The Death of Every Inanimate Being from the Life of the Mortal World and Its Wisdom
In the view of Islam, the death of every animate creature from the life of the mortal world is part of the pillars of faith. Belief on the Day of Judgment is the fifth pillar of faith. This event is often called the sugra apocalypse or small apocalypse. If we read and interpret from books related to the Islamic religion about the apocalypse, then it is written that the Sugra apocalypse is an event that ends the lives of some creatures in this world.
All living things in this world will experience death. For people who are still alive, the sugra apocalypse is a very valuable lesson. The proof of the death of every animate creature from the life of the mortal world has been mentioned in QS Ali Imran verse 185, which means;
*"Every soul will taste death. And only on the Day of Resurrection will you be fully rewarded. Whoever is kept from hell and put into heaven, indeed, he has won. The life of this world is but a deceptive pleasure."*
Rasulullah SAW (Prophet Muhammad) has also reminded every Ummah about death in his hadith, He said; "Meaning: "*People who have died, the apocalypse has come itself*".
The death of every living being from the life of the mortal world is the absolute secret of Allah SWT. No creature can know the time to leave this world for the hereafter. Therefore, every human being must prepare himself to face death with various pious deeds. This is the wisdom of believing in the death of every animate being from the life of the mortal world.
From every death that we have ever encountered, other lessons can be learned from the events of death. that is;
Adding confidence and piety to the greatness and power of Allah SWT
Can be self-control when you want to do something
Make every deed that is done sincerely solely for the sake of Allah
Make life full of enthusiasm
Be a responsible and disciplined person
Make the life of the world a means to reach the afterlife
Realizing that all actions will be rewarded according to what was done
Encouraging yourself to seek supplies as much as possible for the afterlife.
In addition to death events, there are several other examples of the sugra apocalypse. These events are natural disasters, including disease outbreaks, floods, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and tsunamis. Hopefully, the writing of the death of every animate creature from the life of this mortal world can increase the faith and piety of Muslims to Allah SWT. thank you
Poisonous Power
A few days ago two of my leaders committed suicide in a bureaucracy or exercised their right to resign in an institution. His condition was very pathetic and many people felt sorry for him. But whatever the power, the rice has turned into porridge, everything has happened, in the language of religion, it has become 'qadarullah.' Because, without God's intervention, all decisions, all actions, even all our deeds, would not be possible.
The question is, what is our contribution in life and this life? If all our movements, our mind, and heart, our breath. Everything around us turns out to be only God who has absolute power. We don't have the 'effort' to do something. Even the most trivial things can happen, and all of this cannot be separated from God's intervention. Of course, I will not focus on discussing this Qadarullah specifically, but more generally and more freely.
The last words that could come out of the mouth of my two leaders, was that he did this because he was no longer trusted. In my layman's mind, that trust, nothing more and nothing less, is just a concern from people who are believed to love him, love him, even protect him. When love, compassion, and protection are no longer available to him, he commits an act that greatly tarnishes himself and his company.
Feeling this loss of love, affection and protection are one of the most deadly depressions of power. He can kill anyone from high-ranking officials to people who are used to starvation. Loss of love, compassion, and protection is the result of an excessive dose of love, compassion, and protection itself. Too much love is a failure. Excess love is emptiness. And, overprotection is the lack of meaning and vision of life and the loss of moral 'immunity'.
The philosophers of the world speak of power with ambiguous perceptions. Some rail, but not a few who hope. Rutger Bregman, a Dutch thinker, exposed the corrupt seduction of power. Sincere-hearted people become vile and greedy when they hold power.
Lord Acton is also famous for his expression. Power tends to corrupt humans (power tends to corrupt), and absolute power corrupts humans absolutely (absolute power corrupts absolutely). Friedrich Nietzsche, the German thinker, also saw the driving force of power in the human mind. He calls the human drive the will to power.
Furthermore, perhaps no one can feel the power dilemma, other than Abraham Lincoln, the President of the United States who brought the US out of the dark era of slavery. He once said, if you want to see a person's true character, give him power.
The real power lies in knowledge (knowledge is power). That is what Francis Bacon, one of the thinkers of the European Enlightenment, emphasized. With that quote, Europe entered an era of tremendous scientific and technological progress.
This series of brief reflections by world thinkers on power may not be complete if it is not closed with Mahatma Gandhi's understanding of power. On the day when the power of love is greater than human love for power, the world will know peace.
Power is neutral. It is neither good nor bad. Power is like a sword. It is sharp and must have a snug fit. Otherwise, he would injure innocent people, including the owner himself. The next question, what kind of sheath is right for that power?. The answer I chose was SPIRITUALITY.
Spirituality here is not jargons, mottos, or moral pillars of the struggle of an institution/institution, but the way of life of people who realize their true self. This can be done, if we can distance ourselves from the social identity we receive from society. This awareness is the foundation of true spirituality. Spiritual transcends religious boundaries. In philosophy and political theory, such consciousness is also known as cosmopolitan consciousness.
Furthermore, related to power like a sword, and spirituality as a scabbard, there are two important things that we need to understand, namely:
First, the identity of the power holder must be as wide as the universe. Of course, power should not be attached, let alone fanatics with one social identity, such as religion, race, ethnicity, and nation. The true identity of the man is a universal being. Therefore, before holding power, we must be aware of and understand our identity as universal beings.
Second, from this universal identity, true morality is born. When we do good to others, it is not because that person has done us a favor, but because they are fellow creatures of the universe. Our limits are the boundaries of the universe. Morals born from this awareness are natural morality that is in line with the laws of the universe, as well as ideals for exercising power. If this happens, then power can be devoted to caring for life, both humans and all creatures. This is true power.
We also see many swords without sheaths around us. Many rulers hold power with very narrow identities. As a result, morality becomes narrow and pseudo. Discrimination, corruption, and policy errors are common. Our society lives in poverty and ignorance, due to the absence of an example from its leaders. This is all coupled with a wave of outside cultural influences that destroy our culture.
