Faculty of Philosophy UGM has conducted Summer Course on Contemporary Issues on Ethics and Applied Philosophy from 3-9 November 2019. As many as 18 students from Australia, Timor Leste, Nepal, Myanmar, Thailand, the Middle East, and Africa participated in the Summer Course in addition to 6 students from UGM.
The participants took part in courses related to ideology, politics, democracy, and other issues. On Monday (11/4), Prof. Mukhtasar Syamsuddin, Ph.D., gave a lecture on the topic “Pancasila as Ethical Foundation for Political Judgment”.
“The Indonesian politics is based on Pancasila as the state ideology that has been formulated by the founding fathers,” said Mukhtasar.
With the emergence of problems in the political arena and public policy, the question on the role of ethics and applied philosophy becomes vital to answer.
Contemporary issues related to the value of philosophy and ethics that underlie politics and public policy include the protection of minority groups in democracy, political legitimacy in post-truth societies, leadership practices to achieve public welfare, women’s rights, and others.
Mukhtasar also explained the meaning and history of Pancasila and the processes it took to make Pancasila the state ideology. The participants found this interesting as shown by the many questions raised.
Another issue that attracts attention is radicalism. According to Mukhtasar, radicalism is a system of thinking that cannot be underestimated as it forms the basis of the emergence of terrorism.
“Ways of life that are not in line with the meaning and principles of Pancasila can be considered radical. Therefore, in Indonesia there are lessons about Pancasila which are taught not only in higher education institutions but also in primary education,” he said.
The summer course has been designed to bring up the need of practical philosophy and ethics amidst the challenge in public policy and contemporary politics in Indonesia and other countries.
Other topics covered in the course were “Pollster and Political Legitimacy” given by Prof. Mohd Kamarulnizam Abdullah (Universiti Utara Malaysia), “Minorities and Political Rights” by Dr. Jamie Davidson (Singapore), “International Humanitarian Aids and State Sovereignty” by Dr. Lina Gong (RSIS), and “Women Participation in Politics” by Dr. Khin Khin Soe (University of Yangon, Myanmar).
Lecturers from UGM, such as Drs. Agus Wahyudi, M.Si., M.A., Ph.D., Samsul Ma’arif M, S.Fil., M.A, and Achmad Munjid, also gave talks.
