An-Nahdlah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam
Vol 6 No 1 (2026): Mei-Agustus

INTEGRATING IBN MISKAWAIH’S CHARACTER EDUCATION AND BEHAVIORISTIC PSYCHOLOGY: A SYNTHETIC FRAMEWORK FOR MORAL DEVELOPMENT

Muhammad Iqbal (Universitas Kiai Abdullah Faqih Gresik)
Friendis Syani Amrulloh (Universitas Kiai Abdullah Faqih Gresik)



Article Info

Publish Date
26 Aug 2026

Abstract

Character education in the 21st century faces a significant gap between moral knowledge and ethical action, often stalling at a purely cognitive level. This study aims to formulate an integrative pedagogical model by synthesizing Ibn Miskawaih’s classical ethical philosophy specifically his concepts of malakah and al-adah with the behaviorist psychological theories of Ivan Pavlov, B.F. Skinner, and Clark Hull. Utilizing a qualitative-descriptive approach through a philosophical literature review, this research analyzes primary texts, including Tahdhib al-Akhlaq, alongside foundational behaviorist literature. The findings indicate a profound functional alignment between Miskawaih’s systematic habituation and modern conditioning mechanisms. The study reveals that behaviorism provides the empirical hardware to transform abstract virtues into measurable, automatic behavioral responses. Furthermore, the research repositions the educator as an environmental architect who designs moral ecosystems through strategic stimuli and reinforcement. However, the integration necessitates Islamic ethical filters, such as niyyah (intention), to ensure that behavioral changes remain anchored in spiritual sincerity rather than becoming merely mechanistic. This synergy offers a robust methodological framework for cultivating moral integrity that is both observable and spiritually deep in the contemporary era.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

an-nahdlah

Publisher

Subject

Religion Education

Description

An-Nahdlah: Jurnal Pendidikan Islam which focuses on issues related to the field of Islamic Education. We invite lecturers, students, researchers, practitioners, and observers in the field of Islamic Education to publish their manuscripts that have never been published in other media, which focus ...