When hypocrisy also becomes a daily culture, then the slogans and mottos of morality are used as masks, to cover injustice, discrimination, and corruption. Of course, all of this cannot be allowed to continue. If there is no scabbard, then the sword should be thrown away, because it will injure many people. If power is not imbued with spirituality, then power will be very toxic and can kill the person who holds the power itself.
In the end, I suddenly realized why two of my leaders committed suicide in the 36-year-old institutional bureaucracy. Of course, it's not just the intelligence factor of the whisperers, but because his power is not enveloped by the universe of spirituality. So that neutral power turns into poison.
The Meaning of a Treasure
It's okay if you were born poor. Rich is not a goal of human life. Rich is just a sweetener of life, if you are not strong enough to hold it, then it will poison you with a million greed.
You can pursue wealth, but don't keep it in your heart. You just hold it, then you take your share, and the rest you give to others. How funny because the fact is not so, you can see the people around you, they are dazzled with wealth. They accumulate wealth in such a way, then keep it in their hearts, then they guard it until they die.
Not so young people. A heart that is always filled with wealth will always be restless, thinking about how to increase wealth from time to time. No matter day or night, there was only one thing on his mind: "Rich."
I wish you, not the wealth that you seek, but the greatness of soul to share. I, you, we, she, them, and all are brothers. You take advantage of wealth to help them in both broad and narrow circumstances. You share the wealth for the sake of reaching the perfection of the soul.
If so, I'm sure God will repay all your kindness next time. The reward can be in the form of health, pleasure, bounty, or other things that you cannot achieve if you store your wealth in a warehouse.
You just stay silent and your brow furrows. Soon you took out some bills, with a happy face you gave the money to me, saying:
*"Here's money for you, sister. Go find something to eat so that your stomach fills with bread soon."*
I went away, saying to myself:
*"I've managed to seduce him."*
Thank you for reading
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Highly Educated Women: Demand or Prestige?
Education is the most basic and crucial development transformation process in the movement of a nation's development. Awareness of the importance of education must be understood by all elements of society. But in reality, there is still a growing opinion that says women don't need to go to high school because in the end they only take care of their children and husband. Whereas the progress of a nation can begin to be built on the smallest state structure, namely the family.
The family is the first and central school for children to know life. The role of the mother here is needed in every child's development. Through a qualified mother's education, she will be able to educate her children to be better. Education for women must still be considered because intelligent and broad-minded mothers will produce intelligent children as well.
The nature of being a woman is something that can be considered fun because it will always be loved, pampered, protected, and so on. However, it makes women always considered less able to take care of themselves and is always associated with soft, gentle, sensitive, and emotional words. In contrast to men who are always described as tough, brave, dashing, and rational thinking. This is what positions a woman as a creature who seems to have to be guarded and always depends on men.
In social life, there have been many assumptions about women, for example in terms of education: "Women don't need to leave the house, let men pursue higher education. Women don't need to go to high school later in the end also take care of their husbands. " I still often encounter this assumption in small villages.
For reasons of limited funds and lazy thinking, a woman must drop out of school. This is what makes many women out there choose the path not to continue their higher education. Whereas basically education is a process of changing attitudes and mindsets that are carried out by every community without distinguishing gender.
In this modern era, women may choose to become full-time housekeepers but at least become housewives who are broad-minded, reliable, and dignified. Thus, making women more independent both outside and within the household, in terms of planning and managing finances in the family so that the family becomes prosperous. Thus, the role of women in the family is very strategic, in addition to being the first educator and also as a coach for the family and society.
This problem has been a public discussion for a long time, has been discussed often, and has been heard in almost all circles. However, until now, in fact, this issue still exists in society in my country. That's why this article is about women and education.
Women and education are two interesting things to discuss. The two have an extraordinary connection to the progress of the world. Education is believed to be part of the driving force of social change and the progress of the times. Therefore, all elements of society need to understand and understand the nature and importance of education.
For a woman, education must be the key to a better life. Like what Kartini (Indonesian women warrior) has said about the importance of education, it is the initial capital for the empowerment and progress of a nation in the future.
History shows that the key to the success of the development of developed countries is the availability of an educated population in adequate numbers, types, and levels. Therefore, almost all nations position development in the aspect of education as a top priority in their national development programs. Quality human resources are the key to the success of a country.
Humans get all the information and knowledge to develop themselves through education, where the main mission of education is to prepare children to be able to open their eyes, develop their lives and improve their lives.
Then, one of the goals of education is how to create a just society, by not discriminating against gender. A woman and a man both must take higher education to develop themselves for the better.
Sex Versus Gender
The image that men are stronger and rational while women are weak and emotional is a cultural construct. The image is not nature. Gender or sex refers to the nature or division of two biologically determined human sexes. That is everything that is owned and attached to humans.
The male sex will not be interchangeable in the human female gender, and vice versa. While gender is an inherent trait of men and women who are socially and culturally constructed. The characteristics of these properties are interchangeable properties.
The Importance of Education for Women
The struggle of women is the hardest and longest struggle, even more so than the struggle for independence. Feminism in my own country is marked by the emergence of several female figures such as Kartini, Dewi Sartika, and Cut Nya' Dien. They struggle through education so that women can read, also teach about skills. This emancipation can free women from the old slogan that women's work is only in wells, mattresses, and kitchens. Now there are no more restrictions on the rights of women, between women and men are the same.
The thing that needs to be changed in the life of our society is the mindset of those who still think that women do not need higher education, on the other hand, men are required to take it because they will become the head of the household. This kind of social construction causes a lot of women's potential to be hidden and not explored.
With the women's movement along with the times, the role of women is increasingly important. Almost all women in the world have a higher education background and have worked outside the home.
The way of thinking of parents with higher education will be different from the thoughts of parents with lower education. Most parents who have a higher education have high aspirations or desires for their children's education. They will want their children to have a higher education or at least equal to their parents' education.
These parents will continue to encourage their children to go to school and have higher education and encourage them to continue to excel. Highly educated parents also can help their children solve learning problems. as well as relating to the association of children with friends and the community.
