The Role of Classical Poetry in the Development of Critical Thinking: Clarity, Accuracy, and Reflection in Rumi’s Masnavi


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Cançelik A., Gürsoy A., Okur H., Genç M. F.

Journal of Al-Tamaddun, cilt.21, sa.1, ss.233-247, 2026 (Scopus) identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 1
  • Basım Tarihi: 2026
  • Doi Numarası: 10.22452/jat.vol21no1.14
  • Dergi Adı: Journal of Al-Tamaddun
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Index Islamicus, MLA - Modern Language Association Database, Directory of Open Access Journals
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.233-247
  • Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
  • Kocaeli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

This paper investigates how classical poetry, particularly Jalaluddin Rumi’s Masnavi, contributes to the development of critical thinking skills. It specifically analyzes the story of Moses and the shepherd to demonstrate how poetic narrative can serve as a medium for cultivating essential cognitive abilities such as clarity, accuracy, logical consistency, evidence-based reasoning, creativity, open-mindedness, and reflection. Using qualitative content analysis, the study identifies and categorizes these critical thinking principles within the text and explores their pedagogical implications. The analysis shows that Masnavi encourages readers to move beyond rigid dogmatism, promoting intellectual openness and reflective engagement through allegorical storytelling. The findings affirm that classical poetry is not only a vehicle for spiritual insight but also a valuable tool for fostering critical thinking in educational and ethical contexts.

This paper investigates how classical poetry, particularly Jalaluddin Rumi’s Masnavi, contributes to the development of critical thinking skills. It specifically analyzes the story of Moses and the shepherd to demonstrate how poetic narrative can serve as a medium for cultivating essential cognitive abilities such as clarity, accuracy, logical consistency, evidence-based reasoning, creativity, open-mindedness, and reflection. Using qualitative content analysis, the study identifies and categorizes these critical thinking principles within the text and explores their pedagogical implications. The analysis shows that Masnavi encourages readers to move beyond rigid dogmatism, promoting intellectual openness and reflective engagement through allegorical storytelling. The findings affirm that classical poetry is not only a vehicle for spiritual insight but also a valuable tool for fostering critical thinking in educational and ethical contexts.