Muaddib: Journal of Islamic Teaching and Learning
Vol. 2 No. 1 (2026): March

The Role of Philosophy of Science in Developing Students’ Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

Rifadli Amin DG. M (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ternate, Indonesia)
Nurasma Ila Ismail (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ternate, Indonesia)
Mustamin Giling (Institut Agama Islam Negeri Ternate, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
28 Mar 2026

Abstract

The era of disruption, marked by technological revolutions, an information explosion, and complex social dynamics, calls for the emergence of Muslim intellectuals who are not only religious but also adaptable, critical, and creative. This article aims to analyze the strategic role of the Philosophy of Science course in developing students’ critical and creative thinking patterns as a foundation for building adaptive intellectual capacity. The research employs a qualitative approach using the case study method, involving participatory observation in Philosophy of Science classes, curriculum document analysis, and in-depth interviews with fifteen students and five instructors. The research findings indicate that effective Philosophy of Science instruction serves as a metacognitive toolkit that empowers students, first to conduct critical analysis of the structure of knowledge, underlying assumptions, and the validity of arguments, whether in religious texts or contemporary issues; second, to develop intellectual creativity by formulating philosophical questions, mapping scientific problems in a multidisciplinary manner, and envisioning alternative solutions. The implications of this study indicate that the philosophy of science plays a very important role in fostering critical thinking among students, although in practice, some instructors still limit students’ thinking by relying solely on a single argument.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

muaddib

Publisher

Subject

Description

Muaddib: Journal of Islamic Teaching and Learning is an international journal published by International Islamic Studies Development and Research Center (IISDRC), Indonesia. This journal discusses and raises various issues related to Islamic education both theoretically and practically, while also ...