From this, it can be said that the level of education of parents will affect the achievement of children's education, especially from the role of a mother. Therefore, with the provision of sufficient education, a woman will be more prepared and able to face the challenges of life. Whether she decides to have a career or become a housewife, a woman must still be highly educated for the good of herself, her husband, her children, and the environment around her.
Thank you for reading.
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Making Peace with Death
Talking about death is an issue that is considered taboo by some people. Indeed, we are always overwhelmed by anxiety about the shadows of death. But who can run from him when the time has come. Death is a mystery that has never been solved until now. Maybe we wonder where does the spirit goes after death? And what happened to the spirit? I as a Muslim have heard of the punishment of the grave, the pleasures of the grave, heaven, and hell.
Therefore, Muslims believe that death will lead to the punishment of the grave or the pleasures of the grave. So, in my opinion, humans are not afraid of death but are afraid of what will happen to them after death. In various ways, people avoid death as in the story of Pharaoh who claimed to be God but he was afraid of death so he ordered his troops to build a pyramid to avoid death. Pharaoh thought that the angel of death was unable to penetrate the wall he had made but in the end, the pharaoh was unable to escape from the grip of death. No human can live forever, everyone will experience death.
Maybe if long life can be obtained by humans but immortality is impossible for him. In Hinduism itself there is an Upanishad teaching which is to remove the body to the realm of immortality, so for Hindus, if they want to achieve immortality they have to go through an Upanishad ceremony but in the end, they fail and cannot escape death.
Death does not look at anyone whether he is young, old, male, female, black, white, official, laborer, and so on, all of which will experience death. Maybe we often hear news of death through mosque loudspeakers, cellphones, tv, newspapers, the internet, and so on. Maybe this is a reminder that one day we will also die, what is clear is that we must prepare provisions in the form of good deeds so that later we become intercessors or helpers in the afterlife.
In the Qur'an, it is also mentioned that people who die ask Allah to give them a chance to live for a while, they promise to do as much good as possible and practice all their possessions, but their request cannot be granted.
Therefore, let us who still have the opportunity to live to use our lives by multiplying righteous deeds, so that we do not regret as described in the Qur'an. We are always anxious and afraid whether we will die in a state of su'ul khatimah or khusnul khatimah it all depends on the habits we do if we like to do good, God willing, we will also die in good condition and vice versa.
Ready or not we must be ready to face death maybe it's time we have to make peace with death. In Islam, death is seen as a positive thing, not something to be feared, avoided, abused, and so on.
To the extent that Islam says that dying is home, peaceful, beautiful, and soothing. Let's think about what events make us happy other than going home? Coming home from school, coming home from work, going home for recreation, going home, and so on are all the moments that most people have been waiting for. And how troublesome it is if someone doesn't know the way home, how miserable it is for people to have a home but can't go home. People who travel will eventually return home because there is something they miss, whether it's their children, their wives, or their parents.
People should also feel happy when they meet their Lord. Islam says that this world is a place to stop, this world is a place to grow crops but later each of us will return to Allah. Approximately for a Muslim how many times does he mention the name of Allah? For parents whose children have wandered far, how many times have they called their children? The simple question is, which one is more preferable between the telephone and the face-to-face meeting? The answer, of course, prefers to meet face-to-face except for those whose reasoning is insane. Sane people, of course, prefer to meet in person rather than just a phone call.
So dying is a way to God while we pray to God every day so dying is a positive thing. So there are some Sufis who say that when we die, it's "harvest day." What we plant is only after we die, then we enjoy the results. So the harvest day should be something to be happy about, not something to be avoided. Death is like graduation, it's the moment you've been waiting for. We as Muslims who both have faith and know the map of going home and dying should be viewed as a positive thing.
Imagine if humans didn't die, what would they want, in fact, those who are old enough to be more than a hundred years old, want to die immediately because they feel tormented by their bodies that are not strong and strong, making them not have any desire. Therefore, I invite the readers to always prepare themselves and do good deeds when we come home at any time. Death is not something to be feared and avoided because nothing can escape its grip, so the only way is to make peace with death.
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What If Heaven Didn't Exist?
Heaven? a place? Where is it?
What if heaven never existed? And just a myth? Some religious teachings teach the belief in the existence of heaven as a result later if we do everything that is in their teachings. So far, not many can say that has proven its existence. Several testimonies tell of their experiences when they were in a near-death experience. Some are only a few minutes, but some are hours.
From their stories some things are similar, among others:
They see their physical body from outside their body
The lightness that arises when they can break through all physical limitations including time
The difference in the comparison of time between the human realm and the spirit realm
A very bright light that enveloped them
A passage that must be passed to get to the light, sometimes in the form of stairs, can be a bridge like a rainbow
'Someone' or someone who meets depending on the beliefs held, there are those who meet Buddha, angels, or Jesus
Feeling calm, peaceful, and not wanting to return to the physical body because it is more comfortable and happy there
Travel around different parts of the world
They were asked to return because their work on earth has not been completed
More understanding of the deeper meaning of life because it is explained according to each capacity
From the stories that exist about heaven on average, it can be concluded that we as humans are here only temporarily. There are missions assigned to us to complete before we are asked to return to our original homes. In the process, of course, some have succeeded in carrying out their duties and some have failed as well. Those who succeed can return home and get another assignment, or stay home for a while with another task.
The problem is that many of us don't even know what our task in this world is, and without that knowledge how can we do it well. Most of us do not find out specifically what our duties are on this earth so that we live simply without understanding the main purpose of our existence on earth. Wouldn't it be nice if we understood each other's duties so that we could find the best, fastest, most efficient way to carry it out?
To whom should we ask our duty on Earth? Shamans, doctors, lecturers, psychics, motivators, notaries, presidents, environmental heads, tax consultants, psychologists, or who??
The most correct is probably to the conscience of each of us. Because it is this conscience that connects us to the Creator. Try to take a day to examine our lives so far. Sort by when we were under 5 years old. What catches our attention every time. Are there things that seem easy for us to do while others have a lot of difficulties doing them?
