SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 20
Download to read offline
Human Nature And The Mind
Human Nature and The Mind Human nature and the mind have been studied for ages. As humans,
we tend to think, feel, and act in certain ways that are often elucidated by nature and evolution. In
fields such as Psychology, Philosophy, and Science, human nature and the mind have been
extensively studied to develop theories about why humans act, think, and feel that way that we do. It
is believed by some that humans are born a certain way by nature. There are three ways that people
tend to believe humans are born: naturally good, naturally evil, or neutral. A Chinese philosopher
named Mencius is an example of someone who believed that humans are born naturally good.
Mencius is believed to be the most important figure in the development of Confucianism, right after
Confucius himself. Mencius wrote Man's Nature Is Good in the year Circa 300 BCE. This rhetorical
piece argues Mencius's views on the nature of man. Mencius not only believed that humans were
born naturally good, but also that they, "...with proper training, could become perfect" (Austin 78). A
Chinese scholar named Hsun Tzu believed almost the exact opposite of Mencius. Although Hsun
Tzu was a Confucian similarly to Mencius, he did not share the belief that humans are born naturally
good. Tzu actually wrote a piece titled Man's Nature Is Evil in which he explains his argument. Tzu
believed that humans need structure, and that "...strict discipline could make human beings good
despite their natural inclinations"
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Humans Nature
Human Nature
Good or Bad?
Whether human beings are instinctually good or evil in an elementary natural state is a question that
has been boggling the minds of even the greatest philosophers. There is a spectrum of theories that
support both good and evil within the human race, each with valid points that explains the range of
our interests, being either for ourselves or for others. However, my personal stance is the sensible
theory of Altruism. Past experiences and observations allow me to take the stance, and support the
argument that humans are caring and genuinely good individuals and have the will and desire to help
those around them. Philosophers such as Mengzi (4th Century BCE) also known as Mencius in the
West, explains...show more content...
These ongoing debates continue into literature and are for example the two philosophical authors
Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and Joseph Butler (1692–1752). One philosopher fighting for the truth
of the evil nature within humans, and the other rebutting for the good. Hobbes' book the "Leviathan"
expresses harsh outlines for the nature of human and describes the human life as, "solitary, poor,
nasty, brutish and short." 1 He concluded that humans are antisocial, and that cooperation between
individuals or groups is nothing but self–interest. Joseph Butler however, wanted to reestablish his
belief and published the book "Fifteen Sermons Preached at Roll Chapel." His goal was to prove that
human nature included positive elements. Within his book, Butler states that humans have varying
characteristics pertaining to their nature and this encompasses a measure of self–interest. This
self–interest is a natural attribute that roots back to the human animalistic nature of "survival of the
fittest." This self–interest is also a human quality that does not conflict with benevolence. Butler
arranged these human attributes into a hierarchy with the top being conscience. In regards to
conscience, Hobbes maintained the opinion that acts of kindness
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human Nature Essay
"It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake."
–H.L Menckens
From the moment they are born, humans have a naturally evil predisposition. Although the term
'evil' is difficult to define, there are various views on morality. The most commonly referenced one,
Moral Objectivism, holds that moral standards are universally transcendent, and that certain acts are
right or wrong independent of human subjectivity. It is by this unspoken moral code that humanity's
acts are judged. There is some debate whether a fundamental human nature exists, as social and
environmental influences are present from the moment someone is born. But if we can define
human nature, it is beyond doubt, naturally evil. The English philosopher Thomas...show more
content...
The atrocity of acts committed by mankind throughout history demonstrates the dangerous results
when society is unable to restrain the natural evil present in human beings. The words 'humane', and
'civilized', both come from roots that describe society. Their positive connotations associate
humankind with an inherent morality. But it is hard to have faith in our race when throughout
history; we have brutalized each other in such barbaric ways. How can independently thinking,
emotionally compassionate beings take part in massacres like the killings at Columbine or in the
terrorist attacks in 2001? The September 11th bombings took thousands of innocent lives, and
struck fear into the hearts of millions. What shocked the observing world though, was not the
number of dead. It was the senselessness of the cause, the raw savagery of the attacks, the utter
lack of humanity. It begged the question: what happens when the moderating hand of society fails
to restrain a group of radicals? The answer was simple. We saw the innate evil present in each one
of us, in its undistilled, uncensored form. The Columbine killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold,
were disillusioned bullies– torn away from society's expectations through a combination of violence
tendencies and psychosis. Their horrific acts were a result of their innate evil nature breaking
through the wall of societal structure. Golding's contention was that in most cases, rules were forced
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Essay On Law Of Human Nature
The Law of Human Nature is often forgotten about but is a very important topic because it
explains the way that God gave us our own ability to choose between right and wrong, in other
words in the sense of what people actually do, compared to what they should do. There are things
in life that we want to do and there are also things in life that we have to do or need to do and the
law of nature will tell us what we need to do. Sometimes we need to follow our instincts and
sometimes we do not. The Law tells us what is right and wrong if we listen to it. Some will argue
saying they don't believe in a real right and wrong. "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law,
by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the
law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears
witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to
my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." Romans 2:14–16.1 The Benson's Bible
Commentary says, "That is, what the law was to the Jews, they are by the light and grace of God to
themselves, namely, a rule of life. All the ancient Greek commentators, as Whitby has shown,
interpreted this passage not of the Gentiles who had been converted to Christianity, but of those
Gentiles who had not been favored with a revealed law, and therefore were neither proselytes to
Judaism nor Christianity."2 The Law of
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human Nature
As humans there are both similarities and differences among the different people and cultures in the
world. Several aspects of human experience that are common to all people are kinship, security, and
have their own highly regarded ideas and dreams. These are universal because common human
nature is rooted in all humans that have been observed by anthropologists throughout the centuries.
Several major kinds of differences between people are the argument between modernization and
traditionalism; the division of power between classes, government, and the people; and bonds within
the family unit; the perception of a woman's role. I believe the differences to be more important than
the similarities. People desire to have connections with...show more content...
In both examples individuals and businesses seek to provide security, in this case economically, in
order to gain a sense of comfort. This sense of security is a idea that is universally sought after by
all individuals. People universally retain ideas that they value as true–they will strive to defend these
ideas, whatever they may be. Dr. Crandall summed the thought well when he said in his article
Knowing Human Moral knowledge to be true, "individual human beings claim to know particular
understandings of the world to be true..." (Crandall 308). This also aplicable to the documentary
How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin concerning Russia in the 1960's when the Beatles, and other
western music was banned. Those who loved the prohibited music secretly produced records.
They thought that the Beatles were intriguing and stove to endorse it, even if it was done
illegally. A Russian Beatles fan solidified this idea by saying, "You have something in your heart;
you don't let people touch it." As Dr. Crandall's says "Human beings are deeply invested and
