Human Nature

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Human Nature

• Why do we do what we do?

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Good vs. Evil

• Is it human nature to do good things.
• bad things?
• What makes us go against this nature?
• How do we define good and bad?
• Is it universally defined?
• Why are some people saints and others sinners?

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State of Nature

• Term in political philosophy used to describe the
  hypothetical condition of humanity before control
  by an outside force is instituted. (i.e. a
  government)
• It is the condition before the rule of positive
  law comes into being (i.e. anarchy.)

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QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

• 1. Is the human animal intrinsically good or bad?
• 2. Do we need to be controlled by authority?
• 3. Why do we accept authority?
• 4. Under what circumstances is authority
  necessary?

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A

• You agree with Thomas Hobbes. Man is evil and
  warlike. Man acts only in his or her own
  self-interest, without regard for others. The
  natural condition of mankind, is a state of
  violence, insecurity and constant threat.

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B

• You agree with Niccolo Machiavelli. Men in
  general are ungrateful, anxious to avoid danger,
  and covetous of gain as long as you benefit
  them, they are entirely yours, but their love is
  held by a chain of obligation which, men being
  selfish, is broken whenever it serves their
  purpose.

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C

• You agree with BF Skinner. Man's behavior
  (nature) is entirely a function of three things
• a persons genetic endowment,
• his past history as an individual (his family,
  his religious experience, his government, his
  schooling, the physical environment in which he
  has lived and so on),
• and the present situation he finds himself in.

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D

• You agree with John Locke. Locke believed that
  human nature is characterized by reason and
  tolerance and left in a nature state, are
  benevolent and good.