"If people are good only because they fear punishment, and hope for reward, then we are a sorry lot indeed."

-Albert Einstein, physicist, Nobel laureate (1879-1955)

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

The Hidden Question of Ethics

Pursuant to today's discussion: your (HW) 150-word comment below: What (essentially) is human nature (like)?

12 comments:

  1. Just what is human nature? Well I think human nature is the way humans act and make decisions each day. Its how we have emotions and use them in the times that are needed. When something bad happens we get angry or sad which is typically human nature. Although there are those few acceptations in which some people don’t express the right emotion during a sad moment for instance where they might not do anything and feel no remorse or sadness. To most this would be considered not to be human nature. Murder is also a aspect of live that most consider not to be morally right and would also put it under the category of non human nature. So I think that human nature is how people act in situations. Almost like how birds know when to fly south is just kind of in us.

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  2. Human nature is a series of responses to events, and actions in specific situations, built up over thousands of years that proved to be advantageous to passing down a certain human’s genes to the next generation, and so on. I don’t think that humans are capable of doing anything outside of human nature, since it is constantly evolving and growing more complex, thereby adding in new or modified responses/actions created by any individuals. Of course only the helpful traits get passed on, while others die out a la survival of the fittest. This is how human nature could have developed into such a seemingly schizophrenic system. Murder is usually considered to reside on the “evil side” of humanity, as opposed to an action like defending your family, but this is simply because people learned pretty quickly that killing the other people around you makes things worse for you, and everyone else…..at least most of the time, but at times (I’m too lazy to come up with an example right now) it can help improve the chances of your genes surviving, and so it remains as part of human nature.

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  3. In my opinion human nature is the inner response which is common yet different in each human. The response may orginnate in from the same place in each human however each response may differ. Also, there may be different types of human nature:basic, such as trying to survive, find food, not kill other humans, etc. and complex human nature,which may differe between each person, such as what to do in a short reaction time in a high pressure situation, their reaction is directly resulted from thier own human natur Thus, human nature is practically the way in which each human responds consistently to given situation. t

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  4. Human nature is to act on impulses and surrounding stimuli based on emotion. The basic feelings, such as happiness, rage, and anxiety have been present for as long as mankind has been able to think cognitively and are ingrained in humans in a way that is impossible to hide. More so than any other creature, humans do what they believe is best for the situation at hand, not just live for the sake of surviving. This invariable human nature is unique to every person, yet is generally the same throughout all branches of humankind.

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  5. I suppose, essentially, human nature is ones characteristics, and what makes them act how they do throughout their lives in specific surroundings. I think human nature is based on how one behaves, something inside them makes a person act how they do; it could be based on their thought, or feelings, views of life, or how they were brought up or taught. Either way humans have the capability or "nature" to make their own decisions. Somehow there is something that triggers one to try to make the "right choice" certainty it isn't always done, but the choice is always up. Whether the right choice in a situation is made is based on the person, because essentially, we are all selfish people at one time or another, and our human nature is the same as well.

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  6. I would say that humans are, by nature, generally greedy, cruel, and self serving. Most people do feel a responsibility to follow some moral code, and have ideals which would appear to be for the purpose of serving the greater good. These ideals, when pressured by an external or internal force, are easily crushed. It is human nature for people to want to be virtuous, but people will choose to revert to a more instinctual path of selfishness if the situation prompts. Human nature is determined in part by cultural conditioning. A person's personal beliefs are a symptom of what values have been instilled by culture and the widespread norms. Though uncommon it is possible to "outsmart human nature" and live by ideal values. I believe that there are a few genuinely good people in the world, even though it goes against the way the majority acts.

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  7. This seems relevant-

    http://www.lifesucks.info/peoplearestupid.html

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  8. I think that human nature is generally good. Most people are kind and considerate. The average person does his best to follow the law and work hard. There are a few exceptions to this rule but the majority of humans strive to be good citizens. Unless humans are put under adverse circumstances in which they are competing against their peers for survival, most people are compassionate and helpful. Humans have created enormous charity organizations for the sole reason of doing good in the world. I disagree with Thomas Hobbes and his belief that humans are self serving and cruel. I think that the only reason that human nature is seen that way is because there is the occasional dictator that persecutes millions. When one person is able to cause that much suffering people doubt the good of their fellow humans. this is unfortunate because if each person recognized that their peers were simply working for a better world, there would be even less strife.

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  9. I believe that human nature is essentially the way people react to certain situations. These reactions are caused by emotions. However every human has their unique "nature". Because not every human would react to a situation in the same way. I aslo believe that human nature is the way people control these emotions. Therefore human nature can be good in people, but can also be bad in some people, it all depends how they react and how they can control this reaction.

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  10. Sorry, I was kicked off of the computer. To finish my explanation. I believe that this is why many people believe that human nature is cruel and self serving. Every human has their own nature. And also everyone has their own opinion of this nature. No one will ever agree on the same thing, there is always an "odd ball" out.

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  11. in my personal opion human nature is to survive and thrive in what ever element its in. so if ur trying to do something, u wanna do it as best as posable. human nature is basicly the way we do things in my point of veiw. like human nature is what we do everyday and why we do what we do it all is based on the same thing survivle. in a bussiness u wanna be the top dog but if ur not ur willing to push and shuve till u get there. but after the human makes sure that the survivle is promised it makes room for all other things.

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  12. Human nature is helping other only when it doesn't harm you. People help other people when it has no effect to them and especially when its mutual.Human nature is to find one things to cherish and adore, collecting a few other hobbies to prevent others from thinking you're obsessive, and hating everything else. Human nature is either taking something and saving it for a special date tht never arrives or using it up entirely as soon as you get it.Human nature revolvs around self-pride, as many would rathe take hits than making themselves look bad. Human nature is hiding from problems you can't solve.

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