The current school system makes more of uniformity of abilities so that we lose our natural abilities. And with the many distractions of science being taught, very often we are trapped in learning more about something that is not our element. As a result, in the long run, we fall into something that limits our creativity more than optimizes our true abilities.
So again, if heaven doesn't exist, then where will we go after death picks us up and we leave this physical body? Where will our souls return to? Is there a new home for him, a new place to live? Or just return to one with the source of the Spirit of the Creator. If heaven didn't exist what would you do now? A basic reflection that is very important to digest, but is often neglected due to human routines that are stuck with their physical needs.
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Who is the Human in the Face of Death?
When I was still in high school, I was once asked by my grandmother: *Yu, what is close to human life?* At that time I was confused about what to answer. I chose silence. She also answered her question, saying: "*The closest to human life is death*". Then I asked: "Why death?" She explained simply that death is something that is not expected to come. She analogized death as a thief. At that time I just said yes and the conversation ended with a short piece of advice from my grandmother: "*Use a short life for something 'useful'.*"
Lately, when reading in newspapers or online media, watching the news on television or on Youtube, or hearing stories from people closest to me at this time about victims who were exposed and died due to the Covid-19 pandemic, or the calamities that hit some European countries (Netherlands, Germany, Austria) due to bad weather, the question that once escaped from my grandmother's lips, came back and I was called to reflect on who humans are in the face of death. To me, this is an enigma worth pondering.
Of course, many of us have contemplated death. However, many of us choose not to think about it. Is death something scary? Maybe. Why? The simple reason that can be given may be that humans are comfortable with their current world, namely, humans gather with their family members, with the possessions they have or the air they breathe freely from Nature to support their lives, and so on. Or the terrible reason is to imagine what **Bertrand Russell** (1872-1970) imagined about death that "*I will rot and nothing of me can survive. That means I met nothingness.*”
Humans who are born into the world will certainly experience what is called death. Death is an inevitable certainty of human life. No matter how tough, no matter how hard a human refuses to die, they will die in the end. It should be realized that today's technological advances cannot deny death. Death does not recognize the dichotomy of rich-poor, smart-stupid, diligent-lazy, beautiful-ugly, black-and-white, healthy-sick, normal-disabled, and so on. When death picks up humans, it is the moment when death says: "*hi humans, now I have come to pick you up!*".
The world that was originally "noisy" because it was struggling in time and space suddenly turned into "silent". So it is fitting that **Arthur Schopenhauer** (1788-1860) in his book "*On the suffering of the world*" said that "*One of the torments that interfere with our existence is the constant pressure of time and never allows us to take a breath but always chasing us like a foreman with a whip. He no longer torments us if he has sent us into 'boredness' (read: death).*” When death comes at that moment the chain of time for humans to have fun in the world is broken.
What, then, can be concluded from the above description of man before death?
First, humans are fragile creatures. It is said to be a fragile human because when humans are faced with death, humans who glorify their intellect, worship their beauty or handsomeness, admire their sexy or muscular posture, etc., are analogous to flowers that are fresh in the morning and withered in the afternoon. In short, it can be said that Death is the weak point that makes humans fragile amid the exalted 'gold'.
Second, humans are helpless creatures. Helplessness here refers to the human inability to resist death. When humans are faced with death, humans can only say yes. Or in other words, humans can only surrender. It's like a servant who always says to his master: "Yes, I'm coming!".
Third, humans are finite creatures. I am reminded of the words of a scholar in the Sermon who said that "everything has its time!". This is to show that humans live in a world there are limits. This is in line with what is conveyed by a religious holy book that the limit of human life is 70 years or 80 if it is strong. Limited shows the temporary human being and human imperfection.
Remembering who humans (we are) in the face of death, doesn't mean we can't do something "great". It is precisely in this transience and imperfection that we fill that short time with various kinds of activities that support our way of existence in space and time. Life is a way How? The way is simple, which is to live life with life that animates it. Example: doing small things with great love.
So, enjoy your temporary life. Keep moving. Don't be afraid to move while contemplating death until finally, Death comes to pick you up. Hope you think about it.
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The wheel won't turn if we don't pull it
**The wheel won't turn as long as we don't push or pull it**. That's what an elderly farmer said when resting on the side of a smooth paved road but an incline of about 30 degrees along 4 km. It's quite tiring especially using an old old bicycle that has never been cared for other than just riding it to go to the fields, fields, or markets.
Heavy or light responsibility depends on the stubbornness of the heart. If complaining will be heavy, accepting it gladly will certainly make you happy. This phrase is often used by my grandfather when I had to go through life.
The wheel of life must turn by pulling or pushing it. If we stand still, the wheel will stop. If we do not want to work then fortune will not come. No matter how we work to get abundance. As long as you are honest and passionate, it will certainly bring blessings.
This time we may feel at the top and the road is smooth and uphill and hot. Maybe tomorrow we will pass the cobbled streets of the shady countryside but feel so hard. Or the day after tomorrow on muddy roads but chilly. Life must be lived with passion.
Philosophy in Religious Context
We need to know that humans are creatures of God who can stand alone as individuals in society. Unlike the case with other God's creatures, humans can think through their feelings and desires.
As God's creatures who can think, humans will look for the truths in their lives to solve all the problems they face, for example, social and religious problems. However, the ultimate truth is very difficult to obtain, because the truth is usually known through rationalism and empiricism, even the truth can also be expressed through philosophical thinking.
What is this philosophical way of thinking? For us to know it, we must know what philosophy is.
Philosophy is a science to understand various problems that arise within the scope of human experience. With this, humans need philosophy, to answer the problems that arise in every aspect of human life, for example, the problem of life in the field of education. The results of philosophical thought are usually systematic, comprehensive, and fundamental. In solving it, philosophy uses the scientific, objective method, which provides accountability based on human reason.
After knowing philosophy, how is philosophy related in the context of religion? Well, we will discuss more it.
In history, philosophy has functioned as a means of justifying religious teachings. Talking about religion, of course, cannot be separated from moral and religious values. Philosophy can explain things that need a deeper interpretation of Religion. However, philosophy is considered contrary to the teachings of Religion and is often seen as thinking that confuses and misleads humans.
