken to mean a belief that was justified as
true to an absolute certainty. Any less justified beliefs were
called mere probable opinion. To be a knowledge, a belief
has to have some positive epistemic feature; it cant be
arbitrary or random or irrational.
(Source:http://en.Wikipedia.Org/wiki/knowledge)

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RATIONALISM
The human reason, or understanding, is the sole source
and final test of all truth.

Renes Descartes (1596-1650) using mathematical and

geometrical analytical method.

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EMPIRICISM
Is

the philosophical doctrine that all human knowledge

comes at first from sense and experience. Empiricism

denies that human have innate ideas that anything is
knowable prior to any experience.

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EMPIRICISM
Classical Empiricism : Aristotle argued that all form of
knowing come from induction.
Modern Empiricism :All knowledge must be attained by
our consciousness through internal and external sensations.
(David Hume, John Locke and George Berkeley)
Radical Empiricism : All human knowledge is purely
empirical. (William James)
Nave Empiricism
: Our ideas and theories need to be
tested against reality and not be affected by preconceived
notions.
Constructive Empiricism : According to this view of
science coined by Bas Van Fraassen (The Scientific Image,
1980), we should only ask that theories accurately describe
observable parts of the world. Theories that meet these
requirements are considered empirically adequate. If a
theory become established, it should be accepted. What
that means is the theory is believed to be empirically
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accurate, use to solve further problem,
and use to extend or
refine the theory.

CONFORMISM
Term used to describe a state of orthodoxy, the

suspension of actions or opinions in favor of

obedience to the mandate or conventions of
ones peer group. The old saying expresses this
well : when in rome, do as the roman do. By
definition, conformism present the antithesis
both of creativity and of innovative leadership
and hence oppose change or progress.

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INTUITISM
Immediate

apprehension by mind without reasoning.

The belief that primary truths and principles especially
of ethics and metaphysics are known directly by
intuition.

The knowing of something without prior knowledge or

the use of reason. All stands revealed the hearts, the

motives, the causes all events. Able to sense the
invisible and the impalatable. Prophets are often
intuitive. Acquire through spiritual intelligence (SQ)

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REVELATION
The

kind of knowledge that is given by god to man

through direct revelation. Unveils the mystery of being
and existence and reveals the true relationship between
mans self and his lord, and since for man such
knowledge pertains to the ultimate purpose of knowing,
it follows that knowledge of its prerequisites become the
basis and essential foundation for the knowledge of the
second kind (knowledge of science).
(Source : SYED MUHAMMAD NAQUIB AL-ATTAS)

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TYPES OF METHODOLOGY
Logical Thinking -- The Source of Methodology
Overview of Logical Knowledge
Conditional

Proposition

(Al-syartiah)

(Al-Qadiayah)

Validation
(Tasdiq)

Comparison/
Deduction
Argumentation
(Muhajjah)

Logical
Knowledge
Conceptual
(Tasawur)

Precise
Definition

(Al-Qias/
syllogism)

Conclusion/
Induction
(Al-Istiqra)

Unconditional
(Al-hamliah)

Complete Induction
(Al-Istiqra alTamm)

Limited Induction

(Tarif bil hadd)

(Al-Istiqra al-Naqis)

Connotative
Definition
(Tarif bil
Rasm)
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(Al-Istiqra Riyadi)
(Al-Istiqra ilmii) Natural/Physical
science
mathematic
Chemistry, physic,
biology

TYPES OF METHODOLOGY
Overview of Methodology
Types of Methodology
Deductive
Inductive
Hypothetical Deductive
Rabbani

General Understanding/ Conclusion

Observations
Conclusion/ Understanding
from specific observation

Observed
phenomenon

Conclusion/ Understanding
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DEDUCTIVE METHODOLOGY WHAT IS IT?

Definition:
Make an inference to explain specific observed
phenomenon based
on existing general understanding, rules or knowledge

Originated from the Latin words de ( From) and

decere (Lead towards) General Understanding/ Conclusion
Syllogism (Al-qias) Introduced by Aristotle
(384~322BC)
Classic logical Knowledge
Observed
phenomenon

Conclusion/ Understanding
Based on general rules/ understanding

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DEDUCTIVE METHODOLOGY PROCESS

Move from General understanding (postulate &
Axiom) as
Premise Specifics phenomenon
Postulate Something that believe to be true but
not proven
(without empirical study or observation)
(Muqaddimah
al Kubra)
(Natijah)
Axiom al-Sughra)
Formal (Muqaddimah
rule or principle
that

generally to

be true,
All vegetables
is nutritious
(Muqaddimah al-Sughra
dominated
in Mathematics
+
Minor
Premise
Conclusion
Nutrition
is good+
forMajor
health Premise
(Muqaddimah
al Kubra)
All Vegetables is good for health

Example:

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(Natijah)

INDUCTIVE METHODOLOGY - DEFINITION

Definition:
Generalizing a knowledge, understanding, conclusion from
the
understanding of specifics observation to a general rules or
knowledge with the elements of probability

Modern Logical Knowledge based on empirical

study

General Understanding/ Conclusion

Types of Induction: Completed(Al-Istiqra Tamn)& Limited (alIstiqra Naqis)

Observations
Conclusion/ Understanding
from specific observation

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FALSIFIABILITY AS A CRITERION FOR

THEORIES
Theories shown to be false through observation and

experiment. Example: proton cars never breakdown or

ice will not melt if room temperature is 0 celcius

To be part of science, any hypothesis must be falsifiable;

logically possible observation of any hypothesis

Thus statements which is vaguely form and is not

falsifiable is not scientific. Example: proton savvy may be

better than myvi but it may not be as good.