deeply in love with their ideas, we will fight tooth and nail for them. Our ideas about the nature of
the world are so deeply held and love that they seem absolutely, unquestionably true" (Crandall 39).
Jared Diamond writes
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Essay on Principles of Human Nature
Fundamental Principles of Human Nature The heated controversy over how human beings develop
their behavior, ideas, reasoning and other abstract traits has been in ongoing debate for centuries.
John Locke's "blank slate" theory of experience and sensation, and Edward Wilson's theory of
evolutionary biology and innate genes are both valid and apply to the development of human nature.
It is has been proven through scientific research of the human genome over time, that both sides of
this controversial subject are partially correct (Powell). However, I believe Wilson's theory is the
most reasonable and legitimate in influencing the outcome of one's character. John Locke's theory
states that the mind begins as a "blank slate", and that...show more content...
Locke's theory that all ideas and knowledge result directly from experience is quite reasonable,
however I believe that experience only goes so far in determining the overall outcome of who a
person is and the way in which they behave. A common saying some like to say when referring to
the way a person acts or behaves is, "Oh, she got it from her mother/father." I hold this true to
myself, being my own example, I know for a fact that I inherited certain unique qualities and
behavioral traits from my mother and father. My older sister and I were raised together in the same
environment for 18 years, under the same/similar circumstances, and it is quite obvious that
although we share many interests and ideas, our personalities are nearly polar opposite. She is calm,
patient, and extremely shy, which is strikingly similar to my father's personality. I am very outgoing,
impatient, and (unfortunately) emotional, which my mother finds humorous at times, seeing how
we are so similar in the way that we reason and react to things. Although there is no documented or
scientifically proven evidence that this is true, I know that it must be true to some extent, and that
hereditary must have played a role in my collection of reasoning and understanding. For instance, if
genetics did not play any role in this outcome, then how could fraternal twins, raised under the same
environment and conditions, differ at all in behavior
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Essay On Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies
In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, Golding simulates aspects of raw human nature. One part of
this human nature is the division between good and evil, and how it plays a role in the personality of
a human. This aspect of human nature develops a theme throughout the story. Every human has a
level of evil. But the amount in which people display it can be changed through the social
environment one is in. A person may appear to be "good" in every way, but inside there will
always be hate, barbarism, and evil. In Lord of the Flies, this level of evil of exposure varies in
each character. This sense of evil is inescapable among the boys on the island, and it cannot be
avoided as shown by Simon's encounter with the Lord of the Flies. Simon displays very little evil
in comparison to other boys on the island. What Simon does not understand is that evil cannot be
escaped by exposing only good and positive emotion. Simon is having a hallucination in front of
the pig head the boys staked on the ground. This is also referred to as the "lord of the flies" (143).
The pig's voice speaks to Simon stating "you know perfectly well you'll only meet me down
there" (143). What this suggests is that Simon has a good understanding of what he is facing
along with the boys. The author is using the Pig's head as a symbol of evil and a figure of
savagery. It is expressing that this image of evil the boys portray is really inherent within them.
The lord of the flies voice continues to Simon by saying "don't try and escape!"(143). The lord of
the flies is stating that trying to free from this evil is a waste of effort for it is inescapable. Simon
does not understand this because he feels that by displaying only good and positive emotion it
will go away. But this level of savagery that is inherent in everyone cannot be altered by the level
in which one exposes it. The "Lord of the Flies" is addressing this but Simon only wishes to
display positivity for he believes it will free him from his hate. Simon is the only one who
understands the "beast" to not be a physical threat, but something that is inside all of them. The beast
that Simon portrays is stronger within other characters like Jack and Ralph, but Golding's words
suggest
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human Essay : The Definition Of Human Nature
Human nature is generally defined as the general psychological characteristics and behavioral traits
that all humans share (Dictionary). This would imply that all humans are born with certain feelings,
thoughts or actions that we all have in common. However, this does not take into account the most
important part of determining persons characteristics and behaviors, their childhood. Babies are
born being neutral and they develop and grow into the person that they will become as an adult.
Humans are not born morally good or evil, it is determined by society and its influence on them.
Human nature cannot simply be defined by a dictionary because every person has their own
definition of what it means. To me, human nature is what truly makes us human. What that means is
that it is what sets us aside from other living creatures and makes our species unique. Human nature
is our feelings, beliefs and knowledge that no other creature on earth has. We possess the knowledge
and understanding to try and rationalize the universe, religion and emotions like no other creature
does.
Other animals are capable of reproducing and mating, but no other species have romantic
relationships that are not strictly for survival purposes. Most animals mate because they must
reproduce to keep their species alive but for humans, there are emotions involved and these
relationships are chosen based on happiness, not survival.
Humans also posses the ability to attempt to understand and rationalize
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Argumentative Essay On Human Nature
This essay will argue that it is human nature for people, some more than others, to see themselves as
more moral or prosocial than their peers. Numerous articles will be gathered to not only support but
contradict this argument. These articles will be analysed and compared to produce a complete
argument.
The principal objective of the research conducted by Pedregon, C.A., Farley, R.L., Davis, A.,
Wood, J.M. & Clark, R.D. (2012), was to investigate the better than average effect (BTAE) using a
questionnaire to establish if people rated themselves and their family members above average on
socially desirable qualities. Pedregon et al (2012) questionnaire contained both the NEO Five Factor
Inventory(NEO–FFI) and the Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP). Using both these
methods to measure personality traits ensures that they obtain accurate findings which support their
hypothesis and give us a good understanding of how people see themselves in relation to others.
Pedregon et al (2012) found that participants were more likely to rate themselves as having socially
desirable characteristics, this supports the BTAE and also strengthening the interpretation that it is
human nature to consider yourself more moral or prosocial than your peers.
Moreover, Pedregon et al (2012) sample size consists of 286 undergraduate university students
which is a respectable sample size, however a wide range of the students were from Mexico, this is
a limitation of the study as it could be
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Shakespeare Human Nature
It was very common that authors during the Renaissance Era would mostly talk about their
feelings and about human nature. William Shakespeare and Francis Petrarch are both examples
of authors that are well known to talk about human nature and expressing their feelings about
love, people and nature. Shakespeare's sonnets contain an overall sense of story and deep
feelings where the reader can relate. A lot of people like his poems since it is very easy to
understand and relate to them. However, we still do not know if they were real life events or not
because nobody knows enough about Shakespeare's life to say this is accurate. In the other hand,
Francis Petrarch sonnets are also very easy to relate since he talks a lot about love. In his...show more
content...
In his sonnets not only shows his love side but also how he struggled with self–doubt and
insecurities. One example of this would be " All men make faults, and even I in this, authorizing thy
trespass with compare, myself corrupting, salving thy amiss, excusing thy sins more than thy sins
are" (Sonnet 35, lines 5–8). I think sometimes as humans we tend to judge and blame others even
if it's been our fault. In this sonnet he talks how his lover betrayed him and something I actually
