Difference between revisions of "Human nature"
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* [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. | ||
| − | * '''2007-03-22''' | + | * '''2007-03-22''' {{link.reg.free|http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/22/science/22brain.html|Brain Injury Said to Affect Moral Choices}}: the ventromedial prefrontal cortex appears to be responsible for the human reluctance to hurt one person in order to save the lives of others, as well as human compassion in general |
* '''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. | ||
Revision as of 18:00, 27 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 Pages
- 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.
- Humans seem wired for religion in many ways.
- There is some anecdotal evidence that indignation may be addictive.
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.
- 2007-03-22 [reg req]Brain Injury Said to Affect Moral Choices: the ventromedial prefrontal cortex appears to be responsible for the human reluctance to hurt one person in order to save the lives of others, as well as human compassion in general
- 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.
Other Stuff
- the Milgram experiment
- that subjugation experiment which I know I have made notes on somewhere but can't find at the moment