This view is very unfortunate, because philosophy is very important for human life, especially in solving various problems in humans. Philosophy in general is to think thoroughly, deeply, radically and rationally, about something as a process of searching for a truth continuously and being able to understand the meaning of everything that exists.
In the current era, people's lives have progressed a lot with the rapid development of science. The development of science has created various kinds of advanced technology, for example in the field of communication. Such progress seems to change the world to be unlimited and global. However, these values are considered unimportant in life. Thus, there is a need for a thorough study of the very important philosophy of moral values in religion.
A philosophical approach is needed because it aims to understand the nature of morals and religion so that they can function totally and comprehensively. So that these values can be applied in today's society. Thus, philosophy can minimize attitudes between individuals that are not by moral and religious values so that they can apply these values in their lives.
People's lives ignore moral and religious values and consider values that are useless or meaningless because they are only considered personal problems, and the hereafter, occur because they only consider the value of material luxury in this world. Everything that is material is used as a benchmark for everything, which leads people to be indifferent to moral and religious values because they are worldly. This view shows that advances in science and technology change human behavior into thinking about worldly affairs that have nothing to do with religion.
Therefore, philosophy must play a role in studying morals and religion for the life of today's society. Because it is also argued that Islam is considered a religion that can save mankind from misbehavior that occurs because Islam emphasizes morality so that it can cultivate noble character so that it can increase interaction between fellow humans and the natural environment.
Morality is a set of rules that govern the good and bad of human behavior. Therefore, morality is not just speech, but an important value in human life. Morality is also sourced from the Qur'an and the Hadith of the Prophet, which covers all aspects of human life. In general, all humans want goodness and good morality.
Goodness and because is highly emphasized in Islam to be able to live a life full of peace and happiness both individually and in society as a whole. Thus the goodness can be beneficial for ourselves and the whole society at large. Therefore, humans are one with another is a unity that can not be separated.
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Philosophy in Building Critical Thinking in the Era of the Industrial Revolution 4.0
Philosophy in terms is a science where logic, methods, and systems will be used to study general to basic problems regarding various kinds of problems. Thus, **philosophy** is considered capable of playing a role in fostering critical thinking skills.
Before we discuss Philosophy in Building Critical Thinking in the Era of the **Industrial Revolution 4.0**, we must understand what critical thinking is.
Critical thinking or critical thinking is a person's ability to think clearly and rationally, which includes a person's ability to think more reflectively and independently in analyzing a fact, organizing ideas, evaluating an argument, defending an opinion, making comparisons, drawing conclusions, and solving a problem. problem. Critical thinking is also a universal skill because it can improve verbal and analytical skills as well as self-reflection.
The Industrial Revolution 4.0 is an industrial revolution in the field of information technology. This industrial revolution started in England which gave rise to several technologies such as telecommunications, transportation, and machinery. Developments in this era bring a lot of changes that exist in various aspects of life which include various sophistication of science and technology. This industrial era is marked by the emergence of various online (digital) businesses. Technology is growing rapidly and innovation is becoming competitive in the market. Because in this industrial revolution era, various obstacles arise in terms of the gap between industries that depend on innovation and workforce readiness, because the workforce needed for industry 4.0 is expected to have the ability in the field of **technology**.
In addition to developments in the field of technology, this industrial revolution also fosters knowledge that is useful for humans. One example of knowledge is Skill (self-strength). Because the industrial revolution 4.0 is an era that emphasizes patterns, artificial intelligence, digital economy, big data, and robotics.
As the industrial revolution 4.0 goes on, skill development (self-strength) is one of the abilities that is needed by every human being, especially the younger generation. One of the things that can be done as a start in starting self-skill development is to integrate abilities such as Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Language Skills in the field of education for both students and students. Critical Thinking is one of the skills that humans have in thinking critically about a problem. Problem Solving is one of the human abilities in overcoming or solving problems in the surrounding environment and Language Skill is one of the human abilities in national and foreign languages by the rules used in communicating with others and when public speaking.
Ability in *Critical Thinking*, Problem Solving, and Language Skill is one of the soft skills components that are needed today because their existence is very important for human life. For example, language skills can help humans communicate with foreigners because the world is now more open without boundaries or what we usually call globalization. Furthermore, Critical Thinking or critical thinking can help humans to analyze various problems from various aspects of life. Because Critical Thinking will bring up a variety of creative and innovative thinking. In addition, problem-solving is also very important in helping humans overcome various problems in life due to technological developments that bring certain problems. Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Language Skills must be integrated into the education curriculum in Indonesia to be able to promote the Industrial Revolution Era 4.0.
Humans in fulfilling their needs and desires cannot be separated from the influence of their soul so that they need critical thinking to make it happen and not get caught up in their greed. **Ibn Sina** once said that human nature depends on the human soul which affects itself. No human does not want to live in happiness, but it is not easy to achieve it. Therefore, critical and deeper thinking is one way to achieve it, because critical thinking will be able to reach the truth. So that you will not be fooled in life in this world.
Critical thinking or critical thinking is a process of human activity that is very positive, emotive, and rational whose manifestations vary according to the context. Philosophy in essence not only teaches humans to think critically but also to think more deeply (radically). Rationalism and empiricism are examples of two schools that teach people to think critically. Cogito is one method that can be used to build people in critical thinking that starts from doubt to certainty. Critical thinking or critical thinking needs to be trained and built as early as possible to increase creativity and reasoning power. Thus, in realizing this, philosophy plays an important role in building critical thinking in this era of industrial revolution 4.0.
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Thinking in the World and For the World
The world is real, we can't deny it. The world is made up of many things. Something is said to be real if it can be sensed and has an effect or impact. So, we need to be aware of our existence in this world while thinking. We must have sensitivity. Because we are part of this world and facing this world when we think we must also take into account the reality of this world.
Thinking in this World means we realize that our thoughts will be confronted with reality or tested in front of reality, there will be an effect or impact as far as the thinker and others who believe in it and guide their actions in the World. That is why thinking also demands responsibility.