liked that he said and I think we, as humans should do is that he decides to assume equal guilt
despite the pain that his lover gave him. As most of the Renaissance era authors talk about love,
there is many times where their sonnets express loss, grief, and pain where we can also relate. An
example would be "and yet I live, grief and disdain to me, left where that light I cherished never
shows, in fragile bark on the tempestuous sea. Here let my loving song come to a close, the vein of
my accustomed art is dry, and this, my lyre, turned at last to tears" (Sonnet 292, lines 9–14). Petrarch
is dealing with the death of someone whom he has loved for many years and feels useless and
rather be death than suffer and being in this world since she is
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
human nature Essay
What is human nature? It is very simple. Human nature refers to the patterns of behavior that are
typical of our species or our kind. Human undergoes change as all humans grow up they nature seems
to change; the environment someone grow up in effects that persons nature. To fully understand
human nature Dr. Marvin Harris takes us on trip to time, which makes sense because if we better
understand our past and our origin we will better understand our very existence and our nature. We
will know more about who we are where we are from and such other questions that puzzle the human
mind.
As I mentioned before our environment has a great effect on our nature. For example a theory
claimed that, the first humans...show more content...
However we don't, and that is due to time going by and the changing of the environment.
In the book Our Kind Dr. Harris mentions the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin. He went to
great details about our closest living relative the chimpanzees, and how their survival was base on
they will to fight. Therefore, our willingness to fight wars and kill each other for nonsense reasons is
simply our nature.
Our behaviors that may be said to be our nature is also depend on the circumstances we encounter
in our lives. Such as, it is very rare to find someone who was raised in a dangerous area ahs the same
time of nature as someone who was raised in very nice calm area where the biggest crime one could
commit is littering.
Another issue of Human Nature that shows us how changes in time leads to changes in the way
we act and perform is Family life. I will compare family life in early America to family live today
in America. The Indian tribes that lived on in this very country we now call ours, they had a
custom where they would give away they daughters to much older men if they provided the father
of the husband labor or land which was called brides wealth. That way what they believe, what they
practice, that was simply they nature of doing things. So really, human nature could also be looked
as our way of doing every day things, our practices or
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Maus Essay On Human Nature
As time goes by one would think the world is evolving in a positive manner. With all the new
technology and new resources, we would assume to be better people than the generation before us.
Many would argue that we are better because we are always well informed by the tabloids and
social media of what is happening in the world. Unfortunately, we as humans are evolving in a
negative manner. Our human nature since generations before us show how cruel we are. In the book,
Maus written by Art Spiegelman shows us how malicious and inhuman people can treat each other.
The novel illuminates our understanding of human nature as being evil as well as deceiving
individuals, who do not act to better the world as time goes on. In the comic, Jews were sent to
concentration camps but before they left a riot downtown was described. Vladek said "...Everyone
Yelling, "Jews Out! Jews out!"...even two people killed. The police just watched!"(Spiegelman 37).
The quote shows how people are constantly being influenced when a higher authority figure has
more power than them. In this instance, Hitler had the authority and did not want the best for Jews.
Police are to keep everyone safe and control chaos. As we can see in the quote above, the...show
more content...
Anja knew she involved herself in illegal action by translating communist messages. Instead of
hiding the messages in her house, which she knew by doing so she would get arrested. She gave
them to her seamstress. Anja said "Miss Stefanska–Please! Hide this package for me–don't tell
ANYONE about it!" (Spiegelman 28). She deceived her seamstress because she tricked her into
hiding the messages and later on the seamstress paid the price of Anja. Anja gave the envelope full
of translated words to her to protect herself, but this does not justify what she did. Spiegelman
shows us that instead of accepting our faults we try to blame others for
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
1984 Essay On Human Nature
Human nature is the characteristics, feelings and behavioral traits of mankind. Humans are able to
express many emotions, such as happiness, anger, fear, and curiosity. George Orwell's novel, 1984
effectively illustrates the variety of personality traits existing among the human population. The text
shows Orwell's view on human nature; humans are willing to go against their conscious to take risks
and disobey rules that reveal the individual's disloyalty through sexual desires.
The text illustrates humans as self–serving individuals, who would take risks and disobey
instructions for the sake of personal gain. After Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought Police,
they are imprisoned in the Ministry of Love, and he hears a prisoner shout,...show more content...
The government of Oceania strongly restrains sexual relationships because a successful totalitarian
country cannot accommodate private loyalties since it will often trump loyalty to the party. Since
sexual relationships and family relations create private loyalties, the party must somehow control
these social acts. Since the government suppresses sexual acts in reality, Winston fulfills his
needs in his dreams, for example, Winston imagines "A girl with dark hair was coming towards
them across the field. With what seemed a single movement she tore off her clothes and flung
them disdainfully aside. Her body was white and smooth, but it aroused no desire in him, indeed
he barely looked at it. What overwhelmed him in that instant was admiration for the gesture with
which she had thrown her clothes aside" (Orwell 40). An important aspect of the party's oppression
of its subjects is the forced repression of sexual appetite. Winston cannot express his sexual desires
in reality, therefore, Winston fulfills his sexual needs in the world in which only he can experience.
Through Winston's dream, he shows sexual desires are part of human nature. Additionally, Winston
unfortunately divorces his former wife named Katharine because she is absurdly devoted to the
party and views sex as acting against her
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Kant's View On Human Nature
Essentially, all philosophers including Kant and Aristotle approached ethics from a specific
conception of human nature. While some saw the good life as the realization or actualization of the
potential we possess by the mere virtue of being human beings, others thought that man needs a
formal standard of moral judgment that can steer them away from moral inclinations. In this paper, I
will talk about Kant's and Aristotle's views on the matter and how it impacted their respective ethical
and moral theories.
Based on his views on human nature, Aristotle claims that man is naturally blind to issues touching of
morality. He argues that human beings are brought to this world without any knowledge thus
morality cannot be a part of human nature.
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human Nature Essay
The Evil Nature of Man: An Essay on Human Nature
People today enjoy the many pleasures life provides, including entertainment and technology, all
the while living longer than ever before. This would not be possible, if it were not for a
government that protects it's citizens from danger and promotes peace. Humans are evil by nature,
and therefore require some form of power in a society that will protect each person. This evil is
described in a interview with a U.S. soldier who after returning from Iraq, found his evil nature to
control his emotions toward Muslims, until he was able to join their group, an become a member of
their society. Thomas Hobbes, an English Philosopher from the 17th century, wrote a book on the
subjects of human...show more content...
Of course with this State, the idea of the third law of nature comes into view, with people of the
State "perform[ing] their covenants made"(45), having each man follow the rules of the State,
which is able to determine for itself what is just and unjust. The violent nature of man is thwarted
through the existence of the State, which every man gives up certain rights to, yet gains security
and peace from, allowing them to live with instead of war, the pleasures of industry, invention,
culture, exploration: all the things that make life worth living (Hobbes 42). This is evidenced by
