Document Type : Research
Author
Faculty member of the Department of Islamic Studies, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, Kermanshah University of Technology
Abstract
Anthropology occupies a fundamental position in Nietzsche’s thought and forms the basis of many of his ethical views. By rejecting divine authority and denying any fixed essence for human beings, Nietzsche conceives of the human as a being who must himself create the meaning and values of his own life. From this perspective, fitrah or innate dispositions have no significance in human nature, and the human being is defined primarily by the will to power. Adopting an analytical–critical approach, this article first explicates the main components of Nietzsche’s anthropology and then examines them in light of the theory of fitrah in Islamic theology. Subsequently, the theory of fitrah is introduced as one of the central pillars of Islamic anthropology, and its role in explaining human identity, inclinations, and ultimate purpose is explored. The findings of the study indicate that Nietzsche’s anthropology, due to its neglect of the innate and divine dimension of the human being, faces serious challenges in accounting for the meaning of life and human dignity. In contrast, the theory of fitrah, while acknowledging human dynamism, also affirms the directedness of human existence and thus offers a more coherent and meaningful conception of the human being.
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