Difference between revisions of "Indonesian philosophy" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
(New page: '''Indonesian philosophy''' is generic designation for tradition of abstract speculation held by the people who inhabit the region now known as Indonesia. Indonesian philosophy is exp...)
 
Line 1: Line 1:
  
'''Indonesian philosophy''' is generic designation for tradition of abstract speculation held by the people who inhabit the region now known as [[Indonesia]]. Indonesian philosophy is expressed in living languages found in Indonesia (approximately 587 languages) and its national language [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], comprising many diverse schools of thought receiving influences of Eastern and Western origins, besides its indigenous, original philosophical theme.
+
'''Indonesian philosophy''' is a generic designation for the traditions of abstract speculation among the people who inhabit the region now known as [[Indonesia]]. Indonesian philosophy comprises many diverse schools of thought, including indigenous beliefs and the Eastern and Western philosophical traditions that have influenced Indonesia throughout its history.
  
The term ''Indonesian philosophy'' originates from a title of book written by [[M. Nasroen]],<ref>Professor emeritus, of Philosophy at [[Universitas Indonesia]]</ref> in which he traced philosophical elements found in Indonesian culture. Since then, the term has been popular and inspired many later writers like Sunoto, Parmono, and Jakob Sumardjo. Sunoto began the nation's first philosophy department at [[Universitas Gajah Mada]] in [[Yogyakarta]].
+
Ethnic Indonesian philosophy is expressed in the approximately 587 living languages found in Indonesia and its national language [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], embodied in mythology, legends, folklore, the ways in which an ethnic group builds its houses and holds its ceremonies, the literature and the epics of ethnic groups. ''Adat,'' the custom which regulates the entire life of the community, is viewed by some as a social expression of the community religion, because it is dominated by spirits and supernatural powers. Adat includes '' [[pepatah]],'' [[proverb]]s or [[saying]]s that guide and instruct every member of a particular ethnic group to behave well towards others in the community. Ethnic creation myths describe how human beings were made from the materials left over when the universe and sky were created, and are therefore microcosms of the universe and subordinate to nature.  
  
Sunoto, Parmona, and Sumardjo defined the word ''Indonesian philosophy'' differently. Without clearly defining the word, M. Nasroen argued that Indonesian philosophy was neither Western nor Eastern. He pointed to core Indonesian concepts and practices such as ''mupakat, pantun-pantun, [[Pancasila (politics)|Pancasila]], hukum [[adat]], [[gotong-royong]]'', and ''kekeluargaan'' (Nasroen 1967:14, 24, 25, 33, and 38). Sunoto (1987:ii) too, embraced a culturalist notion of Indonesian philosophy, calling it "the cultural richness of our own nation…contained in our own culture." Similarly, Parmono defined it as "thought or reflections…which are bound in" adat "as well as ethnic culture" (Parmono 1985:iii). Sumardjo wrote that the "philosophy of Indonesian people has never been conceived of. Their philosophical conceptions must be sought after and found out of what they have done. "  He added, "Indonesian philosophy lies in their daily-life behavior and factual result of their activities. Philosophy of Indonesian people lies within their ''pepatah-petitih, adat ''houses'', adat ''ceremonies and rites, old myths, in their dress ornaments, their dances, the music they play, in their weapons, their social system, and so on" (Sumardjo 2003:113).  
+
[[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]] were introduced to indigenous Indonesians by Chinese migrants between 1122-222 B.C.E. <ref> J. Larope, IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies), Surabaya , Penerbit Palapa , 1986:4</ref> and mingled with ethnic beliefs, so that they could no longer be distinguished. <ref>SarDesai 1989:9-13</ref>. [[Hindu]] Brahmans and Buddhists of Indian origin arrived in Indonesia between 322 B.C.E.-700 C.E., and brought with them [[Tantrayana]]. Persian [[Sufism]] began to enter native philosophical discourse in the early 1400’s; its spread was encouraged by the founding of massive Islamic [[monarchy|kingdoms]] and [[sultanate]]s in Indonesia. European traders introduced Catholicism in the 15th century, followed by the Dutch with Calvinism at the end of the 16th century. In the early 1900’s, the Dutch colonial government opened Dutch-style educational institutions for children of the aristocracy who wanted to work in colonial institutions. Many alumni of these schools continued their studies at European universities, and emerged as the first generation of a European-style [[intelligentsia]] advocating Western philosophy. During the post-colonial period, many Indonesians turned to communism and social democracy in a search for a solution to social problems and disharmony among different religious and ethnic groups.  
  
The writers above understand Indonesian philosophy as a part of [[culture]] and do not contrast philosophy to [[cultural studies]] and [[anthropology]]. The Indonesian language initially had no word for philosophy as an entity separated from [[theology]], art, and [[science]].<ref>Whether or not any of the other [[Languages of Indonesia|several hundred local languages]] possess the an abstract idea of philosophy has not yet been established.</ref> Instead, Indonesians have a generic word, that is, ''budaya'' or ''kebudayaan'', which includes a totality of the manifestations of the life of a society. Philosophy, science, theology, [[religion]], [[art]] and [[technology]] are at once manifestations of a society’s life, which are included in the meaning of the word ''budaya''. Indonesians usually use word ''budayawan'' to call their [[philosophers]] (Alisjahbana 1977:6-7). Accordingly, to them, the scope of Indonesian philosophy only comprised those original notions of Indonesian cultural richness. This is understood by  Ferry Hidayat,<ref>Lecturer at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional 'Veteran' Jakarta, see also [[User:FHidayat]]</ref> as "the poverty of the scope." If Indonesian philosophy only comprised those original ethnic philosophies, it would be very poor philosophy. Like other scholars, Ferry widens the scope of Indonesian philosophy so as to include the adapted and "indigenized" philosophy receiving influences of foreign philosophical traditions. This article employs the latter definition.
+
==Definition of Indonesian philosophy==
 +
The term ''Indonesian philosophy'' originates from a title of book written by [[M. Nasroen]],<ref>Professor emeritus, of Philosophy at [[Universitas Indonesia]]</ref> in which he traced philosophical elements found in Indonesian culture. Since then, the term has become popular and has inspired later Indonesian writers such as Parmono, Jakob Sumardjo, and Sunoto, who established the nation's first philosophy department at [[Universitas Gajah Mada]] in [[Yogyakarta]]. 
 +
 
 +
Sunoto, Parmona, and Sumardjo defined the word ''Indonesian philosophy'' differently. Without clearly defining the word, M. Nasroen argued that Indonesian philosophy was neither Western nor Eastern.  He pointed to core Indonesian concepts and practices such as ''mupakat, pantun-pantun, [[Pancasila (politics)|Pancasila]], hukum [[adat]], [[gotong-royong]]'', and ''kekeluargaan'' <ref>M. Nasroen, Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy), Jakarta, Penerbit Bulan Bintang, 1967 :14, 24, 25, 33, and 38</ref>. Sunoto <ref>Sunoto, Menuju Filsafat Indonesia (Towards Indonesian Philosophy), Yogyakarta, Hanindita Offset, 1987:ii</ref> too, embraced a culturalist notion of Indonesian philosophy, calling it "the cultural richness of our own nation…contained in our own culture." Parmono defined it as "thought or reflections…which are bound in" adat "as well as ethnic culture" <ref> R. Parmono, Menggali Unsur-Unsur Filsafat Indonesia (Digging up Elements of Indonesian Philosophy), Yogyakarta, Andi Offset, 1985:iii</ref>. Sumardjo wrote that the "philosophy of Indonesian people has never been conceived of. Their philosophical conceptions must be sought after and found out of what they have done."  He added, "Indonesian philosophy lies in their daily-life behavior and factual result of their activities. Philosophy of Indonesian people lies within their ''pepatah-petitih, adat ''houses'', adat ''ceremonies and rites, old myths, in their dress ornaments, their dances, the music they play, in their weapons, their social system, and so on" <ref> Jakob Sumardjo, Mencari Sukma Indonesia (Seeking The Indonesian Soul), Yogyakarta, AK Group, 2003:113</ref>.
 +
 
 +
These writers understood Indonesian philosophy as an aspect of [[culture]] and did not attempt to separate philosophy from [[cultural studies]] and [[anthropology]]. The Indonesian language initially had no word for philosophy as a discipline distinct from [[theology]], art, and [[science]].<ref>Whether or not any of the other [[Languages of Indonesia|several hundred local languages]] possess an abstract concept of philosophy has not yet been established.</ref> Instead, Indonesians use a generic word, ''budaya'' or ''kebudayaan'', which encompasses all of the manifestations of the life of a society, including philosophy, science, theology, [[religion]], [[art]] and [[technology]]. Indonesians commonly refer to their philosophers as ''budayawan'' <ref> S. Takdir  Alisjahbana, Indonesia in The Modern World,translated into English by Benedict R. Anderson, New Delhi, Prabhakar Padhye, 1961, 1977:6-7)</ref>.  
 +
 
 +
This concept confines the scope of Indonesian philosophy only to those original notions of Indonesian cultural richness. Ferry Hidayat,<ref>Lecturer at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional 'Veteran' Jakarta</ref> widens the scope of Indonesian philosophy to include the adapted and "indigenized" philosophies  influenced by foreign philosophical traditions.  
  
 
==Schools of thought==
 
==Schools of thought==
There are seven schools of thought developing in Indonesia.<ref>Ferry Hidayat, ''Pengantar Menuju Filsafat Indonesia'', 2005, unpublished paper.</ref> The categorization of schools is first based on the originality that a certain school contains (like "ethnic school"), secondly based on the influence of great world philosophies that a particular school absorbs and adapts to Indonesian philosophy (such as "Chinese school," "Indian school," "Islamic school," "Christian school," and "Western school"), and lastly based on a historical chronology (such as "the post-Soeharto school'). The following is a sketch of the Indonesian schools of thought and their main philosophers.  
+
Hidayat identifies seven schools of thought developing in Indonesia.<ref>Ferry Hidayat, ''Pengantar Menuju Filsafat Indonesia'', 2005, unpublished paper.</ref> and categorizes them according to their origins (such as "ethnic school"), the world philosophy that a particular school absorbs and adapts to Indonesian philosophy ("Chinese school," "Indian school," "Islamic school," "Christian school," and "Western school"), and historical chronology (such as "the post-Soeharto school').  
  
 
====Ethnic school====
 
====Ethnic school====
This school takes Indonesian ethnic philosophies as its source of inspiration. Its assumption is mythologies, legends, folklores, the way an ethnic group builds its house and holds its ceremonies, literature it keeps, the epics the ethnic group writes, all bases foundation of its philosophy. This 'philosophy' cannot change; it remains the same, from the beginning to the end of the world, and it is also 'the Good'. It guides every member of the group to the origin of group creation on earth (in Javanese, ''sangkan'') and the ''telos'' of the life the group reaches to (in Javanese, ''paran''), so the member cannot go astray.
+
Indigenous Indonesian philosophy is expressed in the approximately 587 living languages found in Indonesia and its national language [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]]. The ethnic school finds its inspiration in the philosophical concepts embodied in mythology, legends, folklore, the ways in which an ethnic group builds its houses and holds its ceremonies, the literature and the epics of ethnic groups. This 'philosophy' remains unchanged, from the beginning to the end of the world. It is also 'the Good' that guides every member of the group, from the origins of the group’s creation on earth (in Javanese, ''sangkan'') towards the ''telos,'' or ideal life that the group aspires to (in Javanese, ''paran''), so that the member cannot go astray.
  