our culture, where most men and women are able to go about their daily lives, enjoying all the
pleasures in our society, while our government protects each of its citizens from threats. The only
thing we as citizens have to do in return is follow the laws of the government. Another Philosopher,
John Locke, took a view that was opposite of Hobbes. In his work "Of the State of Nature," Locke
feels that since humans were all equal, left to their own devices, they would be able to establish
their own form of government that they themselves could control (48). The argument made starts
off in a form similar to Hobbes idea of two men having the same goal, yet in Locke's
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Nature And Human Essay
Maria Moiseeva
Professor Ahrens
English 101
13 August 2014
Illusory Freedom
"...Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this
vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves."–Carl Sagan.
If there is only one thing that humanity has to learn, that would be the superior power of compliance
with natural laws. Human species have never had any true freedom. Freedom is illusion. When it
comes to the order of nature, either you align or you suffer.
So, who are we, homo sapiens, a branch of great monkeys, the source of all problems on the Earth,
the reason behind dramatic changes of environment,...show more content...
Where is the "second chance" for the people and other inhabitants of this planet who died from this
man made disasters? These examples prove that there is no such rule of a "second chance" simply
because nature doesn't privilege us with one.
The relationship of humans to the Earth is an evolutionary process. First Homo sapiens are the most
obedient environmentalists of the planet. Many thousands of years ago, our super–monkey brethren
began to discover how to engage nature. We went from being completely at the mercy of the habitat,
gathering our food with some hunting, living and migrating around the natural seasonal
regeneration, to an agricultural revolution, learning how to cultivate food, create more sophisticated
tools to ease labor. In fact, this new awareness and ever–increasing understanding to harness the
processes of nature to our advantage is what has led to the vast technological innovation and
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human Nature: Good or Evil? Essay
For centuries many philosophers, as well as most individuals, have pondered on the question what is
good and what is evil. More–so philosophers of all ages have also stumbled upon a more in depth
question which is if the intuitive knowledge of man's nature is good, or if it is evil. Many have
claimed to have an answer to these puzzling questions yet most of their answers were found to be
incomplete and inadequate at a later date. Religion also tried to provide a solution but to my
understanding only caused more of an entanglement if anything. According to the current definition
from Webster, good is defined as morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious; where as evil is
defined as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked. One could...show more content...
Would these people be considered evil and if so how did they become this way? Were they born
this was or was it some sort of external forces that led them to become evil? Well according to Hsun
Tao, another Chinese philosopher, humans were born of an evil nature and with some sort of
guidance from a teacher could learn to become good. He believed that what is natural to human
beings is desire and desire inevitably leads to conflict; since this is evil then so is the nature the
results within. Yet referring back to the young child and well example, why would most people do
the right thing? Is it because they are taught to be good again is it something that is deeper?
However, another Chinese philosopher, Kao Tzu, beleived that human nature is neither inherently
good nor inherently evil but rather a "blank slate" that could be conditioned in both directions.
When an individual is born he/she has no ideas or preexisting behaviors but that through life
experiences and external forces, such as family and friends, that influence ones human nature. Or
according to John Locke "the mind at birth is a blank white sheet of paper on which experience
writes." Religion also claims to provide a solution for whether human nature is initially good or evil
but this of course varies upon the religion. According to Catholicism everyone who has been born is
tainted with original sin which according to the bible is an inclination to evil caused
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human Nature Essay
Human nature is loosely defined as the ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that that tend to come
naturally. Our human nature is a mixture of our own personal beliefs and views as well as the
perceptions of our surrounding environment and the society we reside in. It affects the way we
interpret and present knowledge without realizing it, including our thoughts and actions. Since
writing is just a collection of our thoughts and the way in which we interpret the world, our human
nature inevitably seeps into our writing. This paper will argue that the Hesiod's writings, in
particular the creation story of Pandora in both Theogony and Works and Days, are heavily
influenced by the misogynistic views held by the Greek patriarchal society at the time. The
influence of society's misogynistic views on the portrayal of characters and roles are fully
exemplified when comparing the creation story of Pandora to that of her male counterpart and Eve.
The portrayal of Pandora in Hesiod's Works and Days is filled with the philosophy and viewpoints
that men held towards women, greatly influencing her creation. Many of the characteristics
possessed by Pandora mirror the viewpoints that men, and in particular Hesiod, had towards women.
The mere creation of women, by Zeus, was an idea set around the punishment of man for the acts of
Prometheus: "To set against the fire I shall give them an affliction to which they will all delight as
they embrace their own misfortune" (W&D 57–59).
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Reflective Essay On Human Nature
Despite growing up in a Catholic based family and community, I believe the nature of human
beings is a self serving one. Despite the many charitable, loving people in our world, I truly feel
that if stripped of necessities or if placed in a difficult position the nature of human beings is to serve
themselves. Humans seek survival and such survival is part of our nature, and it is how we adapt to
challenging situations. This is not a fluffy, optimistic view ofhuman nature, but it is the most
practical and realistic one. When faced with difficult circumstances, people love to think they will
help others before themselves. But instinct simply makes this action difficult. I think it goes against
our nature to put another before ourselves.
And despite the way our human nature is rooted in each of us, I do not believe that nature or
nurture can be placed above one another when attempting to determine why a person acts a certain
way. Humans as a whole are born with certain characteristics that do not have anything to do with
the way they were raised or the situations they encountered while growing up. Many people are
simply born with a better understanding of math or English. But in the same aspect, certain
characteristics are drastically shaped by a person's experiences in the world. The way a person
responds to violence may simply be a learned trait formed over time due to violence in their past.
However, I do not believe predetermined characteristics such as these are fate.
Get more content on HelpWriting.net
Human beings are part of the animal kingdom, and therefore part of nature. If that is true, then
everything they create or destroy is by default "natural". I agree with the statement.
"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin"–William Shakespeare. The relationship between
humans and nature is that we are a part of nature. As per the study of human evolution, scientists
discovered a wealth of evidence that shows how closely we are related to the other primates. We
humans are an animal species: primate order: mammalian class: vertebrate sub–phylum. The study
of Human genetics gave a proof that we are connected to each other and also to other organisms
which are part of nature. The Earth is a natural thing, with all earthly inhabitants originated on earth
naturally, that means we as humans are natural.
The earth itself is an astonishing planet with the fact that life exists on it is an amazing achievement.
Evolution is the fact of life and the reason why humans came into existence. Evolution is responsible
for all forms of life on earth. The entire natural world, including humans, plants and animals are all
directly linked through the evolutionary process. Over the period of time, those species who were
best fit to survive remained into existence and those who were unfit got extinct– "survival of the
fittest" derived from Charles Darwin evolution theory–The mechanism of natural selection. So just
like other existing species, humans have done something right in the
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