Critical thinking is thinking carefully, thoroughly, clearly, and rationally. Critical thinking is not to put someone down or find fault with someone. But by thinking critically we can find the best solution to a problem, can explain something that is still in doubt or there is no clarity. Because critical thinking includes the ability to recognize problems more sharply, find ways that can be done to overcome these problems, gather relevant information, recognize assumptions and values that lie behind beliefs, knowledge, and conclusions.
Critical thinking includes the ability to understand and use language accurately, clearly, and discriminatory (that is, to see and make clear distinctions about each meaning), the ability to interpret data, assess evidence and arguments, recognize the presence or absence of a logical relationship between one assumption to another.
A person who thinks critically will review whether the beliefs and knowledge that are owned or put forward by others are logical or not. Likewise, a person who thinks critically will not just swallow the conclusions or hypotheses put forward by himself or others. A critical thinker has the following characteristics:
To raise important questions and problems, formulate them clearly and thoroughly.
Generate new ideas that are useful and relevant to perform the task. Critical thinking has an important role in assessing the merits of new ideas, selecting the best ideas, or modifying ideas if necessary.
Collect and assess relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively.
Draw conclusions and solutions with strong reasons, strong evidence, and test them using relevant criteria and standards.
Think openly by using various alternative systems of thought, while recognizing, assessing, and looking for relationships between all assumptions, implications, practical consequences.
Able to overcome confusion, able to distinguish between facts, theories, opinions, and beliefs
One important way to develop the qualities of critical thinking is to learn the art of postponing definitive conclusions. The trick is to apply a perceptual orientation rather than concluding too early.
For example, when reading a novel, watching a movie, participating in a discussion or dialogue, avoid the tendency to judge or draw fixed conclusions. In thinking, we will coexist with science because science is a continuation of our daily lives. There are several reasons why science exists, including:
Humans and their capacities, both sensory and non-sensory. (On Planet Mars there is no science and culture because there are no humans)
Reality objects of the World
Something in the World (water, soil, trees, monkeys, humans, earth, galaxies, language, etc.).
World events (demonstration events, fires, accidents, etc.).
The limitations of self and the needs of human life.
Humans depend on realities outside themselves, for example, to meet their needs.
Humans have a curiosity about the mysteries of the universe.
Humans are endowed with potential and capacity, not all human capacities develop either into capacities and then into capabilities. Environment and context (social and natural) are very influential. There is an environment that hinders or vice versa, there is one that allows the growth and development of this potential.
Science helps us to know ourselves. Those who know themselves will recognize the potential, capacities, and strengths that are bestowed upon us. Who is not able to control himself, will be controlled by a condition (achievement, title, position, political ideology, or philosophical ideology, etc.) that might make us fall (Forget ourselves).
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Women and Their Shouts in Gender Equality
"**Gender Equality**" is a word often echoed by social activists and other women. The awareness of women is increasing that they demand the same rights as men. Gender equality is our right as human beings, the right to live honorably and freely in making life choices that are not only intended for men. Moreover, there is a pattern of thinking that the role of women is only limited to working in the kitchen, wells, taking care of the family and children so that in the end things outside of that become unimportant.
**Indonesia** has enacted various laws to protect women from physical violence. However, it can still be found that almost 25% of ever-married women agree that the husband is justified in hitting his wife for one of the reasons: the wife refuses to have sex with her husband.
trafficking and prostitution are also a threat to women in Indonesia, especially those who are poor, and lack education, and sexual harassment is considered a crime but is considered a common thing that is often found in everyday life. The Indonesian Ministry of Health in 2004 found that 90% of women had experienced some form of sexual harassment in the workplace.
Indonesia's civil law stipulates that men and women have the same property rights, just as women have the legal right to access property, land, and bank loans.
To increase women's awareness of gender equality and educate women workers about their rights as women workers, it is hoped that women can be more motivated in defending their rights in a balance between career and family. Gender equality does not have to be the same rights and obligations without further consideration. It's a shame when women shout about the issue of gender equality if we mean that everything has to be the same as men.
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What is Beauty?
Anyone who thinks about **beauty** should turn to the *philosopher* **Immanuel Kant**, in particular, his Critique of Practical Reason. According to Kant, beauty is not an objective property of things, but how certain things appear to us. But not everything we like is beautiful.
Kant believed "pleasure" should be "disinterested": if we like roses because they are a gift from a loved one, or find someone's appearance attractive because we want them to, then interest is involved. Beauty is a "purpose without purpose": beauty does not fulfill an external purpose, but forms a coherent and harmonious whole that cannot be added or removed.
When designating something as "beautiful," Kant argues, it claims general validity. We pretend that beauty is an objective property of everything and argue about aesthetic issues.
But can aesthetic judgments be justified at all? Kant and many philosophers after him thought so. However, not by concluding aesthetic principles, but through concrete references and comparisons: Isn't that looking at the picture hanging too low? Looks like it's about to fall. Through such comparisons, show the interlocutor a new perspective and let him see objects as we see them for ourselves. As a rule, he would then be able to understand the judgment. But not always. His tastes are known to be different. Or are there things that everyone likes?
Almost everyone likes a youthful and symmetrical body, a savanna-like landscape, broad shoulders and prominent lower jaw in men, and a waist-to-hip ratio in women that is less than 0.75. According to evolutionary psychologists, these aesthetic preferences are innate and a product of evolution. Take the savanna landscape: Our ancestors survived, according to evolutionary psychology, because they found beautiful landscapes suitable for survival, which offered protection, water, food, and hunting opportunities - just like the savanna. And why find symmetrical and attractive young people?
From a biological point of view, asymmetry is an indicator of disease and a deficit of biological fitness. And old age prevents procreation. So if you think old or asymmetrical bodies are beautiful, your genes will die more easily: Either you don't have offspring or are less suited for survival. People are always trying to trace the laws of beauty. Symmetry is a top favorite for a long time. Then there is variety, complexity, and intensity, then the laws of Gestalt and more recently the "Ten Commandments of Beauty" by Indian neurologist **Vilayanur Ramachandran**.
