The human dark side: evolutionary psychology and original sin. 2014

Joseph Lee, and M Theol
Department of Theology, Flinders University, G.P.O. Box 2100, Adelaide, SA, 5032, Australia, joseph.lee@flinders.edu.au.

Human nature has a dark side, something important to religions. Evolutionary psychology has been used to illuminate the human shadow side, although as a discipline it has attracted criticism. This article seeks to examine the evolutionary psychology's understanding of human nature and to propose an unexpected dialog with an enduring account of human evil known as original sin. Two cases are briefly considered: murder and rape. To further the exchange, numerous theoretical and methodological criticisms and replies of evolutionary psychology are explored jointly with original sin. Evolutionary psychology can partner with original sin since they share some theoretical likenesses and together they offer insights into the nature of what it means to be human.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D011584 Psychology The science dealing with the study of mental processes and behavior in man and animals. Factors, Psychological,Psychological Factors,Psychological Side Effects,Psychologists,Psychosocial Factors,Side Effects, Psychological,Factor, Psychological,Factor, Psychosocial,Factors, Psychosocial,Psychological Factor,Psychological Side Effect,Psychologist,Psychosocial Factor,Side Effect, Psychological
D011902 Rape Sexual intercourse without consent of the victim.
D012069 Religion and Psychology The interrelationship of psychology and religion. Psychology and Religion,Psychology, Religion,Religion, Psychology
D003415 Crime A violation of the criminal law, i.e., a breach of the conduct code specifically sanctioned by the state, which through its administrative agencies prosecutes offenders and imposes and administers punishments. The concept includes unacceptable actions whether prosecuted or going unpunished. Kidnapping,Poaching,Crimes,Kidnappings
D005075 Biological Evolution The process of cumulative change over successive generations through which organisms acquire their distinguishing morphological and physiological characteristics. Evolution, Biological
D006708 Homicide The killing of one person by another. Murder,Killing,Wrongful Death,Death, Wrongful,Deaths, Wrongful,Homicides,Killings,Murders,Wrongful Deaths
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D040821 Human Characteristics The fundamental dispositions and traits of humans. (Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th ed) Human Nature,Characteristic, Human,Characteristics, Human,Human Characteristic,Nature, Human

Related Publications

Joseph Lee, and M Theol
April 1950, Psychoanalytic review,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
October 2017, Science (New York, N.Y.),
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
March 2019, Bioelectricity,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
January 1951, Psyche; revue internationale des sciences de l'homme et de psychanalyse,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
April 2008, Trauma, violence & abuse,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
August 1950, The Linacre quarterly,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
May 1958, The New England journal of medicine,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
September 1970, Tubercle,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
October 2015, The Journal of general virology,
Joseph Lee, and M Theol
November 2001, Clinical immunology (Orlando, Fla.),
Copied contents to your clipboard!