The Epistemology of Kashf in Al-Ghazali's Philosophy and Its Relevance to Modern Cognitive Science

Nasrul Umam; Imam Taqiyyuddin Assubky; Arya Ivan Fuadi

Nasrul Umam Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Al Ghazali Cilacap
Imam Taqiyyuddin Assubky Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Al Ghazali Cilacap
Arya Ivan Fuadi Universitas Al-Ahgaff

Keywords: Al-Ghazali, kashf, Islamic epistemology, cognitive science, consciousness

Abstract

This study examines the epistemology of kashf in al-Ghazali's philosophy and its relevance to modern cognitive science. The increasing scholarly interest in intuition, consciousness, and non-analytical cognitive processes has created new opportunities for interdisciplinary dialogue between Islamic philosophy and contemporary cognitive science. However, studies integrating al-Ghazali's concept of kashf with modern cognitive theories remain limited. This study aims to analyze the epistemological foundations of kashf, examine contemporary theories of intuition and consciousness, and explore their conceptual relevance. Employing a library research method with a comparative philosophical analysis, this study adopts the approaches of Islamic philosophy, Sufism, and cognitive science. Data were collected through documentation of primary sources, including Al-Munqidh min al-Dalal, Ihya' 'Ulum al-Din, and Mishkat al-Anwar, as well as contemporary scholarly literature. The findings reveal that al-Ghazali's epistemology recognizes kashf as a form of supra-rational knowledge attained through spiritual purification and Divine illumination, complementing sensory perception and rational reasoning. Meanwhile, modern cognitive science explains intuition, consciousness, and metacognition as cognitive mechanisms underlying non-analytical knowledge acquisition. Although both perspectives differ in their ontological and methodological foundations, they converge in acknowledging the significance of intuitive knowledge. This study proposes an Integrative Epistemological Dialogue Model, demonstrating that al-Ghazali's epistemology and modern cognitive science provide complementary perspectives for understanding holistic human knowledge. The study contributes to strengthening interdisciplinary dialogue between Islamic philosophy and contemporary cognitive science.

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