A Comparative Study of Piaget's Formal Stage of Cognitive Development with the Process of Transcendence and Soul Levels in Islamic Teachings

Abstract

Introduction and Aim: One of the important characteristics of a human being is his cognitive abilities, especially cognitive development. Therefore, the present research was conducted with the aim of comparative study of Piaget's formal stage of cognitive development with the process of transcendence and soul levels in Islamic teachings.

Methodology: This study was a comparative-analytical. The population of the present research was all documents related to Piaget's cognitive development and process of transcendence and soul levels in Islamic teachings, and all relevant sources were selected as samples. The data of this study were collected by note-taking from documents and analyzed by comparative method.

Findings: The results of the present research showed that according to Piaget, achieving to formal thinking requires passing through the objective stage and reaching a certain age, and according to Islamic teachings, achieving to formal thinking is a valuable and necessary cognitive prerequisite for walking the path of transcendence and soul levels. Although there are similarities between the two approaches in terms of cognitive tools and introductions, but there were deep gaps in their anthropological foundations, goals, and methods. According to Piaget's theory, development is a natural and evolutionary process which its goal is to achieve rationality and efficient adaptation, but according to Islamic teachings, development is a general, selective, continuous, practical, and conscious process in the light of Sharia, which its goal is divine proximity, heartfelt confidence, God’s morality.

Conclusion: The results of this research indicate fundamental differences between formal thinking from Piaget's and Islamic teachings perspective, and according to Islamic teachings (not Piaget) having formal thinking is a necessary condition for achieving transcendence and soul levels, but it is not a sufficient condition.