Difference between revisions of "Human nature"

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There seems to be a basic disagreement regarding [[human nature]], i.e. the basic immutable ingredients of how humans behave.
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==Overview==
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Human beings, although generally lacking in strong instinctive behavior, do have certain innate tendencies that are not driven by pure reason.
 
''Note: this whole page needs to be revised in light of the whole [[wikipedia:Thomas Hobbes|Hobbes]] vs. [[wikipedia:Jean-Jacques Rousseau|Rousseau]] thing. --[[User:Woozle|Woozle]] 16:20, 27 July 2006 (EDT)''
 
''Note: this whole page needs to be revised in light of the whole [[wikipedia:Thomas Hobbes|Hobbes]] vs. [[wikipedia:Jean-Jacques Rousseau|Rousseau]] thing. --[[User:Woozle|Woozle]] 16:20, 27 July 2006 (EDT)''
 
==Related Articles==
 
==Related Articles==
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* An individual's or group's opinion about what constitutes [[human nature]] may be closely related to that individual's or group's views on [[morality]].
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* There are many [[beliefs about human nature]] which influence people's views on [[morality]].
 
* The [[authoritarian mindset]], for many years the subject of casual discussion but suspected by many to be an oversimplification, now has powerful scientific evidence supporting it.
 
* The [[authoritarian mindset]], for many years the subject of casual discussion but suspected by many to be an oversimplification, now has powerful scientific evidence supporting it.
 
==Links==
 
==Links==
 
* [http://www.brainstages.net/4thr.html The Fourth 'R', or Why Johnny Can't Reason] by Dr. Herman T. Epstein: amazingly, studies show that over half of adult humans are "stuck" at a non-abstract level of reasoning. This information needs to be taken into account when planning the future of civilization, as it indicates that most people ''are not capable of the level of reasoning necessary to make sound decisions on major issues'' without depending on the opinions of others.
 
* [http://www.brainstages.net/4thr.html The Fourth 'R', or Why Johnny Can't Reason] by Dr. Herman T. Epstein: amazingly, studies show that over half of adult humans are "stuck" at a non-abstract level of reasoning. This information needs to be taken into account when planning the future of civilization, as it indicates that most people ''are not capable of the level of reasoning necessary to make sound decisions on major issues'' without depending on the opinions of others.
 
* '''2007-01-22''' [http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/01/22/hscout601147.html Why Do Good? Brain Study Offers Clues]: People may not perform selfless acts just for an emotional reward, a new brain study suggests. Instead, they may do good because they're acutely tuned into the needs and actions of others. New research at Duke University shows that a piece of the brain linked to perceiving others' intentions shows more activity in people who display unselfish behavior, and less in those who act more selfishly.
 
* '''2007-01-22''' [http://www.forbes.com/forbeslife/health/feeds/hscout/2007/01/22/hscout601147.html Why Do Good? Brain Study Offers Clues]: People may not perform selfless acts just for an emotional reward, a new brain study suggests. Instead, they may do good because they're acutely tuned into the needs and actions of others. New research at Duke University shows that a piece of the brain linked to perceiving others' intentions shows more activity in people who display unselfish behavior, and less in those who act more selfishly.
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==Definitions==
 
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Some tentative definitions:
 
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* '''Good behavior''' is behavior which is intended to help the community, regardless of whether it helps the acting individual.
 
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* '''Bad behavior''' is that which is destructive of the community, regardless of whether it helps the acting individual.
 
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In both of the above, it is generally the ''intention'' which determines the goodness or badness of the behavior, though intention can often be difficult to determine. There is strong evidence that individuals may believe that a set of behavior is in the best interest of the community in spite of clear evidence to the contrary; this is generally known as [[denial]], or "deceiving yourself". Also, when complicated issues arise, individuals may disagree strongly about whether particular actions will help or harm the community. Thus it is not always easy to be sure whether behavior is good or bad.
 
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Certain types of behavior are defined as "bad" purely in terms of what actions are taken, usually because such actions can only be interpreted, within reason, as harmful to the community. Such actions are called [[crime]], and result in [[punishment]] and perhaps [[incarceration]], depending on the severity of the transgression.
 
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==Theories==
 
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===Humans Are Bad===
 
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One belief is that humans are innately evil or at least self-centered, and need strong laws to keep them behaving in a way that is best for the community. From this basic premise emerge ideas such as [[disciplinarianism]], [[conformity]], [[fundamentalism]], and [[evangelism]], as well as ideas such as [[accountability]] and [[responsbility]], and some components of [[individualism]]. This point of view tends to be described as [[conservative]].
 
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===Humans Are Good===
 
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Another belief is that humans basically want to please others and cause good things to happen, and the most they need is a little encouragement and guidance in order to learn the best ways of doing this. Ideas emerging from this premise include [[tolerance]], [[forgiveness]], and nonconformity, as well as some components of [[individualism]]. This point of view tends to be described as [[liberal]].
 
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===Alternatives===
 
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It seems more likely that there is a range of innate human qualities, rather than a pair of polar opposites. Some individual humans do wish to please others, and will go to great lengths to avoid selfish behavior, while others will take any excuse to behave selfishly if they think they can get away with it. Some individuals who behave well under ordinary circumstances will panic and begin acting selfishly under stress, while others will endure extraordinary stress – up to and including death – without lapsing into selfish behavior. Still other appear to be incapable of acting selflessly under any circumstances.
 
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==Arguments==
 
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It has been suggested that studies such as the [[Wikipedia:Stanford prison experiment|Stanford prison experiment]] and [[Wikipedia:The Third Wave|The Third Wave]] (not to mention the events in Nazi Germany which were the inspiration for the latter) strongly argue in favor of the evilness of human nature. ''Editors note: This should probably be moved onto a separate [[Human nature is bad]] page, with counterarguments and so on. I have the counterarguments, but don't have time to write them down just now.''
 

Revision as of 11:45, 14 March 2007

Overview

Human beings, although generally lacking in strong instinctive behavior, do have certain innate tendencies that are not driven by pure reason. Note: this whole page needs to be revised in light of the whole Hobbes vs. Rousseau thing. --Woozle 16:20, 27 July 2006 (EDT)

Related Articles

Links

  • The Fourth 'R', or Why Johnny Can't Reason by Dr. Herman T. Epstein: amazingly, studies show that over half of adult humans are "stuck" at a non-abstract level of reasoning. This information needs to be taken into account when planning the future of civilization, as it indicates that most people are not capable of the level of reasoning necessary to make sound decisions on major issues without depending on the opinions of others.
  • 2007-01-22 Why Do Good? Brain Study Offers Clues: People may not perform selfless acts just for an emotional reward, a new brain study suggests. Instead, they may do good because they're acutely tuned into the needs and actions of others. New research at Duke University shows that a piece of the brain linked to perceiving others' intentions shows more activity in people who display unselfish behavior, and less in those who act more selfishly.
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