This school preserves Indonesian ethnic philosophies which are original, since the philosophies had been hold tight by ethnic members before they were encountered with later foreign philosophical traditions.
+
The ethnic school encompasses traditional Indonesian ethnic philosophies as they existed before encountering later foreign philosophical traditions.
  
Most of the school’s proponents assume that today’s Indonesian people are in the position of being blind to their original values. Jakob Sumardjo, for instance, argued that most of today’s Indonesians ''…forget to preserve their original values'' and ''…forgetting the past, forgetting the origin, they are like amnesiac people...'' who ''…ignore their own national history…'' (Sumardjo 2003:23, 25). Consequently, they are ‘alienated’; estranged from ‘their mother cultures’ (Sumardjo 2003:53). The failure of Indonesian educational policy, to Jakob, is brought by this ‘blindness’ to Indonesian original culture (Sumardjo 2003:58). Therefore, the necessary task of this school of philosophy is to seek after, recall and revitalize the ethnic original values, since the values are ‘mothers’ (''lokalitas ialah ibu manusia'') and people are ‘fathers’ of existence (''balita ialah bapak manusia'') (Sumardjo 2003:22).
+
Most of the ethnic school’s proponents assume that modern Indonesian people have become blind to their original values. Jakob Sumardjo, for instance, argues that most of today’s Indonesians ''…forget to preserve their original values'' and ''…forgetting the past, forgetting the origin, they are like amnesiac people...'' who ''…ignore their own national history…'' <ref>Sumardjo 2003:23, 25</ref>and are consequently ‘alienated;estranged from ‘their mother cultures’ <ref>Sumardjo 2003:53</ref>. Jakob attributes the failure of Indonesian educational policy to this ‘blindness’ to Indonesian original culture <ref>Sumardjo 2003:58</ref>. Therefore, the necessary task of this school of philosophy is to seek after, recall and revitalize original ethnic values, since these values are ‘mothers’ (''lokalitas ialah ibu manusia'') while people are ‘fathers’ of existence (''balita ialah bapak manusia'') <ref>Sumardjo 2003:22</ref>.
 
 
The following are some philosophical notions which this school advocates: 
 
  
 
=====Adat=====
 
=====Adat=====
For this school of thought, ''[[adat]]'' plays very important role. ''Adat'' is the main inspiration for ethnic philosophers, as it is the intellectual legacy which belongs to a particular ethnic group. ''Adat'' is inherited from an ethnic's forefathers to later generations of the ethnic group. Indonesians believe that ''adat'' is not a human creation, but the spirits and supernatural powers ruling the community. This ''adat'' is very different from what Englishmen call ''tradition'', ''custom'' or ''convention'' today. Its meaning is not simply wider, but more particularly goes far deeper. It includes everything Englishmen call ''law'' nowadays; and it goes much further than law in determining the needs and the actions of individuals and the community. It ordains the ceremonies of marriage, birth and death, the times and the methods for sowing rice, building a house, praying for rain, and many other things. Economics, politics, philosophy and art all come within its sphere. Indeed from one point of view, ''adat'' is simply a social expression of the community religion, in as much as it is not a human creation, and in its exercise men are still constantly watched over by the spirits and supernatural powers ruling community. Because the ''adat'' which regulates the entire life of the community is dominated by spirits and supernatural powers, that communal life is inevitably static and deeply conservative. Its roots lay in the obscurity of the past, when the ancestors laid down the adat once and for all, or as [[Minangkabau]] people say: ''It doesn't crack with the heat or rot in the rain.'' In such an environment the word 'old' has a special significance, denoting something venerable, sacred, powerful and full of wisdom (Alisjahbana 1961:13-14).
+
''[[Adat]],'' the main inspiration for ethnic philosophers, is the intellectual legacy which belongs to a particular ethnic group. ''Adat'' is inherited by later generations from the  forefathers of an ethnic group. Indonesians believe that ''adat'' is not a human creation, but the spirits and supernatural powers that rule the community. ''Adat'' is often defined as “customary law,” but it is far more profound than the Western concept of ''tradition'', ''custom'' or ''convention.'' It encompasses everything that Westerners call ''law,'' but goes much further in determining the needs and actions of individuals and the community. ''Adat'' ordains the ceremonies of marriage, birth and death, the times and the methods for sowing rice, building a house, praying for rain, and many other things. Economics, politics, philosophy and art all come within its sphere. Some view ''adat'' as a social expression of the community religion, because it is not a human creation, and in its exercise men are constantly watched over by the spirits and supernatural powers ruling a community. Since the ''adat'' which regulates the entire life of the community is dominated by spirits and supernatural powers, that communal life is inevitably static and deeply conservative. Its roots are in the obscurity of the past, when the ancestors laid down the adat once and for all. The [[Minangkabau]] people say of adat, ''It doesn't crack with the heat or rot in the rain.'' In such an environment the word 'old' has a special significance, denoting something venerable, sacred, powerful and full of wisdom <ref>Alisjahbana 1961:13-14</ref>.
  
 
=====Myths of Origin=====
 
=====Myths of Origin=====
Among intellectual legacy which the ''adat'' inherited to Indonesians is a set of myths of origin of creation. The myths are sung (and only recently written) in important ceremonies held on special occasions of birth, death, marriage, [[harvest festival]], and so on. The Dayak-Benuaq tribe of East [[Kalimantan]], for example, has a set of myths known as ''Temputn''. This ''Temputn'' tells myths of origin of universe, world and sky, human and animal creation, plants, water, fire, rain, death, ancestor origin, and some social taboos (Michael Hopes & Karaakng 1997:1-19). According to ''Temputn'', far before humankind had been created, they were two families who inhabited the sky. Of the raw materials used by the ‘sky families’ to create the earth and the sky, finally the first human came into being. He was married to a woman, who was his own daughter, and had many children, some of whom later became ''seniangs''group of spirits who live in the heavens, responsible for the policing of the most important moral affairs and they are in charge of ''adat'' guardians. The ''seniangs'' can inflict punishments (curses) on the ‘incestuous’. Their children were not only the human race and spirits, but also animals like wildcats of the forest, bears, ancestor of deer, the pigs of the forest, forefathers of monkey, ancestor of bees, snakes, and many others (Michael Hopes & Karaakng 1997:29-41).
+
Among intellectual legacy of ''adat'' is a set of creation myths. The myths are sung (and only recently written) in important ceremonies held on special occasions such as birth, death, marriage, and [[harvest festival]]. The Dayak-Benuaq tribe of East [[Kalimantan]], for example, has a set of myths known as ''Temputn'' which explain the origin of the universe, world and sky; creation of humans, animals, plants, water, fire, rain, and death; the origin of ancestors, and some social taboos <ref> Michael Hopes, Madrah T. Dalmasius, and Karaakng. Temputn: myths of the Benuaq and Tunjung Dayak. Jakarta: Puspa Swara and Rio Tinto Foundation. 1997.  ISBN:9798955498 9789798955495:1-19</ref>. According to ''Temputn,'' long before the creation of humankind, two families inhabited the sky. The first human was created from the raw materials used by the ‘sky families’ to make the earth and the sky. He was married to a woman, who was his own daughter, and had many children, some of whom later became ''seniangs''—a group of spirits who live in the heavens. Seninags are responsible for policing the most important moral affairs and are in charge of ''adat'' guardians. The ''seniangs'' can inflict punishments (curses) on the ‘incestuous.’ The pair’s other children were not only the human race and spirits, but animals like wildcats and pigs of the forest, bears, ancestors of deer, forefathers of monkey, ancestor of bees, snakes, and many others <ref> Michael Hopes & Karaakng 1997:29-41</ref>.
  
 
=====''Pantun''=====
 
=====''Pantun''=====
''[[Pantun]]'' is original kind of poem created by Indonesians. It is a four-line poem that consists of two parts; the first two lines are called as ''sampiran'' and the second two lines as ''isi''. The ''sampiran'' always provides an analogy for the ''isi'', and it symbolizes a [[macrocosm]] for a [[microcosm]]. As the [[mythology]] went, humankind was made of materials from which 'the sky families' created the sky and the world, and ''pantun'' reflects this belief very clearly. The ''sampiran'' represents 'the sky and the world', while the ''isi'' signifies 'the humankind'. Both between ''sampiran'' and ''isi'' there must be [[logical correspondence]], as they both are symbols of harmony of the nature and humankind (Sumardjo 2002:296-324). Below is an example of ''pantun'':
+
''[[Pantun]]'' is a type of Indonesian poem consisting of four lines in two parts; the first two lines are ''sampiran'' and the second two are ''isi.'' The ''sampiran'' always provides an analogy for the ''isi'', and it symbolizes a [[macrocosm]] of a [[microcosm]]. According to [[mythology]], humankind was made of materials from which 'the sky families' created the sky and the world, and this belief is reflected in the structure of the ''pantun.'' The ''sampiran'' represents 'the sky and the world,' while the ''isi'' signifies 'humankind.' Both There must be a [[logical correspondence]] between ''sampiran'' and ''isi,'' as they are both symbols of harmony of the nature and humankind <ref> Sumardjo 2002:296-324</ref>. Here is an example of ''pantun:''
  
 
:''Tujuh hari dalam hutan'' || ''Air tak minum, nasi tak makan'' || ''Sehari tiada pandang Tuan'' || ''Rasanya susut tubuh di badan''
 
:''Tujuh hari dalam hutan'' || ''Air tak minum, nasi tak makan'' || ''Sehari tiada pandang Tuan'' || ''Rasanya susut tubuh di badan''
  
The ''sampiran'' which says (in English) ''seven days in deep forest || no drinking water, no eating rice'' must have logical correspondence with the ''isi'', which says ''no meeting you Sir in a day || feels like the body becomes thinner and thinner''. The ''sampiran'' says about the suffering one can feel when he is in a deep forest in seven days without drink and food, while the ''isi'' says about the suffering one can feel when he does not meet in a day the lover he really longs or yearns for. The ''sampiran'', therefore, analogizes the ''isi'' in the suffering of the longing.
+
''seven days in deep forest ||no drinking water, no eating rice''|| ''no meeting you Sir in a day || feels like the body becomes thinner and thinner.''
 +
 
 +
The ''sampiran'' (first two lines) refers to the physical suffering a person experiences when he is in a deep forest for seven days without food or water, while the ''isi'' (second two lines) refers to the suffering a person feels when he is separated for a day from the lover he yearns for. The first two lines ('sampiran) are an analogy for the second two lines (isi).  
  
