AN OVERVIEW OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHY, RESEARCH PARADIGMS, AND THE ISLAMIZATION OF KNOWLEDGE

Abstract

This study seeks to resolve a dilemma. Muslim students doing PhDs in management need to complete their thesis without contradicting their faith. Choosing the right paradigm is crucial. This study uses a literature review approach combined with feedback from a focus group of six PhD students. It presents an overview of Western philosophy. This overview provides the background to better understand the three main research paradigms: positivism, interpretivism, and critical realism. This is followed by the Islamic perspective of the Western narrative. Despite its popularity, positivism rejects religion and morality. It is therefore anti-Islamic. By contrast, critical realism seems to fit both the need for moral values and empirical research. It is not perfect though as the Islamic worldview is to prepare human beings for the Day of Judgment.