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:star:Is there a distinctive human nature? :star:, 2017_36_adam_and_eve…
:star:Is there a distinctive human nature? :star:
Augustine believed that there is such a thing as human nature
he believed that there was the ideal human nature which god intended to humans
this is seen before the fall of Adam and Eve
the nature that god intended for humans was to be innocent, with people able to live in friendship with one another, untainted by greed and lust and caplable of having a society which did not require repression or harsh authority
After the fall, once sin came into the world, human nature became dominated by cupiditas
everyone has a desire for material pleasures and for 'earthy peace', desires which could never lead anyone to the summum bonus
Augustine would argue that human's are inherently corrupt due to the original sin A world with evil and genuine free will is better than a without choice.
Augustine compared this to a runaway horse, which is better than a stone that stays in place by itself because the stone has no movement or perception of its own.
however it could be argued that
humans have some distinct human nature but different people have different levels of that through the idea of free will
a modern perspective such as evolutionary biologist would argue that humans do have an distinctive human nature which is having a survival instinct - where we are genetically programmed to pursue whatever is in our best interests as individuals and as a society.
Different views on what they see as the distinctive character of humanity in which there aren't just individuals who have character traits but the species as a whole is seen to have character traits too. Some thinkers have gone further and suggested that there is a ' male nature' distinctive from 'female nature' and they have ascribed different qualities to each
In Buddhism for example, there is a distinctive human nature which is characterised by impermanence and suffering (Dukkha) brought about through detachment and desires.
Augustine believes that Sin divided the will so that cupiditas (selfish love) ruled over caritas (generous, selfless love), resulting in uncontrolled desires for power and wealth within human nature.
However, while Augustine believes humans cannot achieve good morality through personal endeavour, it is possible to do so via a relationship with God.
Thomas Hobbes would argue that there is a distinctive human nature: it being human's animalistic nature. Hobbes believes that humans are innately selfish and use reason to overcome their animal instincts to instead build societies.
Jean Jacques Rousseau believes humans have a basic tendency to be generous but society holds them back.
Some Christians believe that there is no such thing as a distinctive human nature, and that each individual may develop their relationship with God in a unique way. That as long as humans live life to the full and without bringing harm to others, differing nature is natural and accepted.
The human nature which God intended was innocence with people able to live in friendship with one another untainted by greed and lust and capable of having a society which didn't require repression or harsh authority. After the fall, once sin had come into the world human nature became dominated by cupiditas with everyone having a desire for material pleasures and for 'earthly peace' desires which could never lead anyone to the summum bonum.
Existential thought rejects the principle of a 'basic human nature,' believing that humans have an individual essence formed by their life-experiences, and choices.
Human Definition- the general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioural traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans.
Kia Neilson - There isn't a distinctive Human Nature that is present across all societies and cultures as anthropologist have investigated practices in other cultures. For example at one time Scandinavians killed their elderly relatives to allow them into Valhalla which differing moral standards challenged the idea of a common natural law within all human societies
Some people believe a distinctive human nature is evident through observing human life and society. That nature is characteristics-based, as seen with men and women. Men being assertive and women passive for example.
Freud believes that there is no distinctive human nature, instead humans are governed d by their individual unconscious desires, repressions and memories.
John Locke, a 17th century philosopher believes there is not a distinctive human nature, instead people are born with a 'tabula rasa' meaning, a blank state. He belives humans are subjected to different influences that lead them to become different sorts of people.
