Philosophical psychological views of Al Farabi

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Al Farabi's psychological views

 

In the Middle Ages, a number of scientists and thinkers lived and worked in Central Asia. They did not develop only from religious sciences, but created scientific works recognized by the whole world in such fields of science: mathematics, philosophy, astronomy, medicine, pedagogy, anatomy, ethics-aesthetics, psychology and other sciences. These works were not only read by the readers of Central Asia, but also by the progressive thinkers of the whole world who used them as textbooks, one of such scholars was Abu Nasir Muhammad Ibn Tarkhan (Al Farabi) who was born in the city of Farab in 870-950. Farabi widely popularized the works of Aristotle and Plato in Central Asia, so he was called the second teacher in the West.

Among the works written by Farabi, we are interested in his works on philosophy, pedagogy, psychology, ethics and aesthetics. According to Farabi, the moral qualities of a person are formed under the influence of the environment and upbringing. Farabi believes that the concept of morality is closely related to human character. Because every character trait can be changed for the better. Based on this, human morality can only be changed for the better. According to him, there are 4 obstacles for the perfect formation of the human personality:

1. disrespect

2. immorality

3. variability

4. hesitation

In addition, Farobi expresses his opinion about the strict and soft upbringing. This, in turn, is one of the main ideas and methods of educational psychology. In his opinion, excessive strictness in teaching the student makes the teacher hate him. In his soul, he creates a conflict with his teacher. Excessive gentleness in education causes the student to feel contempt for the teacher. He realizes that he is trying to deceive and laugh at his teacher. Although Farobi did not write specific works in the field of psychology, he interpreted the foundations of Plato's (Aristotle's) psychology, adapted to local conditions, and as a result, psychological worldviews typical of Central Asian philosophical views were formed.

Farabi's views in the field of science influenced the thinkers who lived after him - Beruni, Ibn Sina, and in turn, these thinkers consider Farabi to be their teachers.