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An interdisciplinary approach to problem solving relies on the application of many theories in multiple disciplines rather than on the theories of a single discipline or field of study. The crossing of disciplinary boundaries can be difficult. It is hard enough keeping up with the theories of a single discipline, much less multiple disciplines or even cross-disciplinary theories!
The discussion that follows will show how Arabic roots form a natural basis for cross-disciplinary studies. Arabic verbs also yield insight into our mental abstractions and integrated systems of thought that are derived from symbolic constructs in the Arabic language.
Consider the Arabic verb FaTaRa. Several ayat in al-Quran al-Kareem which have various grammatical constructs derived from this verb. They are: 6:14, 6:79, 11:51, 12:101, 14:10, 17:51, 19:90, 20:72, 21:56, 30:30 (occurs twice), 35:1, 36:22, 39:46, 42:5, 42:11, 43:27, 67:3, 73:18, 82:1. The disciplines that are linked by the word FaTaRa are: geology, theology, biology, and astronomy.
Geology
When Umar ibn al-Khattab, Amir al-Muminoon, was asked to decide the case of two bedouin Arabs who were arguing about the ownership of a well (b'ir) one exclaimed, "Ana aftartooha (I originated it)" Umar, may Allah be pleased with him, "This is the first time that I can say that I understand the meaning of the word FaTaRa!"
Theology
The Prophet (saws) informed us that Islam is "deen al-Fitrah" or the natural way of life.
Biology
The end of Ramadan is celebrated on Eid al-Fitr. It is the day of breaking of the fast and returning to our Fitrah.
Astronomy
In Surah 35:1, we read, "Praise be to Allah, Who originated the heavens and earth" for, as we learned in ayah 21:30, they were joined together and Allah, The Exalted, split them apart. The Quranic Arabic and the sayings of the Prophet (saws) gives us insight into the structure of the physical world in which we live and experience. We also gain insight into astronomical and microscopic phenomena which can be observed but because of their vastness or minuteness we do not interact with directly.
Institutions Using Interdisciplinary Studies
Symbolic Systems program is an undergraduate-only interdisciplinary major combining studies from the departments of philosophy, psychology, computer science, and linguistics, as well as optional concentrations in neuroscience and education.
Symbolic Systems attacks age-old questions about the relation between the mind and the world. And how does language and meaning fit into the picture? Does thought require language or some other form of representation, or vice versa? What is it that makes language meaningful? And what is the meaning that language is so full of?
But in the Symbolic Systems Program (SSP), the computer is more than just a tool for simulating the mind. It is part of the very subject matter of the field. Why? Because computer systems, robots, and people are all examples of symbolic systems, they are agents that use meaningful symbols to represent the world around them so as to communicate and generally act in the world. The notions of symbol, meaning, representation, information, and action are at the heart of the study of symbolic systems. This common core of notions arises in a variety of fields including artificial intelligence, computer science, cognitive psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and symbolic logic.
The Fields Institute is a mathematical sciences research facility and supports research in pure and applied mathematics, statistics, computer science, and at the interface of mathematics with a broad spectrum of other disciplines including engineering, mathematical biology, theoretical physics, economics and mathematical finance, telecommunications, and medicine. To support such research, the Institute provides office space for 78 visitors surrounding a three-story central atrium, a 100-seat lecture room and smaller board/seminar room, casual gathering and hospitality space for informal collaboration, and the James Stewart Library.
The Institute for the Interdisciplinary Study of Human & Machine Cognition (IHMC) was founded at The University of West Florida by the Florida legislature in 1990 as an interdisciplinary research unit. The IHMC is interested in identifying and exploiting intellectual and technological nonlinearities. Some of their current research is listed below.
Software tools developed by the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition as part of project Quorum, a joint Partnership with IBM Latin America a few years ago to setup a network of k-12 schools throughout Latin America and investigate issues of collaboration between students from different schools, countries and regions, are now a product from IBM.
Conclusion
Examining the attempts at solving problems using cross-disciplines has provided much insight into our physical and mental worlds. It allows an individual to take thoughts and ideas from multiple perspectives in order to solve problems and bring about new theoretical and physical understanding. This effort is vital towards having a holistic perspective not only understanding specific theories and studies, but towards understanding the world as a whole. In essence, when one studies things that have been created, it must eventually lead them back to that which created them, thus leading us back to our Creator. Allah says in chapter 41, verse 53 of the Qur'an, "Soon We will show them our signs in the furthest regions of the earth, and in their own souls until it becomes manifest to them the this is the truth. Is it not enough that your Lord witnesses all things?" In this verse, God is reminding us of all the creations throughout the Universe and within our ownselves and how they lead back to His magnificence. So too does it remind us of the different branches of creation that are somehow intertwined with one another. From studying these branches separately as well as together, we are permitted by the mercy of God to come to a greater understanding of science and how the world works.
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