More Related Content

More from Paper Writing Service Superiorpapers

More from Paper Writing Service Superiorpapers (20)

Feminism Essay
Feminism EssayFeminism Essay
Feminism Essay
 
The Black Balloon Essay
The Black Balloon EssayThe Black Balloon Essay
The Black Balloon Essay
 
Long Essay On Environmental Pollution
Long Essay On Environmental PollutionLong Essay On Environmental Pollution
Long Essay On Environmental Pollution
 
Classifying Essay
Classifying EssayClassifying Essay
Classifying Essay
 
Report Example Essay
Report Example EssayReport Example Essay
Report Example Essay
 
Everyday Use By Alice Walker Essay
Everyday Use By Alice Walker EssayEveryday Use By Alice Walker Essay
Everyday Use By Alice Walker Essay
 
Opinion Essays
Opinion EssaysOpinion Essays
Opinion Essays
 
Essay On Humility
Essay On HumilityEssay On Humility
Essay On Humility
 
National Integration Essay
National Integration EssayNational Integration Essay
National Integration Essay
 
Capitalism Essay
Capitalism EssayCapitalism Essay
Capitalism Essay
 
Perfect Essay Outline
Perfect Essay OutlinePerfect Essay Outline
Perfect Essay Outline
 
Bio Diversity Essay
Bio Diversity EssayBio Diversity Essay
Bio Diversity Essay
 
Essay On Odysseus
Essay On OdysseusEssay On Odysseus
Essay On Odysseus
 
Essays On Acceptance
Essays On AcceptanceEssays On Acceptance
Essays On Acceptance
 
Essays On Helping Others
Essays On Helping OthersEssays On Helping Others
Essays On Helping Others
 
Of Mice And Men Essay On Dreams
Of Mice And Men Essay On DreamsOf Mice And Men Essay On Dreams
Of Mice And Men Essay On Dreams
 
Essay About My Favourite Teacher
Essay About My Favourite TeacherEssay About My Favourite Teacher
Essay About My Favourite Teacher
 
Concept Essay Topics
Concept Essay TopicsConcept Essay Topics
Concept Essay Topics
 
Essay On Jamestown
Essay On JamestownEssay On Jamestown
Essay On Jamestown
 
Nhs Essay Examples
Nhs Essay ExamplesNhs Essay Examples
Nhs Essay Examples
 

Recently uploaded

POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptxPOINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptxSayali Powar
 
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher EducationIntroduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Educationpboyjonauth
 
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...Marc Dusseiller Dusjagr
 
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptxOrganic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptxVS Mahajan Coaching Centre
 
Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17
Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17
Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17Celine George
 
Micromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of Powders
Micromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of PowdersMicromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of Powders
Micromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of PowdersChitralekhaTherkar
 
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy ReformA Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy ReformChameera Dedduwage
 
CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptx
CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptxCARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptx
CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptxGaneshChakor2
 
How to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptx
How to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptxHow to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptx
How to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptxmanuelaromero2013
 
Arihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdf
Arihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdfArihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdf
Arihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdfchloefrazer622
 
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeMeasures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeThiyagu K
 
Introduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptx
Introduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptxIntroduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptx
Introduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptxpboyjonauth
 
Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptx
Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptxSolving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptx
Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptxOH TEIK BIN
 
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111Sapana Sha
 
Employee wellbeing at the workplace.pptx
Employee wellbeing at the workplace.pptxEmployee wellbeing at the workplace.pptx
Employee wellbeing at the workplace.pptxNirmalaLoungPoorunde1
 
Hybridoma Technology ( Production , Purification , and Application )
Hybridoma Technology  ( Production , Purification , and Application  ) Hybridoma Technology  ( Production , Purification , and Application  )
Hybridoma Technology ( Production , Purification , and Application ) Sakshi Ghasle
 
PSYCHIATRIC History collection FORMAT.pptx
PSYCHIATRIC   History collection FORMAT.pptxPSYCHIATRIC   History collection FORMAT.pptx
PSYCHIATRIC History collection FORMAT.pptxPoojaSen20
 
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxThe basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxheathfieldcps1
 
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptxContemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptxRoyAbrique
 

Recently uploaded (20)

POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptxPOINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
POINT- BIOCHEMISTRY SEM 2 ENZYMES UNIT 5.pptx
 
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher EducationIntroduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
Introduction to ArtificiaI Intelligence in Higher Education
 
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
“Oh GOSH! Reflecting on Hackteria's Collaborative Practices in a Global Do-It...
 
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptxOrganic Name Reactions  for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
Organic Name Reactions for the students and aspirants of Chemistry12th.pptx
 
Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17
Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17
Incoming and Outgoing Shipments in 1 STEP Using Odoo 17
 
Micromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of Powders
Micromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of PowdersMicromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of Powders
Micromeritics - Fundamental and Derived Properties of Powders
 
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy ReformA Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
A Critique of the Proposed National Education Policy Reform
 
CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptx
CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptxCARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptx
CARE OF CHILD IN INCUBATOR..........pptx
 
How to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptx
How to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptxHow to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptx
How to Make a Pirate ship Primary Education.pptx
 
Arihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdf
Arihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdfArihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdf
Arihant handbook biology for class 11 .pdf
 
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and ModeMeasures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
Measures of Central Tendency: Mean, Median and Mode
 
Introduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptx
Introduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptxIntroduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptx
Introduction to AI in Higher Education_draft.pptx
 
Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptx
Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptxSolving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptx
Solving Puzzles Benefits Everyone (English).pptx
 
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
Call Girls in Dwarka Mor Delhi Contact Us 9654467111
 
Employee wellbeing at the workplace.pptx
Employee wellbeing at the workplace.pptxEmployee wellbeing at the workplace.pptx
Employee wellbeing at the workplace.pptx
 
Hybridoma Technology ( Production , Purification , and Application )
Hybridoma Technology  ( Production , Purification , and Application  ) Hybridoma Technology  ( Production , Purification , and Application  )
Hybridoma Technology ( Production , Purification , and Application )
 
PSYCHIATRIC History collection FORMAT.pptx
PSYCHIATRIC   History collection FORMAT.pptxPSYCHIATRIC   History collection FORMAT.pptx
PSYCHIATRIC History collection FORMAT.pptx
 
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptxThe basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
The basics of sentences session 2pptx copy.pptx
 
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptxContemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
Contemporary philippine arts from the regions_PPT_Module_12 [Autosaved] (1).pptx
 
Staff of Color (SOC) Retention Efforts DDSD
Staff of Color (SOC) Retention Efforts DDSDStaff of Color (SOC) Retention Efforts DDSD
Staff of Color (SOC) Retention Efforts DDSD
 