 
=====Pepatah=====
 
=====Pepatah=====
''[[Pepatah]]'' is like what Englishmen call ''[[proverb]]'' or ''[[saying]]''. ''Pepatah'' is included in the ''adat'' in the sense that it gives guidance and instruction to every member of a particular ethnic group to behave well to others in the community. It is believed that ''pepatah'' was created by ethnic ancestors inspired by supernatural powers and spirits (Nasroen 1967:27). The wording of ''pepatah'' is taken from nature, which means that all guidance for people's life must be derived from [[the laws of nature]]. The nature has its own laws and it is people's obligation to submit to it. As the [[myth of origin]] told, humans were parts of nature; they were made of it, so they had to live in total submission to its laws (Nasroen 1967:30).
+
''[[Pepatah]]'' resembles ''[[proverb]]''s or ''[[saying]]''s. ''Pepatah'' is included in the ''adat'' in the sense that it guides and instructs every member of a particular ethnic group to behave well towards others in the community. It is believed that ''pepatah'' was created by ethnic ancestors inspired by supernatural powers and spirits <ref> M. Nasroen, Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy), Jakarta, Penerbit Bulan Bintang, 1967:27 </ref>. The wording of ''pepatah'' is taken from nature, signifying that all guidance for living must be derived from [[the laws of nature]], and that people are obligated to submit to the laws of nature. According to the creation myth, humans were made from elements of nature, so they had to live in total submission to its laws <ref> Nasroen 1967:30</ref>.
  
Here are some examples of ''pepatah'': ''dalam laut dapat diduga, dalam hati siapa tahu'' (we can assume the depth of the sea, but we cannot assume what in people's heart is) teaches very clearly about the danger of assuming what in people's heart is, for the knowledge of it can only be obtained by asking to the people concerned, not by assuming; ''ada gula, ada semut'' (where there is sugar, there is ant) teaches [[the law of causality]], in which an effect can be taken place if there is a cause bringing it; ''malu bertanya, sesat di jalan'' (if you are shy of asking questions, you will get lost in your way) teaches the importance of asking questions in the process of seeking after [[knowledge]], and the like.
+
Some examples of ''pepatah'' are:  
 +
*''dalam laut dapat diduga, dalam hati siapa tahu'' (we can assume the depth of the sea, but we cannot assume what is in people's hearts).
 +
*''ada gula, ada semut'' (where there is sugar, there are ants)  
 +
*''malu bertanya, sesat di jalan'' (if you are shy about asking questions, you will get lost on your way)  
  
=====''Adat'' Social Structure=====
+
=====''Adat'' social structure=====
It has been stated above that not only did ''adat'' include tradition, custom, convention and law, but it also included a kind of social structure. The [[social structure]] bound by a common ''adat'' was typified by small-scale communities of people in villages or of nomads wandering over a specific area. These communities were rather like miniature [[democratic]] [[republics]]. Their headmen were elected from the descendants of the oldest branch of the tribe, and they saw to the needs and interests of the community, assisted by a council of elders. Really important decisions were taken by collective deliberations, called as ''mupakat''. Naturally in a democracy of this type, in which a premium is put on unanimity of opinions, the position of the ''balai'' was extremely important. This was the building in which meetings and discussions were held. We can think them as the centers of social life within these small communities (Alisjahbana 1961:14-15).
+
''Adat'' not only encompasses tradition, custom, convention and law, but also dictates a form of social structure. The [[social structure]] bound by a common ''adat'' was typified by small-scale communities of people living in villages or of wandering as nomads over a specific area. These communities were somewhat like miniature [[democratic]] [[republics]]. Their headmen were elected from the descendants of the oldest branch of the tribe, and they saw to the needs and interests of the community, assisted by a council of elders. Important decisions were made by collective deliberations, called ''mupakat''. In a democracy of this type, in which a premium is put on unanimity of opinions, the position of the ''balai,'' the building in which meetings and discussions were held, was extremely important. Balai can be ragarded centers of social life within these small communities <ref> Alisjahbana 1961:14-15 </ref>.
  
The principal duty of the village government was to administer the ''adat'' handed down from generation to generation, and to settle any disputes that might arise. However, the actual scope of administration within this indigenous Indonesian society was very broad if one compared it to the scope of governmental activity today. it included the regulation of marriage ceremonies, crop cultivation, distribution of the harvest, division of legacies, etc., quite apart from attending to the daily needs of the community (Alisjahbana 1961:15).   
+
The principal duty of the village government was to administer the ''adat'' handed down from generation to generation, and to settle any disputes that might arise. The scope of administration within indigenous Indonesian society was very broad compared to the scope of modern government. In addition to attending to the daily needs of the community, it included such duties as the regulation of marriage ceremonies, crop cultivation, distribution of the harvest, and division of legacies. <ref> Alisjahbana 1961:15 </ref>.   
  
=====Further reading=====
 
Those books are on Indonesian ethnic philosophies:
 
*{{cite book | author=Lansing, Stephen. | title=Three Worlds of Bali | location=Westport | publisher=Praeger Publishers | year=1983 | id=ISBN 0-275-91720-7 }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Errington, Frederick Karl. | title=Manners and Meaning in West Sumatra: The Social Context of Consciousness | location=New Haven | publisher=Yale University Press| year=1984 | id=ISBN 0-300-03159-9 }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Eiseman Jr, Fred B. | title=Bali Sekala &Niskala: Vol. 1. Essays on Religion, Ritual, and Art  | location=Berkeley and Singapore | publisher=PeriPlus Editions | year=1989 | id=ISBN 0-945971-05-2 }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Wikan, Unni | title=Managing Turbulent Hearts: a Balinese Formula for Living | location=Chicago | publisher=University of Chicago Press | year=1990 | id=ISBN 0-226-89678-1 (U.S.A)}}
 
*{{cite book | author=Tol, Roger (et.al.) | title=Authority and Enterprise among the Peoples of North Sulawesi | location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press | year=2000 | id=ISBN 90-6718-145-5}}
 
*{{cite book | author= Mrázek, Jan | title= Phenomenology of a puppet theatre. Contemplations on the art of Javanese wayang kulit| location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press  | year=2005 | id=ISBN 90-6718-252-4}}
 
  
 
====Chinese school====
 
====Chinese school====
The native [[philosophers]] remained to hold their original philosophies until the coming of Chinese migrants between 1122-222 BC who brought and introduced [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]] to them (Larope 1986:4). The two foreign philosophies and the local ones then diffused and penetrated; so mixed that they could not be dissolved (SarDesai 1989:9-13). One of the remnants of the diffused philosophy, which is still practiced by all Indonesians to date, is the Confucian notion of ''hsiao'' (Pinyin: 'Xiao', 孝; Indonesian: ''menghormati orangtua''). The notion teaches that one must respect his parents above other things. He must prioritize his parents before he gives priority to others.
+
Chinese migrants between 1122-222 B.C.E. introduced [[Taoism]] and [[Confucianism]] to indigenous Indonesians <ref> J. Larope, IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies), Surabaya , Penerbit Palapa , 1986:4</ref>. The two foreign philosophies were diffused and mingled with ethnic philosophies, so that they could no longer be distinguished. <ref>SarDesai 1989:9-13</ref>. One remnant of the diffused philosophy, which is still practiced by all Indonesians, is the Confucian notion of ''hsiao'' (Pinyin: 'Xiao', 孝; Indonesian: ''menghormati orangtua''), that an individual must respect his parents above other things.  
 +
The Chinese school seems to be exclusive, and confined to the Chinese ethnic minority in Indonesia. Nevertheless, it made significant contributions to the Indonesian philosophical tradition.  
  
Chinese school seems to be exclusive, as it is only developed mostly by few Chinese ethnic members of Indonesia. Nevertheless, the [[philosophy]] it contributed to Indonesian philosophical tradition is very significant. [[Sun Yat-senism]], [[Maoism]], and [[Neo-maoism]] are important philosophies that were widespread all over Indonesia in the early 1900’s, together with the great growth of Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) (Suryadinata 1990:15).
+
During the early 1900’s [[Sun Yat-senism]], [[Maoism]], and [[Neo-maoism]] became widespread in all areas of  Indonesia, as the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) experienced rapid growth. <ref>Leo Suryadinata, Mencari Identitas Nasional: Dari Tjoe Bou San sampai Yap Thiam Hien (Seeking National Identity: from Tjoe Bou San to Yap Thiam Hien), Jakarta, LP3ES, 1990:15 </ref>.
  
The main philosophers of this school, among others, are: [[Tjoe Bou San]], [[Kwee Hing Tjiat]], [[Liem Koen Hian]], [[Kwee Kek Beng]], and [[Tan Ling Djie]].  
+
The main philosophers of the Chinese school include [[Tjoe Bou San]], [[Kwee Hing Tjiat]], [[Liem Koen Hian]], [[Kwee Kek Beng]], and [[Tan Ling Djie]].  
  
=====Further reading=====
+
====Indian school====
Those books are on Chinese contribution to Indonesian politico-philosophical tradition:
+
The diffusion of philosophies continued with the arrival of [[Hindu]] Brahmans and Buddhists of Indian origin in between 322 B.C.E.-700 C.E.. They introduced Hindi and Buddhist cultures to the native peoples, who synthesized the two into a combination known as [[Tantrayana]]. This synthesis is clearly evident in the [[Borobudur]] Temple built by the Sailendra Dynasty in 800-850 C.E.  (SarDesai, 1989:44-47). [[Rabindranath Tagore]], an Indian philosopher who visited Borobudur, remarked that the temple was un-Indian, since the relics engraved on it represented workers dressed in native Javanese style. He also noted that the native Javanese dances inspired by Indian epics were not similar to Indian dances, although the dances of both countries originated from the same Indian source.
  
*{{cite book | author=Heidhues, Mary F. Somer. | title=Peranakan Chinese Politics in Indonesia | location=New York and Ithaca | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1964 | id= }}
+
[[Hinduism]] and [[Buddhism]]—two philosophies that contradict each other in [[India]]as well as Javanese local philosophy were reconciled in Indonesia by the genius of [[Sambhara Suryawarana]], [[Mpu Prapanca]], and [[Mpu Tantular]].
*{{cite book | author=Suryadinata, Leo. | title=Peranakan Chinese Politics in Java | location=Singapore | publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies | year=1976 | id=ISBN 981-210-360-0 }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Suryadinata, Leo. | title=The Political Thinking of The Indonesian Chinese 1900-1995 | location=Singapore | publisher=Singapore University Press | year=1997 | id=ISBN 9971-69-201-5 }}
 
  
====Indian school====
 
The diffusion of philosophies continued with the coming of [[Hindu]] Brahmans and Buddhists of Indian origin in between 322 B.C.E.-700 C.E. They introduced Hinduist and Buddhist cultures to the native, and the native reciprocated by synthesizing the two into a combined version, known as [[Tantrayana]]. This is clearly shown in the building of [[Borobudur]] Temple by Sailendra Dynasty in 800-850 C.E. (SarDesai, 1989:44-47). [[Rabindranath Tagore]], an Indian philosopher who visited Borobudur for the first time, admitted the temple as un-Indian, since the relics engraved on it represented workers dressed in native Javanese style. He also admitted that the native Javanese dances inspired of Indian epics were not similar to Indian dances, although those dances of the two countries sourced from the same Indian well.
 
