Home> Archive> 2014> Volume 4 Number 2 (Mar. 2014)
IJSSH 2014 Vol.4(2): 88-91 ISSN: 2010-3646
DOI: 10.7763/IJSSH.2014.V4.324

The Historical Influence of Classical Islam on Western Humanistic Education

Rena D. Dossett

Abstract—Significant evidence suggests that the roots of Western humanistic education can be traced to medieval Islamic scholasticism. This study is based on careful analysis of historical documents which reveals the connection between classical Islamic scholarship and the foundations of Western humanistic education, the impact of which is evident to this day. Classical Islamic influence on medieval European education focuses on the origins of Italian Renaissance humanism in terms of the studia humanitatis and the ars dictaminis, and the roots of scholasticism as seen through the contributions of Abu Walid Muhammad ibn Ahmad ibn Rushd, known to the Western world as Averroes. During the medieval period, our two great civilizations worked together in creating and maintaining academic learning for the mutual betterment of mankind. A discussion of the Islamic influence on Western humanistic education provides a common ground for creating a dialogue of mutual respect and for alleviating present ideological tensions between the Middle East and the West.

Index Terms—Comparative education, history of education, Islamic studies, medieval studies, middle ages, Middle East.

Rena D. Dossett is with the Ball State University, USA (e-mail: rddossett@bsu.edu).

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Cite: Rena D. Dossett, " The Historical Influence of Classical Islam on Western Humanistic Education," International Journal of Social Science and Humanity vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 88-91, 2014.

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