Research in Social Sciences

Intellectual Challenge for Alternate Perspective

Prof. Khurshid Ahmad, Chairman IPS and Dr. Rifaat Hussain, Chairman Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad discussed the modern philosophies of research

Intellectual Challenge for Alternate Perspective

Prof. Khurshid Ahmad, Chairman IPS and Dr. Rifaat Hussain, Chairman Department of Defence and Strategic Studies (DSS), Quaid-e-Azam University (QAU), Islamabad discussed the modern philosophies of research in social sciences and the intellectual challenge they pose in terms of developing Islamic ontological and epistemological positions as an alternative. They were speaking at a seminar jointly held by DSS department of QAU and IPS on December 29, 2010. Dr. Nazya Fiaz, Assistant Professor at DSS, QAU moderated the session and Khalid Rahman, DG IPS, opened the session.

Khalid Rahman noted that Western philosophies being taught and applied in contemporary practices of research in social sciences were developed in a certain socio-political, cultural and civilizational environment. These philosophies are “shaping the intellectual minds of present times” and accordingly the practices in each and every field of life, he maintained.

Mr. Rahman questioned if there was “any alternate theorization in the field of research and science” and put forth the idea of exploring the claims of Muslim scholars that “Islamic theories of research present a rich heritage” and “different ontological positions and epistemological practices from Western theorization.”

The main speaker of the seminar, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad, maintained that Islamic ontological and epistemological approach provided a comprehensive, holistic, and integrated framework for carrying out research in social sciences.

“Logical reasoning, intuition, and empiricism are the essential elements of Islamic epistemology” and they all were complementary to each other. However, “divine guidance holds the prime significance in Islamic ontology and is the source of higher form of knowledge,” Prof. Khurshid noted.

While rejecting the idea of value free research, he observed that the so called value neutrality was neither possible nor in practice in modern research. Prof. Ahmad referred to the history saying “intellectual leadership has always remained a key factor in the rise and fall of civilizations throughout the history” and Muslim scholars faced the challenge of presenting Islamic theories in the contemporary context and relating them to the modern practices of research in social sciences.

He urged the Muslim students and researchers to work hard and revive Muslims intellectual legacy “with clear vision.” To meet the challenges of the present time, it is essential for the Muslims to recapture the intellectual leadership, he concluded.
Dr. Rifaat Hussain, as discussant in the seminar, noted that the realist epistemology could be a middle ground between the religious and empiricist ontology adding that realist ontology is near to Islamic ontology.

Referring to an American Philosopher Charles C. Pierce’s concept of Fixation of Beliefs, Dr. Hussain informed the audience about four different methods of knowing including method of tenacity, method of inquiry, a priori method and method of science. He also discussed various theoretical frameworks including Logical Positivism, Social Constructionism and Realism which provided the basis for the social sciences in the western epistemology.

Moderating the session, Dr. Nazya Fiaz underscored the need to find a middle ground between the western theorization and religious ontology.