  
[[Hindu]] and [[Buddhism]]—two philosophies that contradict each other in [[India]]as well as Javanese local philosophy were conciliated in Indonesia by the genius of [[Sambhara Suryawarana]], [[Mpu Prapanca]], and [[Mpu Tantular]].
+
====Islamic school====
 +
The 10th-century Indianization of Indonesia was rivaled by the coming of Persian [[Sufism]], which began to enter native philosophical discourse in the early 1400’s. The spread of Sufism was encouraged by the founding of massive Islamic [[monarchy|kingdoms]] and [[sultanate]]s in Indonesia <ref> Nasroen 1991:262 </ref>. Kings and [[sultan]]s such as [[Sunan Giri]], [[Sunan Gunungjati]], [[Sunan Kudus]], Sultan [[Trenggono]] of Demak, [[Pakubuwana II]], [[Pakubuwana IV]], Sultan [[Ageng Tirtayasa]] of Banten, Sultan [[Alauddin Riayat Syah]], [[Engku Hajji Muda Raja Abdallah]] and Raja [[Muhammad Yusuf]] were ''sufi-kings'' who learned from eminent [[Sufi]] teachers <ref> Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia, Pengaruh Islam terhadap Budaya Jawa dan Sebaliknya: Seri Kliping Perpustakaan Nasional dalam Berita Vol.II No.1 (Clips about The Islam Influence on Javanese Culture and Vice Versa), Jakarta, Sub Bagian Humas Perpustakaan Nasional RI, 2001:12-39 </ref>.
  
=====Further reading=====
+
Sufism in [[Indonesia]] can be divided to two schools: Ghazalism from [[Al-Ghazali]]’s teachings and Ibn Arabism from [[Ibn Arabi]]’s doctrines. Prominent Sufis from the Al-Ghazali line were [[Nuruddin Al-Raniri]], [[Abdurrauf Al-Singkeli]], [[Abd al-Shamad Al-Palimbangi]], and [[Syekh Yusuf Makassar]]; from the Ibn Arabi line were [[Hamzah Al-Fansuri]], [[Al-Sumatrani]], and [[Syekh Siti Jenar]]. <ref> Nasroen 1991:282-287 </ref>.
*{{cite book | author=Parkin, Harry. | title=Batak Fruit of Hindu| location=Madras | publisher=The Christian Literature Society | year=1978 | id= }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Zoetmulder, P.J. | title=Pantheism and monism in Javanese Suluk literature : Islamic and Indian mysticism in an Indonesian setting | location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press |year=1995|id=ISSN  0074-0470}}
 
  
====Islamic school====
+
Arabian [[Wahhabism]] was also adopted by King [[Pakubuwono IV]] and [[Tuanku Imam Bonjol]], who took on the mission of eradicating Sufism and encouraging [[Qur'an]] teachings instead <ref> Hamka., Perkembangan Kebatinan di Indonesia (The Development of Esotericism in Indonesia), Jakarta, Bulan Bintang, 1971:62-64 </ref>.
10-century process of Indianization of Indonesia was rivaled by the coming of Persian [[Sufism]] and Sufism has begun to root in the native philosophical discourse since the early 1400’s onwards. The widespread of Sufism was encouraged by the massive founding of Islamic [[monarchy|kingdoms]] and [[sultanate]]s in Indonesia (Nasr 1991:262). Kings and [[sultan]]s like [[Sunan Giri]], [[Sunan Gunungjati]], [[Sunan Kudus]], Sultan [[Trenggono]] of Demak, [[Pakubuwana II]], [[Pakubuwana IV]], Sultan [[Ageng Tirtayasa]] of Banten, Sultan [[Alauddin Riayat Syah]], [[Engku Hajji Muda Raja Abdallah]] to Raja [[Muhammad Yusuf]] are ''sufi-kings''; they learned Sufism from eminent [[Sufi]] teachers (Perpustakaan Nasional 2001:12-39).
 
  
Sufism in [[Indonesia]] can be divided to two schools: Ghazalism and Ibn Arabism. Ghazalism takes its main inspiration from [[Al-Ghazali]]’s teachings, whereas Ibn Arabism from [[Ibn Arabi]]’s doctrines. Sufis from Al-Ghazali line are [[Nuruddin Al-Raniri]], [[Abdurrauf Al-Singkeli]], [[Abd al-Shamad Al-Palimbangi]], [[Syekh Yusuf Makassar]], while from Ibn Arabi line are [[Hamzah Al-Fansuri]], [[Al-Sumatrani]], [[Syekh Siti Jenar]], and so on (Nasr 1991:282-287).
+
At the end of the 1800s, [[Modern Islamic philosophy|Islamic modernism]], a synthesis of Islamic teachings and Western [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] philosophy initiated by [[Muhammad Abduh]] and [[Jamal al-din Al-Afghani]] in Egypt prevailed all over the Islamic world. [[Moslems]] in Indonesia also adopted [[modernism]], as shown in the works of [[Syaikh Ahmad Khatib]], [[Syaikh Thaher Djalaluddin]], [[Abdul Karim Amrullah]], [[Ahmad Dahlan]], [[Mohammad Natsir]], [[Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto]], [[Agus Salim]], and [[Misbach]]. <ref> Noor, Deliar, Gerakan Modern Islam di Indonesia 1900-1942 (The Moslem Modernist Movement in Indonesia 1900-1942), Jakarta, LP3ES, 1996:37 </ref>.
  
Arabia [[Wahhabism]] was also adopted by King [[Pakubuwono IV]] and [[Tuanku Imam Bonjol]], whose necessary task of philosophy was to eradicate Sufism and encourage [[Qur'an]] teachings instead (Hamka 1971:62-64).
 
  
When [[Modern Islamic philosophy|Islamic modernism]], whose program was to synthesize Islamic teachings and Western [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]] philosophy, begun by [[Muhammad Abduh]] and [[Jamal al-din Al-Afghani]] in Egypt in the end of 1800s, prevailed in all over Islamic world, [[Moslems]] in Indonesia also adopted and adapted the [[modernism]]. This is clearly shown in the works of [[Syaikh Ahmad Khatib]], [[Syaikh Thaher Djalaluddin]], [[Abdul Karim Amrullah]], [[Ahmad Dahlan]], [[Mohammad Natsir]], [[Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto]], [[Agus Salim]], [[Misbach]], and so forth (Noor 1996:37).
 
  
=====Further reading=====
+
====Christian school====
*{{cite book | author=Al-Attas, Syed M. Naquib. | title=The Mysticism of Hamzah Fansuri | location=Kuala Lumpur | publisher=University of Malaya University Press | year=1970 | id= }}
+
[[Christianity]] arrived among Indonesian peddlers in the middle of the 15th century, brought by Portuguese traders and Catholic missionaries. <ref> Mochtar Lubis., Indonesia: Land under The Rainbow, Singapore, Oxford University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-19-588977-0:78</ref>. First the Portuguese, and then the Dutch, spread [[Catholicism]] and [[Calvinism]] respectively. [[Francis Xavier]], the first Spanish Catholic to come to Indonesia, translated ''Credo, Confession Generalis, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Salve Regina'', and ''The Ten Commandments'' into Malay between 1546 and 1547, to propagate Catholicism among the native peoples. <ref> Lubis:85 </ref>. Catholic churches were established and attracted significant numbers of followers, but they were soon expelled or forced to convert to Calvinism by Dutch Calvinists who came to Indonesia around 1596 and erected [[Dutch Reformed Church]]es in their place. Pieterszoon Coen, one of the Governor-Generals of VOC (Dutch East India Company), put all Calvinist preachers (in Dutch, ''Ziekentroosters'') under his control in 1618. <ref> Lubis 1990:99 </ref>.
*{{cite book | author=Drewes, G.W.J. | title=The Poems of Hamzah Fansuri | publisher =Dordrecht-Holland: Foris | year=1986 | id= }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Zoetmulder, P.J. | title=Pantheism and monism in Javanese Suluk literature : Islamic and Indian mysticism in an Indonesian setting | location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press |year=1995|id=ISSN  0074-0470}}
 
  
 +
Portuguese-style Catholic schools and Dutch-style Calvinist educational institutions were opened for Indonesians, where Western missionaries and teachers trained in European universities taught Christian philosophy along with theology. <ref>Finngeir Hiorth, Philosophers in Indonesia: South East Asian Monograph Series No.12, Townsville, James Cook University of North Queensland, 1983,  ISBN 0-86443-083-3 (Australia): 4 </ref>. Graduates of these universities include Christian philosophers such as [[Nico Syukur Dister]], [[J.B. Banawiratma]], [[Robert J. Hardawiryana]], [[JB.. Mangunwijaya]], and [[T.H. Sumartana]]. Private Catholic and [[Protestant]] universities continue to teach Christian philosophy in Indonesia today.
 +
 
====Western school====
 
====Western school====
When the Dutch colonial government in Indonesia implemented ‘The Ethical Politics’ (''Politik Etis'') in the early 1900’s, Dutch-style educational institutions mushroomed and were opened for native children of noble, feudal classes who wanted to work in colonial institutions. The Dutch-speaking schools taught [[Western philosophy]] as their subjects of study, among which [[Enlightenment philosophy]] was taught very late to Indonesian natives after its 5-century emergence in Europe (Larope 1986:236-238). The alumni of the schools mostly continued their studies to European universities. They soon gathered as a newly emerging elite group in Indonesia who comprised the first generation of European-style [[intelligentsia]] and later they advocated Western philosophy instead of their original ethnic philosophies.
+
In the early 1900’s, the Dutch colonial government in Indonesia implemented ‘The Ethical Politics’ (''Politik Etis'') and opened Dutch-style educational institutions for children of the noble, feudal classes who wanted to work in colonial institutions. The Dutch-speaking schools taught [[Western philosophy]], including [[Enlightenment philosophy]].  <ref>J. Larope, IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies), Surabaya, Penerbit Palapa, 1986:236-238 </ref>. Many alumni of these schools continued their studies at European universities, and soon emerged as a new elite in Indonesia, the first generation of a European-style [[intelligentsia]] advocating Western philosophy.
  
The Western philosophy inspired most of modern Indonesian socio-political institutions. Indonesia’s [[republic]] government, its [[constitution]] and distribution of power, its political parties and its long-term national economic planning were carried out on Western model. Even its ideology ''Pancasila'' (unlike what Soekarno always boasted it or what Soeharto later established) was inspired by Western ideals of humanism, social-democracy, and national socialism of Nazi, as clearly shown in the oration of BPUPKI members, a preparatory council of Indonesian independence in August, 1945 (Risalah Sidang 1995:10-79). This fact leads to a conclusion that ‘Modern Indonesia’ is founded on Western blueprint.
+
Western philosophy inspired most of the modern Indonesian socio-political institutions. Indonesia’s [[republic]]an government, its [[constitution]] and power structure, its political parties and its long-term national economic planning were carried out on Western models. Even its ideology, ''Pancasila,'' was inspired by Western concepts of humanism and social-democracy.  The influence of Nazi national socialism is evident in the speeches of members of BPUPKI, a preparatory council for Indonesian independence, in August, 1945 <ref> BPUPKI, Risalah Sidang Badan Penyelidik Usaha-Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (BPUPKI) & Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (PPKI) (Proceedings of BPUPKI and PPKI Meetings), Jakarta, Sekretaris Negara Republik Indonesia, 1995:10-79 </ref>.  
  
