Intended Meaning
In this definition, Shahrur distinguishes between two terms that he does not treat as synonymous: desires and instincts. Desires, in his view, are conscious and human, with a cognitive and social origin, whereas instincts are unconscious and have a physiological origin shared with animals.
Direct Evidence
It appears in Muhammad Shahrur the Book and the Qur’an: “Desires: conscious human desires of cognitive and social origin. Instincts: unconscious desires of physiological origin shared with animals.”
Limit of the Reading
This evidence establishes this definitional distinction, but does not by itself explain how it is applied to immoralities or to an ethical or legal ruling. For a reading of where desires are employed within a broader framework, see Immoralities and Desires Are Interpreted within the Distinction between the Self and History.