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DEGREE OF FALSIFIABILITY, CLARITY

AND PRECISION

Any theories which can be proven in terms of

falsifiability is a good scientific law. Example,

newtons theory proven to be more resistant to
falsifying than Keplers Theory.

Science progresses by trial and error; theories

which were not falsified yet meant they are the

currently most accurate ones and not guaranteed to
be true forever.

Thus, any theories should be clearly stated and not

vague.

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FALSIFICATIONISM AND PROGRESS

Science starts from problems. Hypotheses are formed as
solution to problems.

Falsificationist seeks ways to continue rigorous tests to falsify

a certain theory after which a stronger theory emerges.

Aristotles theory being taken over by newtons theory.

Newtons theory was able to account for more issues which

Aristotles theories did not mention. This was followed by
Einsteins Theory which proved to be a challenge to falsify for
current modern physicists.

There is no truth, only the current most correct answer.

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LIMITATIONS OF FALSIFICATIONISM
Theory-dependence of observation and the
fallibility of falsifications
Theory acceptance is always tentative (for
now)
Theory rejection is decisive (forever)
Note that observation might be wrong!
Thus many instances whereby rejections of

observation statements and the retention of

the theories they clash

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FALSIFICATIONISM INADEQUATE ON
HISTORIAL GROUNDS
Theories may have been rejected due to historical grounds.
Example: newtons gravitational theory was falsified by
observation of the moons orbit. Only after 50 years that this
is deflected to other causes than newtons theory.

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Hypothetico-deductive
1. Philosopher Karl Popper suggested that it is impossible to
prove a scientific theory true by means of induction, because
no amount of evidence assures us that contrary evidence will
not be found.
2. Instead, Karl Popper proposed that proper science is
accomplished by deduction. Deduction involves the process of
falsification.
3. Falsification is a particular specialized aspect of hypothesis
testing. It involves stating some output from theory in specific
and then finding contrary cases using experiments or
observations.
4. The methodology proposed by Popper is commonly known as
the hypothetico -deductive method.
5. Popper's version of scientific method first begins with the
postulation of a hypothesis.
6. A hypothesis is an educated guess or a theory that explains
some phenomenon. The researcher then tries to prove or test
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this scientific theory false through prediction or
experimentation

SCOPE OF KNOWLEDGE

RATIONAL

EMPIRICAL

INTUITION

GOD KNOWLEDGE

REVELATION

RABBANI METHOD
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AXIOLOGY- THE VALUE

OF TRUTH
In everyday life, people distinguish between

truth and falsehood as a matter of survival.

People who are unable to recognize lies,
mistakes or inaccuracies, at least most of
the time, suffer greatly.
The philosophical problem of truth has been
described as the search for the nature of
truth. It applied to a statement or belief.

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THEORIES ABOUT TRUTH

Correspondence theory of truth :

truth is correspondence with
objective reality. Thus, a sentence is said to be true just in case it
express a state of affair in the world. Eg. Snow is white is true.

The coherence theory : truth is coherence with some specified set of

sentences or, more often, of beliefs. For example, one of a persons
belief is true just in case it is coherent with all or most of her other
beliefs.

Pragmatic theory of truth : based on the foundation of the principle of

evolutionism. An idea can only be considered true if posses practical
value or vital benefits. Pragmatism believed absolute truth do not
exist (Charles Sanders Pierce, William James). Nature of truth
statement by working hypothesis, focus on similarities and differences.

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TYPE OF TRUTH
SUBJECTIVE VS OBJECTIVE
SUBJECTIVE TRUTH Are those with which we are most intimately
acquainted. Metaphysical subjectivism holds that all we have are
such truths. That is, that all we can know about are one way or
another, our own subjective experiences. This view does not
reject realism. But at least it claim that we cannot have direct
knowledge of the real world.

OBJECTIVE TRUTH Are suppose to be one way to be independent

of our subjective beliefs and tastes. Such truth would subsist not
in the mind but in the external object.

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RELATIVE VS ABSOLUTE

Relative truths are statements or propositions that are true only relative to some
standard or convention or point-of-view. Everyone agrees that the truth or falsify of
some statements is relative: the fork is to the left of the spoon depends on where
one stands. Relativism entails that what is true varies across cultures and eras.

Absolute truths are statement or propositions that are taken to be true for all
cultures and eras. Example: for muslim, Allah is great expression an absolute truth;
for economist, that the law of supply and demand determine the value of any
consumable in the market economy is true in all situations.

Absolutism in particular domain of thought is the view that all statements in that
domain are either absolute true or absolute false: none is true for some cultures or
eras while false for other cultures or eras. Example abortion is wrong or charity is
good.

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THE CONCEPT OF DOUBT FROM ISLAM VIEWPOINT

The doubt (shakk), conjecture and guess disputation and contention,

inclination of mind or soul towards natural desire (hawa), are all generally
considered blameworthy-the more so when applied to an masquerading as
knowledge. We must take note of the significance that, in the case of
western culture and civilisation, and with reference to sociology of
knowledge, the west defined knowledge in terms of the effort of science as
control of nature and society. (Syed Naquib Al-Attas)

There are situations and issues which do not require thinking. One does not
need to conduct lengthy experiment and engage in extensive study to
prove something that is plainly obvious from every day experience.

According to Al-Ghazali, doubt is the first stage of certainty (yaqin). His

concept of doubt is not based on scepticism but more on methodological.
When the doubt is clear, certainty will emerge.

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