It is interesting to note that even though the elite embraced Western philosophy full-heartedly, they still felt the need to adapt the philosophy to Indonesian concrete, contemporary situation and use. For example [[Soekarno]], who adapted Western democracy to still-feudalistic-people situation so he came up with his famous ''Guided Democracy'' (Soekarno 1963:376). [[D.N. Aidit]] and [[Tan Malaka]] adapted [[Marxism]]-[[Leninism]] to Indonesian situation (Aidit 1964:i-iv; Malaka 2000:45-56) and [[Sutan Syahrir]] adapted [[Social Democracy]] to Indonesian context (Rae 1993:46).
+
Though the elite embraced Western philosophy whole-heartedly, they felt the need to adapt it to the contemporary political reality in Indonesia. [[Soekarno]]’s ''Guided Democracy'' was an adaption of Western democracy to a society that was still feudalistic. (Soekarno 1963:376). [[D.N. Aidit]] and [[Tan Malaka]] adapted [[Marxism]]-[[Leninism]] to the Indonesian situation <ref> Aidit, D. N. The Indonesian revolution and the immediate tasks of the Communist Party of Indonesia. Peking: Foreign Languages Press. 1964:i-iv </ref> <ref>Malaka, Tan, Aksi Massa (Mass Action), Jakarta, CEDI & Aliansi Press, 2000:45-56 </ref> and [[Sutan Syahrir]] adapted [[social democracy]] to an Indonesian context <ref> Lindsay Rae, Sutan Syahrir and the Failure of Indonesian Socialism, McIntyre, Angus (ed.),  Indonesian Political Biography: In Search of Cross-Cultural Understanding, Victoria, Monash University, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, 1993. ISSN 0727-6680:46 </ref>.
  
=====Further reading=====
 
*{{cite book | author=Feith, Herbert.  | title=The Decline of Constitutional Democracy in Indonesia | location=Ithaca | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1962 | id= }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Feith, Herbert, and Lance Castles (eds.).  | title=Indonesian Political Thinking, 1945-1955| location=Ithaca | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1970 | id= }}
 
*{{cite book | author=Brackman, Arnold C. | title=Indonesian Communism: A History | location=Westport | publisher=Greenwood Pub Group  | year=1976 | id=ISBN 0-8371-8419-3 }}
 
  
====Christian school====
+
====Pancasila and post-Soeharto philosophy====
Together with the Western [[capitalism|capitalist]] search for new colonies in the [[East]], [[Christianity]] came to Indonesian peddlers in the mid of 15 century (Lubis 1990:78). First, Portuguese merchants, then Dutch capitalists who spread [[Catholicism]] and [[Calvinism]] respectively. [[Francis Xavier]], the first Spanish Catholic preacher to come, translated ''Credo, Confession Generalis, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Salve Regina'', and ''The Ten Commandments'' into Malay between 1546 and 1547, through which Catholicism can be propagated among the native (Lubis 1990:85). Catholic churches were established and Indonesian Catholics crowded, but soon they were expelled or forced to convert to Calvinism by Dutch Calvinists who came to Indonesia around 1596. [[Dutch Reformed Church]]es were erected instead. Jan Pieterszoon Coen, one of Governor-General of VOC in 1618, was a good example of devout Calvinists. He put all Calvinist preachers (in Dutch, ''Ziekentroosters'') under his control (Lubis 1990:99).
+
 
 +
During his authoritarian presidency (1966 – 1998), Soeharto elaborated an official state philosophy called ''Pancasila,'' (pronounced {{IPA2|panʧaˈsila}}) from the [[Sanskrit]] words, ''panca'' meaning ''five,'' and ''sila'' meaning ''principles,'' comprised of five interrelated principles:  
  
Portuguese-style Catholic schools and Dutch-style Calvinist educational institutions were opened for Indonesian natives. Not only did they teach [[theology]] to the natives, but also [[Christian philosophy]]. One school later became thousands. There have been (and always are) private Catholic and [[Protestant]] universities in which Christian philosophy is taught in Indonesia nowadays. Missionaries and preachers of the West who got master’s degrees in philosophy from European universities came to lecture at Indonesian Christian universities (Hiorth 1987:4). From those universities graduated many who later mastered Christian philosophy, such as [[Nico Syukur Dister]], [[J.B. Banawiratma]], [[Robert J. Hardawiryana]], [[JB.. Mangunwijaya]], [[T.H. Sumartana]], and so forth.
+
#Belief in the [[Monotheism|one and only God]],
 +
#Just and civilized humanity,
 +
#the unity of Indonesia
 +
#Democracy led by wise guidance through consultation/representation ([[representative democracy]])
 +
#social justice for the whole [[Indonesian people]].
  
====Post-Soeharto philosophy====
+
''Pancasila'' was intended to resolve the conflicts among Muslims, nationalists, Hindus  and Christians by identifying basic principles acceptable to all of them. It was made a mandatory component of the constitutions of social and religious organizations, and all candidates for higher education were required to take a one– or two–week course in Pancasila. Under Soeharto, the official Culture and Education Department (Depdikbud) was tasked with finding elements of indigenous Indonesian culture to support the concept that these five principles had been deeply embedded in Indonesian life long before the arrival of any foreign influences.  
This school is mainly on the scene to criticize Soeharto’s socio-political policy during his presidency from 1966 to 1998. Its concern is [[political philosophy]] whose main task is to seek alternatives to the corrupt regime. This school dared to challenge [[Soeharto]] after his silencing all philosophers by violence. Before this, there had been some who opposed Soeharto in 1970’s, but they were brutally assaulted in the incidents ''Peristiwa ITB [[Bandung]] 1973'' and ''Peristiwa Malari 1974''. Since then, philosophy could only be practiced in absentia or in secret; under the New Order, philosophy was repressed and reduced to ideas which officially supported the state. Philosophical [[praxis]] was effectively banned. With regard to philosophy, Soeharto's era can be called an era of "philosophical opium," in which all kinds of philosophy from every branch and school could live but could not be practiced in reality.  Philosophy was pacified: reduced to a mere academic exercise and constrained in its content. In its stead, Soeharto elevated [[Pancasila (politics)|pancasila]] as an official state ideology, one selectively tailored to meet the needs of the New Order (Hidayat 2004:49-55).
 
  
Despite repression, some intellectuals began to publicly dissent and philosophize. They were known as post-Soeharto philosophers, among which are:  [[Sri-Bintang Pamungkas]], [[Budiman Sudjatmiko]], [[Muchtar Pakpahan]], [[Sri-Edi Swasono]], and [[Pius Lustrilanang]].
+
Critics of Pancasila pointed out that it was primarily a political instrument and did not represent genuine philosophical inquiry, particularly since the government brutally suppressed any ideas that did not support the objectives of its “New Order.” Others pointed out that the first principle, belief in one God, did not accommodate indigenous beliefs in plural deities. <ref> Hidayat 2004:49-55 </ref>. In spite of government repression, some intellectuals began to publicly dissent and philosophize. This group, known as the post-Soeharto philosophers, includes [[Sri-Bintang Pamungkas]], [[Budiman Sudjatmiko]], [[Muchtar Pakpahan]], [[Sri-Edi Swasono]], and [[Pius Lustrilanang]].
  
==References ==
+
==Notes ==
 
{{reflist}}
 
{{reflist}}
 +
 +
==References==
 +
*S. Takdir  Alisjahbana, Indonesia in The Modern World,translated into English by Benedict R. Anderson, New Delhi, Prabhakar Padhye, 1961. 
 +
*D.N.  Aidit, The Indonesian Revolution and The Immediate Tasks of Communist Party of Indonesia, Peking, Foreign Languages Press, 1964. 
 +
*Finngeir Hiorth, Philosophers in Indonesia: South East Asian Monograph Series No.12, Townsville, James Cook University of North Queensland, (Australia) 1983.  ISBN 0-86443-083-3
 +
*D.R. SarDesai, Southeast Asia: Past & Present, San Francisco, Westview Press, 1989, 
 +
*Mochtar Lubis., Indonesia: Land under The Rainbow, Singapore, Oxford University Press, 1990. ISBN 0-19-588977-0
 +
*Syed Hossein Nasr,., Islamic Spirituality II: Manifestations, New York, Crossroad, 1991, 
 +
Lindsay Rae,., 1993, chapter = Sutan Syahrir and the Failure of Indonesian Socialism, editor=McIntyre, Angus (ed.),  [[Indonesian Political Biography: In Search of Cross-Cultural Understanding]], pages=pp. 43-121, Victoria, Monash University, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies. ISSN 0727-6680
 +
 +
 +
=== Indonesian ethnic philosophies ===
 +
*{{cite book | author=Lansing, Stephen. | title=Three Worlds of Bali | location=Westport | publisher=Praeger Publishers | year=1983 | id=ISBN 0-275-91720-7 }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Errington, Frederick Karl. | title=Manners and Meaning in West Sumatra: The Social Context of Consciousness | location=New Haven | publisher=Yale University Press| year=1984 | id=ISBN 0-300-03159-9 }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Eiseman Jr, Fred B. | title=Bali Sekala &Niskala: Vol. 1. Essays on Religion, Ritual, and Art  | location=Berkeley and Singapore | publisher=PeriPlus Editions | year=1989 | id=ISBN 0-945971-05-2 }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Wikan, Unni | title=Managing Turbulent Hearts: a Balinese Formula for Living | location=Chicago | publisher=University of Chicago Press | year=1990 | id=ISBN 0-226-89678-1 (U.S.A)}}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Tol, Roger (et.al.) | title=Authority and Enterprise among the Peoples of North Sulawesi | location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press | year=2000 | id=ISBN 90-6718-145-5}}
 +
*{{cite book | author= Mrázek, Jan | title= Phenomenology of a puppet theatre. Contemplations on the art of Javanese wayang kulit| location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press  | year=2005 | id=ISBN 90-6718-252-4}}
 +
====Chinese school===
 +
*{{cite book | author=Heidhues, Mary F. Somer. | title=Peranakan Chinese Politics in Indonesia | location=New York and Ithaca | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1964 | id= }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Suryadinata, Leo. | title=Peranakan Chinese Politics in Java | location=Singapore | publisher=Institute of Southeast Asian Studies | year=1976 | id=ISBN 981-210-360-0 }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Suryadinata, Leo. | title=The Political Thinking of The Indonesian Chinese 1900-1995 | location=Singapore | publisher=Singapore University Press | year=1997 | id=ISBN 9971-69-201-5 }}
 +
===Indian school===
 +
*{{cite book | author=Parkin, Harry. | title=Batak Fruit of Hindu| location=Madras | publisher=The Christian Literature Society | year=1978 | id= }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Zoetmulder, P.J. | title=Pantheism and monism in Javanese Suluk literature : Islamic and Indian mysticism in an Indonesian setting | location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press |year=1995|id=ISSN  0074-0470}}
 +
===Islamic school===
 +
*{{cite book | author=Al-Attas, Syed M. Naquib. | title=The Mysticism of Hamzah Fansuri | location=Kuala Lumpur | publisher=University of Malaya University Press | year=1970 | id= }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Drewes, G.W.J. | title=The Poems of Hamzah Fansuri | publisher =Dordrecht-Holland: Foris | year=1986 | id= }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Zoetmulder, P.J. | title=Pantheism and monism in Javanese Suluk literature : Islamic and Indian mysticism in an Indonesian setting | location=Leiden | publisher=KITLV Press |year=1995|id=ISSN  0074-0470}}
 +
===Western school===
 +
*{{cite book | author=Feith, Herbert.  | title=The Decline of Constitutional Democracy in Indonesia | location=Ithaca | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1962 | id= }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Feith, Herbert, and Lance Castles (eds.).  | title=Indonesian Political Thinking, 1945-1955| location=Ithaca | publisher=Cornell University Press | year=1970 | id= }}
 +
*{{cite book | author=Brackman, Arnold C. | title=Indonesian Communism: A History | location=Westport | publisher=Greenwood Pub Group  | year=1976 | id=ISBN 0-8371-8419-3 }}
  
