The Arabs and the Ottomans had a different perspective on education.

For them, it was not just about gradually building up dry knowledge from an early age, but first and foremost about character development. People who intended to go through the intellectual school had to learn humility and decency first. For example, the decency to recognize that there are other opinions. Or the humility that is demanded of you when you are faced with an ocean of knowledge.

To this end, students first served their teacher and thus prepared themselves for upcoming challenges. They went shopping for their teachers at the market, washed their laundry, etc., without a word of complaint. And when the teacher eventually decided, 'you are ready for higher knowledge,' then it was time to get to the heart of the matter.

This long prevented the breeding of arrogant intellectuals. 

 This is a great point, the Tariqa/Madrassa model, as someone who wrestles with God, I admire this philosophy of education! We could learn something in the west from this. 🤗 

 Very interesting. I definitely think building character needs to return to whatever comes next.