THIS IS A VERY DIRECT TRANSLATE OF CTU FOUNDATION NOTES.
CHAPTER 3: AKHLAK DALAM SAINS DAN TECHNOLOGI
According to Islam's perspective, the definition of character(akhlak) differs from the definition of moral because character has a spiritual dimension and the relationship is integral to al-khaliq. It's nature of absolute because the limits are already written in al-Quran and as-sunnah. A good character in Islam's perspective is the incarnation from a good religious faith while no character or having a bad character is the manifestation of low in religious faith.
The importance of character in a Muslim's life is not only in affairs of worship(pengibadatan) or in social life , but also important in knowledge activities including science and technology. science and technology will give great benefits not only in worldly affairs(urusan duniawi) but also bring rahmat to human race in this world and the afterworld if it is compared with a good character.
DEFINITION OF SCIENCE
the meaning of science is some kind of knowledge that is produced through observations as well as understandings that is born from it. It can also means elaboration systematically based on phenomenon of tabii or natural phenomenon. According to Encarta Encyclopedia, science in a large scope have a meaning of knowledge that can be obtained through systematic based on experience of sense which can be proven objectively. In conclusion, science can be summarized as one compilation of human knowledge that is collected by research and can be accepted by the mind.
DEFINITION OF CHARACTER (AKHLAK)
The word character(akhlak) comes from arab, which is plural from the word khuluq. In terms of language, it means good character, behaviour, habit or knowledge related to human behaviour whether it is good or bad.
According to Al-Ghazali, character is a nature that is inside of us and from it, form actions easily without needing to think about it first. However, Ibn Makaswaiyh said that akhlak actually meant the condition of the soul that encourage a person to do an action without needing to think about it first. He divided it to two; 1. A person's tabi'e , which is based on the nature of the person, such as easily gets mad about small mistakes, easily shocked, easily give up and etc. 2. The soul that is formed from exercises and habits. It goes through two stages, which is the consideration stage and thorough thinking, and also a stage to predict a good occurrence until it becomes a habit in someone's life.