The Islamic root of sympathy based morality: a case study of Adam Smith, Darwin and their relation with the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him)
What brings morality into existence found extensive interpretation since ancient times and one is more persuading than the other. However, following the enlightenment’s empirical approach to which Darwin and Adam Smith turned their attention for every moral dilemma lies in the concept of Sympathy...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Institute of Social Sciences & Development
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://irep.iium.edu.my/101104/1/101104_The%20Islamic%20root%20of%20sympathy.pdf http://irep.iium.edu.my/101104/ https://afkar.com.pk/previousissues/Vol_6/Issue_1/article02(eng).pdf |
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| Summary: | What brings morality into existence found extensive interpretation since ancient times and
one is more persuading than the other. However, following the enlightenment’s empirical
approach to which Darwin and Adam Smith turned their attention for every moral dilemma
lies in the concept of Sympathy. Both the authors believe, though without logical proof but
based on the observation that it is the innate consciousness of Sympathy towards fellow
beings responsible for the judgment on morality. Adam smith combined the struggle and
sentiments as the sole premise to judge an ethical approach in society. Darwin with his
concept of the evolution struggled to explain that sympathy in human lineage evolved into
social instincts that gave it a more general flavor, strict empiricism. The question this article
formulates is that was the concept of morality based on sympathy was a new and Western
concept? Therefore, at first this article will detail the concepts of sympathy understood by
Adam Smith and Darwin. It will highlight the process and situation behind such approach
contextualizing the role of evolution. In the second part this article will discuss this concept
of sympathy based morality in the teachings of the Prophet of Islam (peace be upon him)
where he not only understood the nature of human existence but also evolved a new Medinan
society. Moreover, it shows the contrasts and similarities between Islamic and Western
understanding of sympathy based morality. Hence, it opens a new window to look at
intellectual heritage and their relations. |
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