The Polemic of Human Development Between Nature and ‎Nurture According to Western and Islamic Perspectives

Abstract

This study discusses the schools of thought related to the perspectives of heredity and environment in human growth and development, drawing on both Western ideologies and Islamic perspectives. Human growth and development are influenced by two primary factors: heredity, or genetic factors (nature), and environmental or educational factors (nurture). Before the terms heredity and environment were introduced, there were already schools of thought supporting both perspectives, and this debate has existed since ancient times. However, to this day, Western scholars remain divided in their opinions and beliefs about which influence dominates human growth and development. The methodology of this study employs content analysis of data obtained from books and documents on the history of schools of thought related to heredity and environment. The data focuses on factors influencing human growth and development by examining the relevant schools of thought. The findings of the study indicate that the schools of Nativism and Naturalism support the heredity perspective, whereas the school of Empiricism supports the environmental perspective. This contradiction and diversity of beliefs have led to the emergence of a new school of thought that combines heredity and environment, known as the school of Convergence. In essence, growth and development involve several aspects, including physical, emotional, mental, linguistic, social, personality, and moral dimensions, which are influenced by both biological and environmental factors. This is because these two factors complement each other and are closely interconnected with the level of human development.

Keywords

• nature
• nurture
• growth
• development
• doctrine