An Islamic psychological approach to the philosopher’s way of life: towards ‘good health and well-being’

• Main Author: Moris, Megawati
• Format: Conference or Workshop Item
• Language: English
• Published: 2019
• Subjects: B720 Medieval; BJ Ethics; BJ1518 Individual ethics. Character. Virtue; BL Religion
• Online Access: http://irep.iium.edu.my/86506/1/86506_AN%20ISLAMIC%20PSYCHOLOGICAL%20APPROACH_new.pdf; http://irep.iium.edu.my/86506/
• Institution: Universiti Islam Antarabangsa Malaysia

In this paper I will elaborate on the meaning of philosophy and the philosopher’s way of life as elaborated by Islamic philosopher Abū Bakr al-Rāzī (d. 925). In doing this it would be clear that the discipline of philosophy entails a person to study it theoretically and live it practically. Al-Rāzī’s conception of the philosopher’s way of life relate to the Islamic teachings on the human soul and the afterlife. It entails the discussion of the human soul and its well-being. According to him the purpose of the soul is to acquire knowledge, apply justice and restrain the passion so that it is liberated from this transient world to the eternal next world. The well-being of the soul requires the soul to get rid of vices which are the cause of the soul’s illnesses. Hence, this paper will show the importance of the philosopher’s way of life from an Islamic psychological approach in terms of achieving well-being of the soul. The well-being of the soul is a perennial concern of human beings more so during these present times in which, according to World Health Organization health report in 2018, around 450 million people currently suffer from mental or psychological disorder putting this type of disorder among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. Hence, understanding how to achieve the soul’s well-being is not only important from an individual perspective but it also contributes towards one of the global goals or sustainable development goals (SDG) of ‘good health and well-being’ to build a better world and future for everyone. Key words: philosopher’s way of life, human soul and the afterlife, well-being of the soul, SDG’s ‘good health and well-being’