Contemporary Secular Approaches to the Origin and Study of Man: An Islamic Critique
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53449/ije.v3i2.135Keywords:
evolution of man, creation of man, Islamic epistemology, contemporary psychology, secularismAbstract
This paper critically analyses contemporary secular psychological approaches to the origin and methodological study of man from an Islamic perspective. The paper argues that the contemporary theories on human existence and behaviour emerged from secularism which has taken a philosophical view that the world and all that it contains is a result of evolution. Both the ontology and epistemology of research have been influenced by this view point. Thus, the behaviour of man is defined and studied to exclude his spiritual dimension, a direct conflict with the Islamic view point which links every creature and its behaviour to the creation and guidance of Allah. It is recommended that an integrative methodological approach be adopted to cater for both the materialistic and spiritual aspects of man.
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