Essays On Human Nature

  • 1. Human Nature And The Mind Human Nature and The Mind Human nature and the mind have been studied for ages. As humans, we tend to think, feel, and act in certain ways that are often elucidated by nature and evolution. In fields such as Psychology, Philosophy, and Science, human nature and the mind have been extensively studied to develop theories about why humans act, think, and feel that way that we do. It is believed by some that humans are born a certain way by nature. There are three ways that people tend to believe humans are born: naturally good, naturally evil, or neutral. A Chinese philosopher named Mencius is an example of someone who believed that humans are born naturally good. Mencius is believed to be the most important figure in the development of Confucianism, right after Confucius himself. Mencius wrote Man's Nature Is Good in the year Circa 300 BCE. This rhetorical piece argues Mencius's views on the nature of man. Mencius not only believed that humans were born naturally good, but also that they, "...with proper training, could become perfect" (Austin 78). A Chinese scholar named Hsun Tzu believed almost the exact opposite of Mencius. Although Hsun Tzu was a Confucian similarly to Mencius, he did not share the belief that humans are born naturally good. Tzu actually wrote a piece titled Man's Nature Is Evil in which he explains his argument. Tzu believed that humans need structure, and that "...strict discipline could make human beings good despite their natural inclinations" Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 2. Humans Nature Human Nature Good or Bad? Whether human beings are instinctually good or evil in an elementary natural state is a question that has been boggling the minds of even the greatest philosophers. There is a spectrum of theories that support both good and evil within the human race, each with valid points that explains the range of our interests, being either for ourselves or for others. However, my personal stance is the sensible theory of Altruism. Past experiences and observations allow me to take the stance, and support the argument that humans are caring and genuinely good individuals and have the will and desire to help those around them. Philosophers such as Mengzi (4th Century BCE) also known as Mencius in the West, explains...show more content... These ongoing debates continue into literature and are for example the two philosophical authors Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679) and Joseph Butler (1692–1752). One philosopher fighting for the truth of the evil nature within humans, and the other rebutting for the good. Hobbes' book the "Leviathan" expresses harsh outlines for the nature of human and describes the human life as, "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short." 1 He concluded that humans are antisocial, and that cooperation between individuals or groups is nothing but self–interest. Joseph Butler however, wanted to reestablish his belief and published the book "Fifteen Sermons Preached at Roll Chapel." His goal was to prove that human nature included positive elements. Within his book, Butler states that humans have varying characteristics pertaining to their nature and this encompasses a measure of self–interest. This self–interest is a natural attribute that roots back to the human animalistic nature of "survival of the fittest." This self–interest is also a human quality that does not conflict with benevolence. Butler arranged these human attributes into a hierarchy with the top being conscience. In regards to conscience, Hobbes maintained the opinion that acts of kindness Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 3. Human Nature Essay "It is a sin to believe evil of others, but it is seldom a mistake." –H.L Menckens From the moment they are born, humans have a naturally evil predisposition. Although the term 'evil' is difficult to define, there are various views on morality. The most commonly referenced one, Moral Objectivism, holds that moral standards are universally transcendent, and that certain acts are right or wrong independent of human subjectivity. It is by this unspoken moral code that humanity's acts are judged. There is some debate whether a fundamental human nature exists, as social and environmental influences are present from the moment someone is born. But if we can define human nature, it is beyond doubt, naturally evil. The English philosopher Thomas...show more content... The atrocity of acts committed by mankind throughout history demonstrates the dangerous results when society is unable to restrain the natural evil present in human beings. The words 'humane', and 'civilized', both come from roots that describe society. Their positive connotations associate humankind with an inherent morality. But it is hard to have faith in our race when throughout history; we have brutalized each other in such barbaric ways. How can independently thinking, emotionally compassionate beings take part in massacres like the killings at Columbine or in the terrorist attacks in 2001? The September 11th bombings took thousands of innocent lives, and struck fear into the hearts of millions. What shocked the observing world though, was not the number of dead. It was the senselessness of the cause, the raw savagery of the attacks, the utter lack of humanity. It begged the question: what happens when the moderating hand of society fails to restrain a group of radicals? The answer was simple. We saw the innate evil present in each one of us, in its undistilled, uncensored form. The Columbine killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, were disillusioned bullies– torn away from society's expectations through a combination of violence tendencies and psychosis. Their horrific acts were a result of their innate evil nature breaking through the wall of societal structure. Golding's contention was that in most cases, rules were forced Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 4. Essay On Law Of Human Nature The Law of Human Nature is often forgotten about but is a very important topic because it explains the way that God gave us our own ability to choose between right and wrong, in other words in the sense of what people actually do, compared to what they should do. There are things in life that we want to do and there are also things in life that we have to do or need to do and the law of nature will tell us what we need to do. Sometimes we need to follow our instincts and sometimes we do not. The Law tells us what is right and wrong if we listen to it. Some will argue saying they don't believe in a real right and wrong. "For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." Romans 2:14–16.1 The Benson's Bible Commentary says, "That is, what the law was to the Jews, they are by the light and grace of God to themselves, namely, a rule of life. All the ancient Greek commentators, as Whitby has shown, interpreted this passage not of the Gentiles who had been converted to Christianity, but of those Gentiles who had not been favored with a revealed law, and therefore were neither proselytes to Judaism nor Christianity."2 The Law of Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 5. Human Nature As humans there are both similarities and differences among the different people and cultures in the world. Several aspects of human experience that are common to all people are kinship, security, and have their own highly regarded ideas and dreams. These are universal because common human nature is rooted in all humans that have been observed by anthropologists throughout the centuries. Several major kinds of differences between people are the argument between modernization and traditionalism; the division of power between classes, government, and the people; and bonds within the family unit; the perception of a woman's role. I believe the differences to be more important than the similarities. People desire to have connections with...show more content... In both examples individuals and businesses seek to provide security, in this case economically, in order to gain a sense of comfort. This sense of security is a idea that is universally sought after by all individuals. People universally retain ideas that they value as true–they will strive to defend these ideas, whatever they may be. Dr. Crandall summed the thought well when he said in his article Knowing Human Moral knowledge to be true, "individual human beings claim to know particular understandings of the world to be true..." (Crandall 308). This also aplicable to the documentary How the Beatles Rocked the Kremlin concerning Russia in the 1960's when the Beatles, and other western music was banned. Those who loved the prohibited music secretly produced records. They thought that the Beatles were intriguing and stove to endorse it, even if it was done illegally. A Russian Beatles fan solidified this idea by saying, "You have something in your heart; you don't let people touch it." As Dr. Crandall's says "Human beings are deeply invested and deeply in love with their ideas, we will fight tooth and nail for them. Our ideas about the nature of the world are so deeply held and love that they seem absolutely, unquestionably true" (Crandall 39). Jared Diamond writes Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 6. Essay on Principles of Human Nature Fundamental Principles of Human Nature The heated controversy over how human beings develop their behavior, ideas, reasoning and other abstract traits has been in ongoing debate for centuries. John Locke's "blank slate" theory of experience and sensation, and Edward Wilson's theory of evolutionary biology and innate genes are both valid and apply to the development of human nature. It is has been proven through scientific research of the human genome over time, that both sides of this controversial subject are partially correct (Powell). However, I believe Wilson's theory is the most reasonable and legitimate in influencing the outcome of one's character. John Locke's theory states that the mind begins as a "blank