By Andi Jumardi at Sabtu, 02 Maret 2019

Developing Human Creativity through Balancing Masculine and Feminine Character: Qur’anic Perspectives

Penulis: Dr. Nur Arfiyah Febriani, M.A.

Creativity is an expression of our unique perspective to a situation or problem. It transcends our desire to be part of the group (Walonic, 1999). Abraham Maslow referred to self-actualization as the need to express our individual talents and become the best that we can. It is a drive to fulfill our potential. Maslow identified fifteen traits of a self-actualized person. These included highly valued traits such as self-acceptance, spontaneity, independence, tolerance, altruism, ethics, and capable of loving others. (Wycoff, 1991) David Perkins, of Harvard University, has identified several other traits common in creative people: 1) They have a drive to find order in a chaotic situation. 2) They are interested in unusual problems, as well as solutions. 3) They have the ability to make new connections and challenge traditional assumptions. 4) They temper idea creation by testing and judgment. 5) They enjoy pushing the boundaries of their competence. 6) They are motivated by the problem itself, rather than any kind of reward or recognition. (Wycoff, 1991)

Febriani (2014) also has identified several human characters in feminine (intuition oriented) and masculine (cognitive oriented), both of this character having positive and negative values. In Quranic perspectives, feminine and masculine character with positive values could developping human creativity:


From the description, it is understood that, feminine character is “Enchant character” and masculine character is a “Glory character”, both of these characters are needed to developing human creativity, which was not only dependent on intuition and cognitive aspects, but also depends on the spiritual and social dimensions. In the Qur’an, human creativity, not in spite of the integrity of the three dimensions of human being as an individual beings, social and spiritual. The purpose of human creativity in the Qur'an, in order to create the innovative creativity, useful in the sense of not harm any party for humans and the environment, and the results of creative are responsible for human as an individual beings, social and spiritual.

Febriani expression has some similarities with Nathanson in his article "Emotional illness and creativity…" (2000), and Maria de Fatima Morais et al in "Cognitive dimension of creativity..." (2009), that human creativity is dependent on peace of emotion and cognitive dimensions. Thus, the balance of feminine and masculine character who has a positive value in the Qur’an to developing human creativity is justified in science.