 
===References in Indonesian===
 
===References in Indonesian===
In chronological order
+
(In chronological order)
 
 
 
* {{cite book | author=Soekarno | title=Di Bawah Bendera Revolusi (Under the Banner of Revolution)| location=Jakarta | publisher=Panitya Penerbitan | year=1963 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Soekarno | title=Di Bawah Bendera Revolusi (Under the Banner of Revolution)| location=Jakarta | publisher=Panitya Penerbitan | year=1963 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Nasroen, M. | title=Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy)| location=Jakarta | publisher=Penerbit Bulan Bintang | year=1967 | id=}}
 
* {{cite book | author=Nasroen, M. | title=Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy)| location=Jakarta | publisher=Penerbit Bulan Bintang | year=1967 | id=}}
Line 132: Line 159:
 
* {{cite book | author=Hidayat, Ferry. | title=Sketsa Sejarah Filsafat Indonesia (A Historical Sketch of Indonesian Philosophy)| publisher =unpublished paper | year=2004 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Hidayat, Ferry. | title=Sketsa Sejarah Filsafat Indonesia (A Historical Sketch of Indonesian Philosophy)| publisher =unpublished paper | year=2004 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Hidayat, Ferry. | title=Pengantar Menuju Filsafat Indonesia (An Introduction to the Indonesian Philosophy)| publisher =unpublished paper | year=2005 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Hidayat, Ferry. | title=Pengantar Menuju Filsafat Indonesia (An Introduction to the Indonesian Philosophy)| publisher =unpublished paper | year=2005 | id= }}
 
 
===References in English===
 
* {{cite book | author=Alisjahbana, S. Takdir. | title=Indonesia in The Modern World |others=translated into English by Benedict R. Anderson| location=New Delhi | publisher=Prabhakar Padhye | year=1961 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Aidit, D.N. | title=The Indonesian Revolution and The Immediate Tasks of Communist Party of Indonesia | location=Peking | publisher=Foreign Languages Press | year=1964 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author= Hiorth, Finngeir. | title=Philosophers in Indonesia: South East Asian Monograph Series No.12| location=Townsville | publisher=James Cook University of North Queensland | year=1983| id= ISBN 0-86443-083-3 (Australia)}}
 
* {{cite book | author=SarDesai, D.R. | title=Southeast Asia: Past & Present | location=San Francisco | publisher=Westview Press | year=1989 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Lubis, Mochtar. | title=Indonesia: Land under The Rainbow | location=Singapore | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=1990 | id=ISBN 0-19-588977-0 }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Nasr, Syed Hossein. | title=Islamic Spirituality II: Manifestations | location=New York | publisher=Crossroad | year=1991 | id= }}
 
* {{cite book | author=Rae, Lindsay. | year=1993 | chapter = Sutan Syahrir and the Failure of Indonesian Socialism | editor=McIntyre, Angus (ed.) | title = [[Indonesian Political Biography: In Search of Cross-Cultural Understanding]] | pages=pp. 43-121 | location=Victoria | publisher=Monash University, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies | id=ISSN 0727-6680}}
 
  
  
Line 150: Line 167:
 
[[id:Filsafat Indonesia]]
 
[[id:Filsafat Indonesia]]
  
{{credits|Indonesian_philosophy|213164736|}}
+
{{credits|Indonesian_philosophy|213164736| Pancasila_(politics|231033877|}}

Revision as of 15:42, 28 August 2008

Indonesian philosophy is a generic designation for the traditions of abstract speculation among the people who inhabit the region now known as Indonesia. Indonesian philosophy comprises many diverse schools of thought, including indigenous beliefs and the Eastern and Western philosophical traditions that have influenced Indonesia throughout its history.

Ethnic Indonesian philosophy is expressed in the approximately 587 living languages found in Indonesia and its national language Indonesian, embodied in mythology, legends, folklore, the ways in which an ethnic group builds its houses and holds its ceremonies, the literature and the epics of ethnic groups. Adat, the custom which regulates the entire life of the community, is viewed by some as a social expression of the community religion, because it is dominated by spirits and supernatural powers. Adat includes pepatah, proverbs or sayings that guide and instruct every member of a particular ethnic group to behave well towards others in the community. Ethnic creation myths describe how human beings were made from the materials left over when the universe and sky were created, and are therefore microcosms of the universe and subordinate to nature.

Taoism and Confucianism were introduced to indigenous Indonesians by Chinese migrants between 1122-222 B.C.E. [1] and mingled with ethnic beliefs, so that they could no longer be distinguished. [2]. Hindu Brahmans and Buddhists of Indian origin arrived in Indonesia between 322 B.C.E.-700 C.E., and brought with them Tantrayana. Persian Sufism began to enter native philosophical discourse in the early 1400’s; its spread was encouraged by the founding of massive Islamic kingdoms and sultanates in Indonesia. European traders introduced Catholicism in the 15th century, followed by the Dutch with Calvinism at the end of the 16th century. In the early 1900’s, the Dutch colonial government opened Dutch-style educational institutions for children of the aristocracy who wanted to work in colonial institutions. Many alumni of these schools continued their studies at European universities, and emerged as the first generation of a European-style intelligentsia advocating Western philosophy. During the post-colonial period, many Indonesians turned to communism and social democracy in a search for a solution to social problems and disharmony among different religious and ethnic groups.

Definition of Indonesian philosophy

The term Indonesian philosophy originates from a title of book written by M. Nasroen,[3] in which he traced philosophical elements found in Indonesian culture. Since then, the term has become popular and has inspired later Indonesian writers such as Parmono, Jakob Sumardjo, and Sunoto, who established the nation's first philosophy department at Universitas Gajah Mada in Yogyakarta.

Sunoto, Parmona, and Sumardjo defined the word Indonesian philosophy differently. Without clearly defining the word, M. Nasroen argued that Indonesian philosophy was neither Western nor Eastern. He pointed to core Indonesian concepts and practices such as mupakat, pantun-pantun, Pancasila, hukum adat, gotong-royong, and kekeluargaan [4]. Sunoto [5] too, embraced a culturalist notion of Indonesian philosophy, calling it "the cultural richness of our own nation…contained in our own culture." Parmono defined it as "thought or reflections…which are bound in" adat "as well as ethnic culture" [6]. Sumardjo wrote that the "philosophy of Indonesian people has never been conceived of. Their philosophical conceptions must be sought after and found out of what they have done." He added, "Indonesian philosophy lies in their daily-life behavior and factual result of their activities. Philosophy of Indonesian people lies within their pepatah-petitih, adat houses, adat ceremonies and rites, old myths, in their dress ornaments, their dances, the music they play, in their weapons, their social system, and so on" [7].

These writers understood Indonesian philosophy as an aspect of culture and did not attempt to separate philosophy from cultural studies and anthropology. The Indonesian language initially had no word for philosophy as a discipline distinct from theology, art, and science.[8] Instead, Indonesians use a generic word, budaya or kebudayaan, which encompasses all of the manifestations of the life of a society, including philosophy, science, theology, religion, art and technology. Indonesians commonly refer to their philosophers as budayawan [9].

This concept confines the scope of Indonesian philosophy only to those original notions of Indonesian cultural richness. Ferry Hidayat,[10] widens the scope of Indonesian philosophy to include the adapted and "indigenized" philosophies influenced by foreign philosophical traditions.

Schools of thought

Hidayat identifies seven schools of thought developing in Indonesia.[11] and categorizes them according to their origins (such as "ethnic school"), the world philosophy that a particular school absorbs and adapts to Indonesian philosophy ("Chinese school," "Indian school," "Islamic school," "Christian school," and "Western school"), and historical chronology (such as "the post-Soeharto school').

Ethnic school

Indigenous Indonesian philosophy is expressed in the approximately 587 living languages found in Indonesia and its national language Indonesian. The ethnic school finds its inspiration in the philosophical concepts embodied in mythology, legends, folklore, the ways in which an ethnic group builds its houses and holds its ceremonies, the literature and the epics of ethnic groups. This 'philosophy' remains unchanged, from the beginning to the end of the world. It is also 'the Good' that guides every member of the group, from the origins of the group’s creation on earth (in Javanese, sangkan) towards the telos, or ideal life that the group aspires to (in Javanese, paran), so that the member cannot go astray.

The ethnic school encompasses traditional Indonesian ethnic philosophies as they existed before encountering later foreign philosophical traditions.

Most of the ethnic school’s proponents assume that modern Indonesian people have become blind to their original values. Jakob Sumardjo, for instance, argues that most of today’s Indonesians …forget to preserve their original values and …forgetting the past, forgetting the origin, they are like amnesiac people... who …ignore their own national history… [12]and are consequently ‘alienated;’ estranged from ‘their mother cultures’ [13]. Jakob attributes the failure of Indonesian educational policy to this ‘blindness’ to Indonesian original culture [14]. Therefore, the necessary task of this school of philosophy is to seek after, recall and revitalize original ethnic values, since these values are ‘mothers’ (lokalitas ialah ibu manusia) while people are ‘fathers’ of existence (balita ialah bapak manusia) [15].

Adat

Adat, the main inspiration for ethnic philosophers, is the intellectual legacy which belongs to a particular ethnic group. Adat is inherited by later generations from the forefathers of an ethnic group. Indonesians believe that adat is not a human creation, but the spirits and supernatural powers that rule the community. Adat is often defined as “customary law,” but it is far more profound than the Western concept of tradition, custom or convention. It encompasses everything that Westerners call law, but goes much further in determining the needs and actions of individuals and the community. Adat ordains the ceremonies of marriage, birth and death, the times and the methods for sowing rice, building a house, praying for rain, and many other things. Economics, politics, philosophy and art all come within its sphere. Some view adat as a social expression of the community religion, because it is not a human creation, and in its exercise men are constantly watched over by the spirits and supernatural powers ruling a community. Since the adat which regulates the entire life of the community is dominated by spirits and supernatural powers, that communal life is inevitably static and deeply conservative. Its roots are in the obscurity of the past, when the ancestors laid down the adat once and for all. The Minangkabau people say of adat, It doesn't crack with the heat or rot in the rain. In such an environment the word 'old' has a special significance, denoting something venerable, sacred, powerful and full of wisdom [16].

Myths of Origin

Among intellectual legacy of adat is a set of creation myths. The myths are sung (and only recently written) in important ceremonies held on special occasions such as birth, death, marriage, and harvest festival. The Dayak-Benuaq tribe of East Kalimantan, for example, has a set of myths known as Temputn which explain the origin of the universe, world and sky; creation of humans, animals, plants, water, fire, rain, and death; the origin of ancestors, and some social taboos [17]. According to Temputn, long before the creation of humankind, two families inhabited the sky. The first human was created from the raw materials used by the ‘sky families’ to make the earth and the sky. He was married to a woman, who was his own daughter, and had many children, some of whom later became seniangs—a group of spirits who live in the heavens. Seninags are responsible for policing the most important moral affairs and are in charge of adat guardians. The seniangs can inflict punishments (curses) on the ‘incestuous.’ The pair’s other children were not only the human race and spirits, but animals like wildcats and pigs of the forest, bears, ancestors of deer, forefathers of monkey, ancestor of bees, snakes, and many others [18].