Vilayanur Subramanian Ramachandran is a neuroscientist known for his work in behavioral neurology and psychophysics. Vilayanur Ramachandran scientifically investigated the laws of human taste and claimed that ten factors underlie our tastes. Aesthetic preferences are based on: exaggeration (with intense color or caricature), a grouping of objects, contrast, isolation, (solving puzzles when interpreting images), symmetry, perspective, repetition, balance, and metaphor. In addition to these decals, there are of course individual preferences: some prefer ornament, others prefer simple.
Contrary to these theories, sociology rightly emphasizes that in terms of taste, the differences between people are far greater than their similarities. Taste is a product of upbringing and habit. Just remember hairstyles from the 80s. Moreover, according to the sociologist Pierre Bourdieu, taste always has a social function: classical music lovers join certain groups and distinguish themselves from others.
Some philosophers and design theorists have tried to solve the mystery of beauty differently. They assume our ideals of life are reflected in our aesthetic preferences. Whether it's a novel, a picture, a piece of music, a film, a building, a car, or a leather jacket - the following always applies: what we like is like someone we like. The novels are versatile, the pictures are passionate, the music is melancholic, the films are immersive, the buildings are simple, the cars are serious and the leather jackets embody power.
According to this theory, liking an object if it embodies the character traits and states of mind that are valued in people. The philosopher **Alain de Botton** was a proponent of this view, but Plato and GWF Hegel agree with it. The aesthetic is a symbol of an alluring lifestyle - the condensation of life as we want it to be. Or as it is said: "Beauty is the promise of happiness".
It is impossible to find an a priori [general logic] relationship between a feeling of pleasure or displeasure as a result and any idea, sensation, or concept as a cause. This relationship will be a causal relationship which, among the objects of experience, can only be recognized posteriorly [empirical facts] through experience.
True, Immanuel Kant in his Critique of Practical Reason specifically modified respect, which does not want to agree with the pleasure or displeasure of empirical objects, is derived a priori from general moral concepts.
There it can cross the boundaries of experience and give rise to causality based on a very reasonable subject quality, namely the causality of freedom. But even there we don't guide the feeling but only the volitional determination of the moral idea as the cause.
The state of mind of a will determined by something itself is a feeling of pleasure and therefore does not follow as a result of this feeling. This will only be accepted if the moral concept of goodness precedes the determination of the will through law. Then one will in vain derive pleasure which will be attributed to the concept of it as mere knowledge.
It is also associated with pleasure in aesthetic judgment. Only it is purely contemplative without generating interest in the object, whereas it is practical in moral judgment.
Consciousness in the idea of purely formal utility in the play of the cognitive powers of the subject through which an object is rendered is pleasure itself. This awareness contains determinants of the subject's activity about the stimulation of the power of knowledge. It, therefore, contains inner causality, purpose given knowledge in general. However, it is not limited to specialized knowledge and is therefore only a form of subjective usefulness of an idea in aesthetic judgment.
These pleasures are by no means practical, either like the pleasures of the pathological basis of comfort or the intellectual basis of the imagined good. But there must be causality itself, i.e. causality without intention, the conditions for the presentation and use of accepted cognitive powers. And abides in beautiful contemplation because this contemplation strengthens and reproduces itself. While not the same, it is analogous to lingering in which the stimulus in the passive mind repeatedly evokes attention in the object's imagination.
A review of the novel The Stranger by Albert Camus
**Albert Camus** is a writer who is categorized as a *philosopher* of *existentialism*. I mostly read Camus, because I was attracted to the idea that the world is *absurd*, which doesn't need to be taken too seriously, I agreed that I read his book, "**The Stranger**", for some reason I felt disgusted.
To be honest, Camus' writing style and novels are generally excellent, as literature. but his idea of hating **God**, which was exemplified by **Mersault** (the main character) made me not understand.
Some of the novels do show how gray life is. yes, some people or even everyone experiences the same thing as Meursault, for example, sometimes some good people become friends with bad people, and end up being "guilty" people. but some of what is written in stranger makes me angry and disgusted.
How flat and "empty" Mersault soul is and there is no effort or ambition in him to do anything, his boring static life, even though his relationship with his lover is fine, and he has few friends who are less than good in society. Maybe that's what made him say that life is all the same, a life not worth living. Because there is nothing that is the reason for living, there is nothing that he gives to others, although there is, in the end, it leads to the guillotine, very tragic.
Mersault allowed himself to be too free. The *freedom* that kept him imprisoned and the prison that made him imagine his freedom. Mersault as a person who has no grip on life, because every day he doesn't know what to do (and it's very sad because most of us often do: don't know what to do). Then why should he be angry with God?
Is it true that humans themselves have to change their fate but without a hand from God?
Not only the idea of God that he discusses, but in The Stranger he also highlights the paradoxical human life, both liking and hating an object, which is exemplified by his neighbor who torments dogs and then loses his dog and misses beating the dog he hates the most. absurd.
This book is not suitable for consumption for teenagers, even for adults (personally) it is a bit too "hard". the writing of the idea is too harsh, and well, because this is good literature, even though the idea is about disgusting (see the paradoxical effect of this existentialism sucks).
Without being pretentious, there can be no contradiction between man and God. However, humans are still creatures. If **Karl Marx** said that *religion is opium*, it is true, and it is good as long as it is done right.
Because of these various paradoxes, sometimes everything gets confused with one another, so a specific meaning of one thing turns out to be important. Overgeneralizing something without learning the basics will become chaotic.
So efforts to improve the human self are still carried out by themselves by continuing to move, study (specifications), interpret, and implement. It is not easy indeed, even nature and process take a lifetime.
Then, what do you think about the novel The Stranger by Albert Camus? Are you also angry with the character Mersault? Or do you agree with him?
Don't want to be a sadness generation
I do not know since when, the term sadness became so popular. Troubled is often identified with anxiety, sad and restlessness. Most young people use the term upset to denote feelings of anxiety, dissatisfaction, and uncertainty. The feeling of anxiety is generally manifested in the form of complaints.
