Ibn Khaldun’s discourse on the importance of knowledge and ethics in youth human capital development

Abstract

Human capital development among youths should be given due attention in a country’s development process. This is due to the fact that youths are the catalyst that would determine the progress or retrogression of a nation. Youth human capital development should be seriously constructed through the educational process. Elements such as religious knowledge and values should be sown so that the human capitals that will lead a country in future are made up of human resources that have excellent qualities. This article will specifically discuss about the issues and problems that affect young people nowadays with reference to Ibn Khaldun’s theory through his monumental work, al-Muqaddimah. This research uses content analysis approach and will analyze the data based on the available literatures. The findings show that early childhood education, correct understanding on the basic goal of human creation, a good and integrated system of education that combines scientific and religious knowledge, appreciation of the contents of the Quran, inculcation of good manners and ethics and cultivation of awareness among members of the society about the challenges of modern lifestyle and globalization are among the most important factors that should be inculcated in a society to ensure a sustainable style of living and continuity of a civilization.