FU News - MUARA - The self is a philosophical problem that never finds a definitive end. It always remains a mystery to humans, even though awareness of it is existential, meaning humans can understand themselves directly without mental intermediaries. One of the problems of the self is its alienation.

This was stated by Dr. Fardiana Fikria Qur’any, M.Ud, as the Moderator of the Public Discussion titled "Islamic Philosophy Answers the Problem of Self-Alienation: The Relevance of Classical Thought in the Modern Era." This Public Discussion was part of the Grand Launching series of the Islamic Philosophy Corner of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, held in the H.A.R Partosentono Theater Room on the 4th Floor of FU, on Wednesday (June 25, 2025).

The Dean of the Faculty of Ushuluddin UIN Jakarta, Prof. Ismatu Ropi, M.A., Ph.D, in his welcoming speech, officially inaugurated the Islamic Philosophy Corner, stating that this is the first step in creating young thinkers in the field of Islamic Philosophy in this era of identity crisis.

"The Islamic Philosophy Corner is in line with the vision of the Faculty of Ushuluddin, which is to produce many figures who will later become experts in Islamic studies, especially Islamic Philosophy. Therefore, this is a positive first step because students finally have a strategic space to develop their thoughts, critical thinking, and curiosity," he said.

The Head of the Islamic Philosophy Corner, Dr. Kholid Al Walid, M.Ag., expressed his gratitude for the support provided by the Faculty of Ushuluddin for the establishment of this Islamic Philosophy Corner.

"Thanks to the Faculty of Ushuluddin for strongly supporting the realization of this noble vision. The Islamic Philosophy Corner will be a platform to re-energize the tradition of Islamic philosophical thought, especially among the younger generation. That's why the core management of the Islamic Philosophy Corner also consists of young people," he explained.

The Public Discussion featured experts, including Dr. Rizky Yazid, M.Ag., Lecturer in Philosophy at the Faculty of Ushuluddin; Muhammad Hazir Rahim, M.Ag., Director of MA.WA.RA Institute; and Dr. Rihab Said Aqil, S.psi., M.E.D.(couns), an Islamic Psychology Expert.

Beginning the discussion, Rihab Said Aqil's presentation primarily explained the phenomenon of self-alienation affecting the younger generation today from a psychological perspective.

"Psychologically, the youth phase is susceptible to emotional instability, easily feeling down, easily swayed, easily distracted, and emotionally sensitive. Young people today would say they're 'baperan' (easily offended/emotional)," she said.

According to her, this phenomenon is exacerbated because this era is influenced by the flood of information offered by social media. "Today we are inundated with information, but it impoverishes meaning, eventually leading to phenomena of loneliness and poor adaptability. Not to mention the influence of daily routine pressures and the problem of minimal family support," she added.

Continuing the discussion, Muhammad Hazir Rahim stated that self-alienation is related to happiness, and one way to overcome it is through positive personal relationships and social support.

"When we are in a state of unhappiness, we are actually being invited to go within ourselves, to reflect on ourselves, and to understand what and how we truly are," he said.

Meanwhile, Rizky Yazid took a slightly different perspective, focusing on the book 'The View From Nowhere' by Thomas Nagel, an American Philosophy Professor.

"This book discusses one problem: how to combine an individual's perspective within the world with an objective view of the same world, including that individual and their perspective," he explained.

"This is a problem faced by every creature that has the urge and ability to transcend its particular viewpoint and see the world as a whole. The feeling of alienation from oneself arises when one views oneself from the outside – through a rational and objective viewpoint," he continued.

The public discussion concluded with a question and answer session from the audience, a memento presentation, and a group photo session. Everyone present hoped and believed that the Islamic Philosophy Corner would become a strategic public dialogue space for young thinkers and philosophy enthusiasts in responding to the problems of this era.