Pantun

Pantun is a type of Indonesian poem consisting of four lines in two parts; the first two lines are sampiran and the second two are isi. The sampiran always provides an analogy for the isi, and it symbolizes a macrocosm of a microcosm. According to mythology, humankind was made of materials from which 'the sky families' created the sky and the world, and this belief is reflected in the structure of the pantun. The sampiran represents 'the sky and the world,' while the isi signifies 'humankind.' Both There must be a logical correspondence between sampiran and isi, as they are both symbols of harmony of the nature and humankind [19]. Here is an example of pantun:

Tujuh hari dalam hutan || Air tak minum, nasi tak makan || Sehari tiada pandang Tuan || Rasanya susut tubuh di badan

seven days in deep forest ||no drinking water, no eating rice|| no meeting you Sir in a day || feels like the body becomes thinner and thinner.

The sampiran (first two lines) refers to the physical suffering a person experiences when he is in a deep forest for seven days without food or water, while the isi (second two lines) refers to the suffering a person feels when he is separated for a day from the lover he yearns for. The first two lines ('sampiran) are an analogy for the second two lines (isi).

Pepatah

Pepatah resembles proverbs or sayings. Pepatah is included in the adat in the sense that it guides and instructs every member of a particular ethnic group to behave well towards others in the community. It is believed that pepatah was created by ethnic ancestors inspired by supernatural powers and spirits [20]. The wording of pepatah is taken from nature, signifying that all guidance for living must be derived from the laws of nature, and that people are obligated to submit to the laws of nature. According to the creation myth, humans were made from elements of nature, so they had to live in total submission to its laws [21].

Some examples of pepatah are:

  • dalam laut dapat diduga, dalam hati siapa tahu (we can assume the depth of the sea, but we cannot assume what is in people's hearts).
  • ada gula, ada semut (where there is sugar, there are ants)
  • malu bertanya, sesat di jalan (if you are shy about asking questions, you will get lost on your way)
Adat social structure

Adat not only encompasses tradition, custom, convention and law, but also dictates a form of social structure. The social structure bound by a common adat was typified by small-scale communities of people living in villages or of wandering as nomads over a specific area. These communities were somewhat like miniature democratic republics. Their headmen were elected from the descendants of the oldest branch of the tribe, and they saw to the needs and interests of the community, assisted by a council of elders. Important decisions were made by collective deliberations, called mupakat. In a democracy of this type, in which a premium is put on unanimity of opinions, the position of the balai, the building in which meetings and discussions were held, was extremely important. Balai can be ragarded centers of social life within these small communities [22].

The principal duty of the village government was to administer the adat handed down from generation to generation, and to settle any disputes that might arise. The scope of administration within indigenous Indonesian society was very broad compared to the scope of modern government. In addition to attending to the daily needs of the community, it included such duties as the regulation of marriage ceremonies, crop cultivation, distribution of the harvest, and division of legacies. [23].


Chinese school

Chinese migrants between 1122-222 B.C.E. introduced Taoism and Confucianism to indigenous Indonesians [24]. The two foreign philosophies were diffused and mingled with ethnic philosophies, so that they could no longer be distinguished. [25]. One remnant of the diffused philosophy, which is still practiced by all Indonesians, is the Confucian notion of hsiao (Pinyin: 'Xiao', 孝; Indonesian: menghormati orangtua), that an individual must respect his parents above other things. The Chinese school seems to be exclusive, and confined to the Chinese ethnic minority in Indonesia. Nevertheless, it made significant contributions to the Indonesian philosophical tradition.

During the early 1900’s Sun Yat-senism, Maoism, and Neo-maoism became widespread in all areas of Indonesia, as the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) experienced rapid growth. [26].

The main philosophers of the Chinese school include Tjoe Bou San, Kwee Hing Tjiat, Liem Koen Hian, Kwee Kek Beng, and Tan Ling Djie.

Indian school

The diffusion of philosophies continued with the arrival of Hindu Brahmans and Buddhists of Indian origin in between 322 B.C.E.-700 C.E.. They introduced Hindi and Buddhist cultures to the native peoples, who synthesized the two into a combination known as Tantrayana. This synthesis is clearly evident in the Borobudur Temple built by the Sailendra Dynasty in 800-850 C.E. (SarDesai, 1989:44-47). Rabindranath Tagore, an Indian philosopher who visited Borobudur, remarked that the temple was un-Indian, since the relics engraved on it represented workers dressed in native Javanese style. He also noted that the native Javanese dances inspired by Indian epics were not similar to Indian dances, although the dances of both countries originated from the same Indian source.

Hinduism and Buddhism—two philosophies that contradict each other in India—as well as Javanese local philosophy were reconciled in Indonesia by the genius of Sambhara Suryawarana, Mpu Prapanca, and Mpu Tantular.


Islamic school

The 10th-century Indianization of Indonesia was rivaled by the coming of Persian Sufism, which began to enter native philosophical discourse in the early 1400’s. The spread of Sufism was encouraged by the founding of massive Islamic kingdoms and sultanates in Indonesia [27]. Kings and sultans such as Sunan Giri, Sunan Gunungjati, Sunan Kudus, Sultan Trenggono of Demak, Pakubuwana II, Pakubuwana IV, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa of Banten, Sultan Alauddin Riayat Syah, Engku Hajji Muda Raja Abdallah and Raja Muhammad Yusuf were sufi-kings who learned from eminent Sufi teachers [28].

Sufism in Indonesia can be divided to two schools: Ghazalism from Al-Ghazali’s teachings and Ibn Arabism from Ibn Arabi’s doctrines. Prominent Sufis from the Al-Ghazali line were Nuruddin Al-Raniri, Abdurrauf Al-Singkeli, Abd al-Shamad Al-Palimbangi, and Syekh Yusuf Makassar; from the Ibn Arabi line were Hamzah Al-Fansuri, Al-Sumatrani, and Syekh Siti Jenar. [29].

Arabian Wahhabism was also adopted by King Pakubuwono IV and Tuanku Imam Bonjol, who took on the mission of eradicating Sufism and encouraging Qur'an teachings instead [30].

At the end of the 1800s, Islamic modernism, a synthesis of Islamic teachings and Western Enlightenment philosophy initiated by Muhammad Abduh and Jamal al-din Al-Afghani in Egypt prevailed all over the Islamic world. Moslems in Indonesia also adopted modernism, as shown in the works of Syaikh Ahmad Khatib, Syaikh Thaher Djalaluddin, Abdul Karim Amrullah, Ahmad Dahlan, Mohammad Natsir, Oemar Said Tjokroaminoto, Agus Salim, and Misbach. [31].


Christian school

Christianity arrived among Indonesian peddlers in the middle of the 15th century, brought by Portuguese traders and Catholic missionaries. [32]. First the Portuguese, and then the Dutch, spread Catholicism and Calvinism respectively. Francis Xavier, the first Spanish Catholic to come to Indonesia, translated Credo, Confession Generalis, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Salve Regina, and The Ten Commandments into Malay between 1546 and 1547, to propagate Catholicism among the native peoples. [33]. Catholic churches were established and attracted significant numbers of followers, but they were soon expelled or forced to convert to Calvinism by Dutch Calvinists who came to Indonesia around 1596 and erected Dutch Reformed Churches in their place. Pieterszoon Coen, one of the Governor-Generals of VOC (Dutch East India Company), put all Calvinist preachers (in Dutch, Ziekentroosters) under his control in 1618. [34].

Portuguese-style Catholic schools and Dutch-style Calvinist educational institutions were opened for Indonesians, where Western missionaries and teachers trained in European universities taught Christian philosophy along with theology. [35]. Graduates of these universities include Christian philosophers such as Nico Syukur Dister, J.B. Banawiratma, Robert J. Hardawiryana, JB.. Mangunwijaya, and T.H. Sumartana. Private Catholic and Protestant universities continue to teach Christian philosophy in Indonesia today.

Western school

In the early 1900’s, the Dutch colonial government in Indonesia implemented ‘The Ethical Politics’ (Politik Etis) and opened Dutch-style educational institutions for children of the noble, feudal classes who wanted to work in colonial institutions. The Dutch-speaking schools taught Western philosophy, including Enlightenment philosophy. [36]. Many alumni of these schools continued their studies at European universities, and soon emerged as a new elite in Indonesia, the first generation of a European-style intelligentsia advocating Western philosophy.

Western philosophy inspired most of the modern Indonesian socio-political institutions. Indonesia’s republican government, its constitution and power structure, its political parties and its long-term national economic planning were carried out on Western models. Even its ideology, Pancasila, was inspired by Western concepts of humanism and social-democracy. The influence of Nazi national socialism is evident in the speeches of members of BPUPKI, a preparatory council for Indonesian independence, in August, 1945 [37].

Though the elite embraced Western philosophy whole-heartedly, they felt the need to adapt it to the contemporary political reality in Indonesia. Soekarno’s Guided Democracy was an adaption of Western democracy to a society that was still feudalistic. (Soekarno 1963:376). D.N. Aidit and Tan Malaka adapted Marxism-Leninism to the Indonesian situation [38] [39] and Sutan Syahrir adapted social democracy to an Indonesian context [40].


Pancasila and post-Soeharto philosophy

During his authoritarian presidency (1966 – 1998), Soeharto elaborated an official state philosophy called Pancasila, (pronounced IPA: [panʧaˈsila]) from the Sanskrit words, panca meaning five, and sila meaning principles, comprised of five interrelated principles:

  1. Belief in the one and only God,
  2. Just and civilized humanity,
  3. the unity of Indonesia
  4. Democracy led by wise guidance through consultation/representation (representative democracy)
  5. social justice for the whole Indonesian people.

Pancasila was intended to resolve the conflicts among Muslims, nationalists, Hindus and Christians by identifying basic principles acceptable to all of them. It was made a mandatory component of the constitutions of social and religious organizations, and all candidates for higher education were required to take a one– or two–week course in Pancasila. Under Soeharto, the official Culture and Education Department (Depdikbud) was tasked with finding elements of indigenous Indonesian culture to support the concept that these five principles had been deeply embedded in Indonesian life long before the arrival of any foreign influences.

Critics of Pancasila pointed out that it was primarily a political instrument and did not represent genuine philosophical inquiry, particularly since the government brutally suppressed any ideas that did not support the objectives of its “New Order.” Others pointed out that the first principle, belief in one God, did not accommodate indigenous beliefs in plural deities. [41]. In spite of government repression, some intellectuals began to publicly dissent and philosophize. This group, known as the post-Soeharto philosophers, includes Sri-Bintang Pamungkas, Budiman Sudjatmiko, Muchtar Pakpahan, Sri-Edi Swasono, and Pius Lustrilanang.