slate", and that...show more content... Locke's theory that all ideas and knowledge result directly from experience is quite reasonable, however I believe that experience only goes so far in determining the overall outcome of who a person is and the way in which they behave. A common saying some like to say when referring to the way a person acts or behaves is, "Oh, she got it from her mother/father." I hold this true to myself, being my own example, I know for a fact that I inherited certain unique qualities and behavioral traits from my mother and father. My older sister and I were raised together in the same environment for 18 years, under the same/similar circumstances, and it is quite obvious that although we share many interests and ideas, our personalities are nearly polar opposite. She is calm, patient, and extremely shy, which is strikingly similar to my father's personality. I am very outgoing, impatient, and (unfortunately) emotional, which my mother finds humorous at times, seeing how we are so similar in the way that we reason and react to things. Although there is no documented or scientifically proven evidence that this is true, I know that it must be true to some extent, and that hereditary must have played a role in my collection of reasoning and understanding. For instance, if genetics did not play any role in this outcome, then how could fraternal twins, raised under the same environment and conditions, differ at all in behavior Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 7. Essay On Human Nature In Lord Of The Flies In William Golding's Lord of the Flies, Golding simulates aspects of raw human nature. One part of this human nature is the division between good and evil, and how it plays a role in the personality of a human. This aspect of human nature develops a theme throughout the story. Every human has a level of evil. But the amount in which people display it can be changed through the social environment one is in. A person may appear to be "good" in every way, but inside there will always be hate, barbarism, and evil. In Lord of the Flies, this level of evil of exposure varies in each character. This sense of evil is inescapable among the boys on the island, and it cannot be avoided as shown by Simon's encounter with the Lord of the Flies. Simon displays very little evil in comparison to other boys on the island. What Simon does not understand is that evil cannot be escaped by exposing only good and positive emotion. Simon is having a hallucination in front of the pig head the boys staked on the ground. This is also referred to as the "lord of the flies" (143). The pig's voice speaks to Simon stating "you know perfectly well you'll only meet me down there" (143). What this suggests is that Simon has a good understanding of what he is facing along with the boys. The author is using the Pig's head as a symbol of evil and a figure of savagery. It is expressing that this image of evil the boys portray is really inherent within them. The lord of the flies voice continues to Simon by saying "don't try and escape!"(143). The lord of the flies is stating that trying to free from this evil is a waste of effort for it is inescapable. Simon does not understand this because he feels that by displaying only good and positive emotion it will go away. But this level of savagery that is inherent in everyone cannot be altered by the level in which one exposes it. The "Lord of the Flies" is addressing this but Simon only wishes to display positivity for he believes it will free him from his hate. Simon is the only one who understands the "beast" to not be a physical threat, but something that is inside all of them. The beast that Simon portrays is stronger within other characters like Jack and Ralph, but Golding's words suggest Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 8. Human Essay : The Definition Of Human Nature Human nature is generally defined as the general psychological characteristics and behavioral traits that all humans share (Dictionary). This would imply that all humans are born with certain feelings, thoughts or actions that we all have in common. However, this does not take into account the most important part of determining persons characteristics and behaviors, their childhood. Babies are born being neutral and they develop and grow into the person that they will become as an adult. Humans are not born morally good or evil, it is determined by society and its influence on them. Human nature cannot simply be defined by a dictionary because every person has their own definition of what it means. To me, human nature is what truly makes us human. What that means is that it is what sets us aside from other living creatures and makes our species unique. Human nature is our feelings, beliefs and knowledge that no other creature on earth has. We possess the knowledge and understanding to try and rationalize the universe, religion and emotions like no other creature does. Other animals are capable of reproducing and mating, but no other species have romantic relationships that are not strictly for survival purposes. Most animals mate because they must reproduce to keep their species alive but for humans, there are emotions involved and these relationships are chosen based on happiness, not survival. Humans also posses the ability to attempt to understand and rationalize Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 9. Argumentative Essay On Human Nature This essay will argue that it is human nature for people, some more than others, to see themselves as more moral or prosocial than their peers. Numerous articles will be gathered to not only support but contradict this argument. These articles will be analysed and compared to produce a complete argument. The principal objective of the research conducted by Pedregon, C.A., Farley, R.L., Davis, A., Wood, J.M. & Clark, R.D. (2012), was to investigate the better than average effect (BTAE) using a questionnaire to establish if people rated themselves and their family members above average on socially desirable qualities. Pedregon et al (2012) questionnaire contained both the NEO Five Factor Inventory(NEO–FFI) and the Nonadaptive and Adaptive Personality (SNAP). Using both these methods to measure personality traits ensures that they obtain accurate findings which support their hypothesis and give us a good understanding of how people see themselves in relation to others. Pedregon et al (2012) found that participants were more likely to rate themselves as having socially desirable characteristics, this supports the BTAE and also strengthening the interpretation that it is human nature to consider yourself more moral or prosocial than your peers. Moreover, Pedregon et al (2012) sample size consists of 286 undergraduate university students which is a respectable sample size, however a wide range of the students were from Mexico, this is a limitation of the study as it could be Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 10. Shakespeare Human Nature It was very common that authors during the Renaissance Era would mostly talk about their feelings and about human nature. William Shakespeare and Francis Petrarch are both examples of authors that are well known to talk about human nature and expressing their feelings about love, people and nature. Shakespeare's sonnets contain an overall sense of story and deep feelings where the reader can relate. A lot of people like his poems since it is very easy to understand and relate to them. However, we still do not know if they were real life events or not because nobody knows enough about Shakespeare's life to say this is accurate. In the other hand, Francis Petrarch sonnets are also very easy to relate since he talks a lot about love. In his...show more content... In his sonnets not only shows his love side but also how he struggled with self–doubt and insecurities. One example of this would be " All men make faults, and even I in this, authorizing thy trespass with compare, myself corrupting, salving thy amiss, excusing thy sins more than thy sins are" (Sonnet 35, lines 5–8). I think sometimes as humans we tend to judge and blame others even if it's been our fault. In this sonnet he talks how his lover betrayed him and something I actually liked that he said and I think we, as humans should do is that he decides to assume equal guilt despite the pain that his lover gave him. As most of the Renaissance era authors talk about love, there is many times where their sonnets express loss, grief, and pain where we can also relate. An example would be "and yet I live, grief and disdain to me, left where that light I cherished never shows, in fragile bark on the tempestuous sea. Here let my loving song come to a close, the vein of my accustomed art is dry, and this, my lyre, turned at last to tears" (Sonnet 292, lines 9–14). Petrarch is dealing with the death of someone whom he has loved for many years and feels useless and rather be death than suffer and being in this world since she is Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 11. human nature Essay What is human nature? It is very simple. Human nature refers to the patterns of behavior that are typical of our species or our kind. Human undergoes change as all humans grow up they nature seems to change; the environment someone grow up in effects that persons nature. To fully understand human nature Dr. Marvin Harris takes us on trip to time, which makes sense because if we better understand our past and our origin we will better understand our very existence and our nature. We will know more about who we are where we are from and such other questions that puzzle the human mind. As I mentioned before our environment has a great effect on our nature. For example a theory claimed that, the first humans...show more content... However we don't, and that is due to time going by and the changing of the environment. In the book Our Kind Dr. Harris mentions the theory of evolution by Charles Darwin. He went to great details about our closest living relative the chimpanzees, and how their survival was base on