The Formation of the Integral Human Being from the Perspective of Consciousness: Ibn Sina and Santiago Ramón y Cajal
Journal of Indonesian Islamic Studies. May 3, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.24256/jiis.v5i2.11522 via OpenAlex
Summary
The study presents a conceptual synthesis of consciousness from the perspectives of Ibn Sina and Santiago Ramón y Cajal, highlighting their complementary views. Ibn Sina sees consciousness as a manifestation of the soul through intellect, while Cajal focuses on neuronal organization and neuroplasticity as its biological basis. Together, these insights create a model for integral human development that encompasses biological, intellectual, spiritual, and moral dimensions, contributing to interdisciplinary scholarship and educational foundations.
Study at a glance
| Design | library research |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Ibn Sina's view of consciousness as a manifestation of the soul complements Cajal's biological perspective, together forming a model for integral human development. |
Abstract
The formation of the integral human being requires an understanding of biological, intellectual, spiritual, and moral dimensions. However, studies integrating Islamic philosophy and modern neuroscience in explaining this formation remain limited. This study examines the concepts of consciousness proposed by Ibn Sina and Santiago Ramón y Cajal and formulates a conceptual synthesis for integral human development. Using library research with a comparative approach, the study analyzes Ibn Sina’s Aḥwāl al-Nafs and Al-Najāh, alongside Cajal’s Texture of the Nervous System of Man and the Vertebrates and Advice for a Young Investigator. Data were analyzed through concept identification, classification, comparison, interpretation, and synthesis. The findings show that Ibn Sina understands consciousness as a manifestation of the soul (al-nafs) actualized through intellect (al-‘aql) toward intellectual, spiritual, and moral maturity. In contrast, Cajal explains consciousness through neuronal organization, the nervous system, and neuroplasticity as the biological basis of cognition. These perspectives are complementary, producing a model of integral human formation that unifies biological, intellectual, spiritual, and moral dimensions. This study contributes to interdisciplinary scholarship and provides a holistic foundation for education, character development, and future human-development research.