Notes

  1. J. Larope, IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies), Surabaya , Penerbit Palapa , 1986:4
  2. SarDesai 1989:9-13
  3. Professor emeritus, of Philosophy at Universitas Indonesia
  4. M. Nasroen, Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy), Jakarta, Penerbit Bulan Bintang, 1967 :14, 24, 25, 33, and 38
  5. Sunoto, Menuju Filsafat Indonesia (Towards Indonesian Philosophy), Yogyakarta, Hanindita Offset, 1987:ii
  6. R. Parmono, Menggali Unsur-Unsur Filsafat Indonesia (Digging up Elements of Indonesian Philosophy), Yogyakarta, Andi Offset, 1985:iii
  7. Jakob Sumardjo, Mencari Sukma Indonesia (Seeking The Indonesian Soul), Yogyakarta, AK Group, 2003:113
  8. Whether or not any of the other several hundred local languages possess an abstract concept of philosophy has not yet been established.
  9. S. Takdir Alisjahbana, Indonesia in The Modern World,translated into English by Benedict R. Anderson, New Delhi, Prabhakar Padhye, 1961, 1977:6-7)
  10. Lecturer at Universitas Pembangunan Nasional 'Veteran' Jakarta
  11. Ferry Hidayat, Pengantar Menuju Filsafat Indonesia, 2005, unpublished paper.
  12. Sumardjo 2003:23, 25
  13. Sumardjo 2003:53
  14. Sumardjo 2003:58
  15. Sumardjo 2003:22
  16. Alisjahbana 1961:13-14
  17. Michael Hopes, Madrah T. Dalmasius, and Karaakng. Temputn: myths of the Benuaq and Tunjung Dayak. Jakarta: Puspa Swara and Rio Tinto Foundation. 1997. ISBN:9798955498 9789798955495:1-19
  18. Michael Hopes & Karaakng 1997:29-41
  19. Sumardjo 2002:296-324
  20. M. Nasroen, Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy), Jakarta, Penerbit Bulan Bintang, 1967:27
  21. Nasroen 1967:30
  22. Alisjahbana 1961:14-15
  23. Alisjahbana 1961:15
  24. J. Larope, IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies), Surabaya , Penerbit Palapa , 1986:4
  25. SarDesai 1989:9-13
  26. Leo Suryadinata, Mencari Identitas Nasional: Dari Tjoe Bou San sampai Yap Thiam Hien (Seeking National Identity: from Tjoe Bou San to Yap Thiam Hien), Jakarta, LP3ES, 1990:15
  27. Nasroen 1991:262
  28. Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia, Pengaruh Islam terhadap Budaya Jawa dan Sebaliknya: Seri Kliping Perpustakaan Nasional dalam Berita Vol.II No.1 (Clips about The Islam Influence on Javanese Culture and Vice Versa), Jakarta, Sub Bagian Humas Perpustakaan Nasional RI, 2001:12-39
  29. Nasroen 1991:282-287
  30. Hamka., Perkembangan Kebatinan di Indonesia (The Development of Esotericism in Indonesia), Jakarta, Bulan Bintang, 1971:62-64
  31. Noor, Deliar, Gerakan Modern Islam di Indonesia 1900-1942 (The Moslem Modernist Movement in Indonesia 1900-1942), Jakarta, LP3ES, 1996:37
  32. Mochtar Lubis., Indonesia: Land under The Rainbow, Singapore, Oxford University Press, 1990, ISBN 0-19-588977-0:78
  33. Lubis:85
  34. Lubis 1990:99
  35. Finngeir Hiorth, Philosophers in Indonesia: South East Asian Monograph Series No.12, Townsville, James Cook University of North Queensland, 1983, ISBN 0-86443-083-3 (Australia): 4
  36. J. Larope, IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies), Surabaya, Penerbit Palapa, 1986:236-238
  37. BPUPKI, Risalah Sidang Badan Penyelidik Usaha-Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (BPUPKI) & Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (PPKI) (Proceedings of BPUPKI and PPKI Meetings), Jakarta, Sekretaris Negara Republik Indonesia, 1995:10-79
  38. Aidit, D. N. The Indonesian revolution and the immediate tasks of the Communist Party of Indonesia. Peking: Foreign Languages Press. 1964:i-iv
  39. Malaka, Tan, Aksi Massa (Mass Action), Jakarta, CEDI & Aliansi Press, 2000:45-56
  40. Lindsay Rae, Sutan Syahrir and the Failure of Indonesian Socialism, McIntyre, Angus (ed.), Indonesian Political Biography: In Search of Cross-Cultural Understanding, Victoria, Monash University, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies, 1993. ISSN 0727-6680:46
  41. Hidayat 2004:49-55

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

  • S. Takdir Alisjahbana, Indonesia in The Modern World,translated into English by Benedict R. Anderson, New Delhi, Prabhakar Padhye, 1961.
  • D.N. Aidit, The Indonesian Revolution and The Immediate Tasks of Communist Party of Indonesia, Peking, Foreign Languages Press, 1964.
  • Finngeir Hiorth, Philosophers in Indonesia: South East Asian Monograph Series No.12, Townsville, James Cook University of North Queensland, (Australia) 1983. ISBN 0-86443-083-3
  • D.R. SarDesai, Southeast Asia: Past & Present, San Francisco, Westview Press, 1989,
  • Mochtar Lubis., Indonesia: Land under The Rainbow, Singapore, Oxford University Press, 1990. ISBN 0-19-588977-0
  • Syed Hossein Nasr,., Islamic Spirituality II: Manifestations, New York, Crossroad, 1991,

Lindsay Rae,., 1993, chapter = Sutan Syahrir and the Failure of Indonesian Socialism, editor=McIntyre, Angus (ed.), Indonesian Political Biography: In Search of Cross-Cultural Understanding, pages=pp. 43-121, Victoria, Monash University, Centre of Southeast Asian Studies. ISSN 0727-6680


Indonesian ethnic philosophies

  • Lansing, Stephen. (1983). Three Worlds of Bali. Westport: Praeger Publishers. ISBN 0-275-91720-7. 
  • Errington, Frederick Karl. (1984). Manners and Meaning in West Sumatra: The Social Context of Consciousness. New Haven: Yale University Press. ISBN 0-300-03159-9. 
  • Eiseman Jr, Fred B. (1989). Bali Sekala &Niskala: Vol. 1. Essays on Religion, Ritual, and Art. Berkeley and Singapore: PeriPlus Editions. ISBN 0-945971-05-2. 
  • Wikan, Unni (1990). Managing Turbulent Hearts: a Balinese Formula for Living. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. ISBN 0-226-89678-1 (U.S.A). 
  • Tol, Roger (et.al.) (2000). Authority and Enterprise among the Peoples of North Sulawesi. Leiden: KITLV Press. ISBN 90-6718-145-5. 
  • Mrázek, Jan (2005). Phenomenology of a puppet theatre. Contemplations on the art of Javanese wayang kulit. Leiden: KITLV Press. ISBN 90-6718-252-4. 

=Chinese school

  • Heidhues, Mary F. Somer. (1964). Peranakan Chinese Politics in Indonesia. New York and Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 
  • Suryadinata, Leo. (1976). Peranakan Chinese Politics in Java. Singapore: Institute of Southeast Asian Studies. ISBN 981-210-360-0. 
  • Suryadinata, Leo. (1997). The Political Thinking of The Indonesian Chinese 1900-1995. Singapore: Singapore University Press. ISBN 9971-69-201-5. 

Indian school

  • Parkin, Harry. (1978). Batak Fruit of Hindu. Madras: The Christian Literature Society. 
  • Zoetmulder, P.J. (1995). Pantheism and monism in Javanese Suluk literature : Islamic and Indian mysticism in an Indonesian setting. Leiden: KITLV Press. ISSN 0074-0470. 

Islamic school

  • Al-Attas, Syed M. Naquib. (1970). The Mysticism of Hamzah Fansuri. Kuala Lumpur: University of Malaya University Press. 
  • Drewes, G.W.J. (1986). The Poems of Hamzah Fansuri. Dordrecht-Holland: Foris. 
  • Zoetmulder, P.J. (1995). Pantheism and monism in Javanese Suluk literature : Islamic and Indian mysticism in an Indonesian setting. Leiden: KITLV Press. ISSN 0074-0470. 

Western school

  • Feith, Herbert. (1962). The Decline of Constitutional Democracy in Indonesia. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 
  • Feith, Herbert, and Lance Castles (eds.). (1970). Indonesian Political Thinking, 1945-1955. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. 
  • Brackman, Arnold C. (1976). Indonesian Communism: A History. Westport: Greenwood Pub Group. ISBN 0-8371-8419-3. 

References in Indonesian

(In chronological order)

  • Soekarno (1963). Di Bawah Bendera Revolusi (Under the Banner of Revolution). Jakarta: Panitya Penerbitan. 
  • Nasroen, M. (1967). Falsafah Indonesia (Indonesian Philosophy). Jakarta: Penerbit Bulan Bintang. 
  • Hamka. (1971). Perkembangan Kebatinan di Indonesia (The Development of Esotericism in Indonesia). Jakarta: Bulan Bintang. 
  • Alisjahbana, S. Takdir. (1977). Perkembangan Sejarah Kebudayaan Indonesia Ditinjau dari Jurusan Nilai-Nilai (Historical Development of Indonesian Kebudayaan Seen from The Viewpoint of Values). Jakarta: Yayasan Idayu. 
  • Parmono, R. (1985). Menggali Unsur-Unsur Filsafat Indonesia (Digging up Elements of Indonesian Philosophy). Yogyakarta: Andi Offset. 
  • Larope, J. (1986). IPS Sejarah (Historical Studies). Surabaya: Penerbit Palapa. 
  • Sunoto (1987). Menuju Filsafat Indonesia (Towards Indonesian Philosophy). Yogyakarta: Hanindita Offset. 
  • Suryadinata, Leo. (1990). Mencari Identitas Nasional: Dari Tjoe Bou San sampai Yap Thiam Hien (Seeking National Identity: from Tjoe Bou San to Yap Thiam Hien). Jakarta: LP3ES. 
  • BPUPKI (1995). Risalah Sidang Badan Penyelidik Usaha-Usaha Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (BPUPKI) & Panitia Persiapan Kemerdekaan Indonesia (PPKI) (Proceedings of BPUPKI and PPKI Meetings). Jakarta: Sekretaris Negara Republik Indonesia. 
  • Noor, Deliar (1996). Gerakan Modern Islam di Indonesia 1900-1942 (The Moslem Modernist Movement in Indonesia 1900-1942). Jakarta: LP3ES. 
  • Malaka, Tan. (2000). Aksi Massa (Mass Action). Jakarta: CEDI & Aliansi Press. 
  • Perpustakaan Nasional Republik Indonesia (2001). Pengaruh Islam terhadap Budaya Jawa dan Sebaliknya: Seri Kliping Perpustakaan Nasional dalam Berita Vol.II No.1 (Clips about The Islam Influence on Javanese Culture and Vice Versa). Jakarta: Sub Bagian Humas Perpustakaan Nasional RI. 
  • Sumardjo, Jakob. (2003). Mencari Sukma Indonesia (Seeking The Indonesian Soul). Yogyakarta: AK Group. 
  • Hidayat, Ferry. (2004). Sketsa Sejarah Filsafat Indonesia (A Historical Sketch of Indonesian Philosophy). unpublished paper. 
  • Hidayat, Ferry. (2005). Pengantar Menuju Filsafat Indonesia (An Introduction to the Indonesian Philosophy). unpublished paper. 


Portal Indonesian philosophy Portal

id:Filsafat Indonesia

Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.