Various social media provide a lot of space and flexibility for users to express what is on their mind, call it *Facebook*. In the slogan printed on the wall alone it says, **"what are you thinking about today"**. This encourages users (spontaneously) to write down what is on their mind.
Unfortunately, almost 90% of what most people think are complaints. Complaints can be in the form of anger, dissatisfaction, heartbreak, abuse, etc. Try checking the timeline (every minute) on your homepage. How many express their frustration compared to positive statements (useful information, etc.)?
In abnormal psychology **(Nevid, et al, 2007)** upset, dissatisfied, upset can be included in the category of anxiety disorders (anxiety disorder). Anxiety disorder is a disorder in which a person feels anxious for a long time and in a continuous period. Anxiety disorders are common things that are owned by everyone (everyone has their own problems) but if he is not able to handle the problem and takes place continuously (continuously) it will lead a person to a more severe disorder (depression).
Being sadness means complaining, giving up easily and being fragile. Wow, I can't imagine if anyone is proud to be a sadness generation.
Indeed, it is not necessarily what you write on Facebook reflects who you really are. And there is a little feeling of relief Writing a status on facebook about a problem (complaint) that has been thought about, but the problem will not be solved just because you write it on facebook / other social media. It's better to act a lot, than just dwell on facebook, or continue to wander on the timeline that (of course) can be seen by many people. Well!
Indeed (again), not complaining is difficult. I myself still often complain. Obviously, let's act. Do something. It's 2021, are you still sadness? Don't want to be a sadness generation. :D
**This post is made as a reminder for myself. Hopefully useful for others too*
Humans and the Meaning of Life
Throughout the history of human life, the question of the *meaning of life* will continue to roll. Who am I? What am I looking for? What am I there for? Several centuries ago philosophers have formulated various theories regarding the search for meaning in human life but none of them has a definite answer to this question.
MEANING OF LIFE IN EXISTENTIALIST PHILOSOPHY PERSPECTIVE
*Existentialist* philosophy is famous for the theory that existence precedes essence. That the existence or existence of something will precede the meaning in it. existentialist philosophers believe that the formation of humans is created because of the existence of a container/existence (human physical form) which then gives birth and develops thoughts so that the soul/essence is formed.
In the view of existentialism, meaning will be created through the thoughts that are raised by the physical system of the human body. so that the definitions made by humans will give birth to meanings in the environment and the surrounding world.
The search for human meaning is studied in existentialism, which states the existence of **God** and the function of God and its relationship to humans. But philosophers are not able to find or define the relationship between God and man in terms of the meaning of life. This makes them not choose to believe in the existence of God.
**Albert Camus** is one of the existentialist philosophers who expounded the *absurdity* theory of the meaning of life, explaining that one's life must be absurd. In this case, the life of someone who can "walk through" problems to become an authentic self. The authentic self is the real self, the self that can find meaning in life. Efforts to go beyond that by becoming a "rebel" against things that have been preventing individuals from becoming authentic selves. Be creative to achieve self-meaning. Reveal the veil or veil that exists within the individual. Being a rebel in life means being brave to accept and face the problems that exist. Often, the term rebel is misunderstood as a violation of norms.
MEANING OF LIFE FROM A RELIGIOUS PERSPECTIVE
In *religion*, Absolute submission to God is an obligation. Because God is **Causa Prima**. The cause of all effects. As the main source who created the heavens, the Earth and its contents. No one knows for sure the creation of humans by God to come down to earth. *Islam*, states that humans are required to worship Him as a form of obedience. The whole way of human life has been written by God in *Lahul Mahfudz* (the book that writes down the entire path of human life) where humans have had their way of life. So that humans as His creatures must obey all the commands that God has commanded. The commands that are written in the Koran have existed since the beginning of the creation of Man. All the rules of human life have been written clearly in them.
Humans as creatures who can think to study it and live it are then applied in everyday life. In Islam Efforts to appreciate, explore, and apply the teachings of his commandments to achieve the meaning of life are referred to as endeavors. In the effort itself, several indicators can support the achievement of meaning in life, namely patience and acceptance. Accept as a form of being ready to face what is (to be faced). In the end, Ikhlas is the pinnacle of patience and acceptance.
The search for the meaning of human life (human authenticity) starts from how far he can explore and realize God's commands. These efforts will foster a very close transcendent relationship between man and God and give birth to various awareness of the meaning of life. The meaning of life is found through the importance of accepting with submission and submission only to **Allah** (Tawhid). and believe in **Muhammad** as His messenger.
Humans are religious creatures. This is evident when in a state of the worst behavior and human thought that denies the existence of God, will always continue to mention the Name of God. Oh My God. An instinctive expression issued by humans that proves that God exists. Real.
Humans will never be separated from thinking about the search for the highest and most powerful power over what is in the heavens and the earth. Other powers cannot be reached with the finite human mind. Every time humans lose their direction, they tend to find out the source and main root of the problem to find a solution. In the end, from the bottom of his heart, he will return to his creator, God.
I found read cash from the facebook homepage
Hi, good afternoon.
Introducing, my name is Ayu Sukoco, I come from Southeast Asia and I am a student who has entered the 5th semester. I found the read cash platform from Facebook. When I opened the Facebook homepage, someone from my friend's list shared an article on their Facebook account and I opened it. I am interested in this platform and I want to try it.
I love philosophy and I like to read books about mind traces as well as history. I think philosophy is important because it helps us understand that things don't always appear as they are. Philosophy helps us understand ourselves and our world because it teaches how we grapple with fundamental questions. Philosophy makes us more critical.
Also, I often do zen meditation. I think Zen meditation is just as important as philosophy. Because the goal of Zen meditation is to make the mind free from distractions. Meditation is also recommended to help deal with the lack of focus on ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, depression, and other disorders that distract our minds.
It seems that I will be diligent in writing about philosophy and zen on this platform. Btw, in every article, I find $ at the bottom of the article. I don't know if someone will pay $ by writing articles or not. but that's not my goal. I came here because I was interested in this platform. thank you
@ayueee98
