The Evolutionary Explanation of Human Nature in Comparison with the Theory of Fitrah (with an Emphasis on Human as a Moral Being)

Evolutionary biology along with evolutionary psychology consider human nature as evolving, not constant and unchanging. As the biological nature is always exposed to evolutionary flows, human nature is influenced by evolution as a part of the whole. In religious worldview, fitrah (i.e. primordial nature) is an exclusive nature created solely for the human. This nature differs from the one found in inanimate and vegetative beings and is distinct from the “instinct” that exists in animals. In a religious worldview, innateness is a blessing from God to humankind to guide them to perfection and salvation. This paper discussed the biological explanations of human nature with an emphasis on the moral sense and the religious narrative of primordial nature (as the fundamental essence of human nature and what distinguishes them from other beings). In defining the fitrah, we concluded it was possible to consider an expanded meaning that: a) contained the exclusive nature of human beings to distinguish them from other beings; b) was consistent with the biological explanations of human evolution. In this definition, we took the primordial nature in religion equal to rationality in biological views. Both views agreed that the development of this nature led human towards religion and morality.