they will to fight. Therefore, our willingness to fight wars and kill each other for nonsense reasons is simply our nature. Our behaviors that may be said to be our nature is also depend on the circumstances we encounter in our lives. Such as, it is very rare to find someone who was raised in a dangerous area ahs the same time of nature as someone who was raised in very nice calm area where the biggest crime one could commit is littering. Another issue of Human Nature that shows us how changes in time leads to changes in the way we act and perform is Family life. I will compare family life in early America to family live today in America. The Indian tribes that lived on in this very country we now call ours, they had a custom where they would give away they daughters to much older men if they provided the father of the husband labor or land which was called brides wealth. That way what they believe, what they practice, that was simply they nature of doing things. So really, human nature could also be looked as our way of doing every day things, our practices or Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 12. Maus Essay On Human Nature As time goes by one would think the world is evolving in a positive manner. With all the new technology and new resources, we would assume to be better people than the generation before us. Many would argue that we are better because we are always well informed by the tabloids and social media of what is happening in the world. Unfortunately, we as humans are evolving in a negative manner. Our human nature since generations before us show how cruel we are. In the book, Maus written by Art Spiegelman shows us how malicious and inhuman people can treat each other. The novel illuminates our understanding of human nature as being evil as well as deceiving individuals, who do not act to better the world as time goes on. In the comic, Jews were sent to concentration camps but before they left a riot downtown was described. Vladek said "...Everyone Yelling, "Jews Out! Jews out!"...even two people killed. The police just watched!"(Spiegelman 37). The quote shows how people are constantly being influenced when a higher authority figure has more power than them. In this instance, Hitler had the authority and did not want the best for Jews. Police are to keep everyone safe and control chaos. As we can see in the quote above, the...show more content... Anja knew she involved herself in illegal action by translating communist messages. Instead of hiding the messages in her house, which she knew by doing so she would get arrested. She gave them to her seamstress. Anja said "Miss Stefanska–Please! Hide this package for me–don't tell ANYONE about it!" (Spiegelman 28). She deceived her seamstress because she tricked her into hiding the messages and later on the seamstress paid the price of Anja. Anja gave the envelope full of translated words to her to protect herself, but this does not justify what she did. Spiegelman shows us that instead of accepting our faults we try to blame others for Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 13. 1984 Essay On Human Nature Human nature is the characteristics, feelings and behavioral traits of mankind. Humans are able to express many emotions, such as happiness, anger, fear, and curiosity. George Orwell's novel, 1984 effectively illustrates the variety of personality traits existing among the human population. The text shows Orwell's view on human nature; humans are willing to go against their conscious to take risks and disobey rules that reveal the individual's disloyalty through sexual desires. The text illustrates humans as self–serving individuals, who would take risks and disobey instructions for the sake of personal gain. After Winston and Julia are caught by the Thought Police, they are imprisoned in the Ministry of Love, and he hears a prisoner shout,...show more content... The government of Oceania strongly restrains sexual relationships because a successful totalitarian country cannot accommodate private loyalties since it will often trump loyalty to the party. Since sexual relationships and family relations create private loyalties, the party must somehow control these social acts. Since the government suppresses sexual acts in reality, Winston fulfills his needs in his dreams, for example, Winston imagines "A girl with dark hair was coming towards them across the field. With what seemed a single movement she tore off her clothes and flung them disdainfully aside. Her body was white and smooth, but it aroused no desire in him, indeed he barely looked at it. What overwhelmed him in that instant was admiration for the gesture with which she had thrown her clothes aside" (Orwell 40). An important aspect of the party's oppression of its subjects is the forced repression of sexual appetite. Winston cannot express his sexual desires in reality, therefore, Winston fulfills his sexual needs in the world in which only he can experience. Through Winston's dream, he shows sexual desires are part of human nature. Additionally, Winston unfortunately divorces his former wife named Katharine because she is absurdly devoted to the party and views sex as acting against her Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 14. Kant's View On Human Nature Essentially, all philosophers including Kant and Aristotle approached ethics from a specific conception of human nature. While some saw the good life as the realization or actualization of the potential we possess by the mere virtue of being human beings, others thought that man needs a formal standard of moral judgment that can steer them away from moral inclinations. In this paper, I will talk about Kant's and Aristotle's views on the matter and how it impacted their respective ethical and moral theories. Based on his views on human nature, Aristotle claims that man is naturally blind to issues touching of morality. He argues that human beings are brought to this world without any knowledge thus morality cannot be a part of human nature. Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 15. Human Nature Essay The Evil Nature of Man: An Essay on Human Nature People today enjoy the many pleasures life provides, including entertainment and technology, all the while living longer than ever before. This would not be possible, if it were not for a government that protects it's citizens from danger and promotes peace. Humans are evil by nature, and therefore require some form of power in a society that will protect each person. This evil is described in a interview with a U.S. soldier who after returning from Iraq, found his evil nature to control his emotions toward Muslims, until he was able to join their group, an become a member of their society. Thomas Hobbes, an English Philosopher from the 17th century, wrote a book on the subjects of human...show more content... Of course with this State, the idea of the third law of nature comes into view, with people of the State "perform[ing] their covenants made"(45), having each man follow the rules of the State, which is able to determine for itself what is just and unjust. The violent nature of man is thwarted through the existence of the State, which every man gives up certain rights to, yet gains security and peace from, allowing them to live with instead of war, the pleasures of industry, invention, culture, exploration: all the things that make life worth living (Hobbes 42). This is evidenced by our culture, where most men and women are able to go about their daily lives, enjoying all the pleasures in our society, while our government protects each of its citizens from threats. The only thing we as citizens have to do in return is follow the laws of the government. Another Philosopher, John Locke, took a view that was opposite of Hobbes. In his work "Of the State of Nature," Locke feels that since humans were all equal, left to their own devices, they would be able to establish their own form of government that they themselves could control (48). The argument made starts off in a form similar to Hobbes idea of two men having the same goal, yet in Locke's Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 16. Nature And Human Essay Maria Moiseeva Professor Ahrens English 101 13 August 2014 Illusory Freedom "...Our planet is a lonely speck in the great enveloping cosmic dark. In our obscurity, in all this vastness, there is no hint that help will come from elsewhere to save us from ourselves."–Carl Sagan. If there is only one thing that humanity has to learn, that would be the superior power of compliance with natural laws. Human species have never had any true freedom. Freedom is illusion. When it comes to the order of nature, either you align or you suffer. So, who are we, homo sapiens, a branch of great monkeys, the source of all problems on the Earth, the reason behind dramatic changes of environment,...show more content... Where is the "second chance" for the people and other inhabitants of this planet who died from this man made disasters? These examples prove that there is no such rule of a "second chance" simply because nature doesn't privilege us with one. The relationship of humans to the Earth is an evolutionary process. First Homo sapiens are the most obedient environmentalists of the planet. Many thousands of years ago, our super–monkey brethren began to discover how to engage nature. We went from being completely at the mercy of the habitat, gathering our food with some hunting, living and migrating around the natural seasonal regeneration, to an agricultural revolution, learning how to cultivate food, create more sophisticated tools to ease labor. In fact, this new awareness and ever–increasing understanding to harness the processes of nature to our advantage is what has led to the vast technological innovation and Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 17. Human Nature: Good or Evil? Essay For centuries many philosophers, as well as most individuals, have pondered on the question what is good and what is evil. More–so philosophers of all ages have also stumbled upon a more in depth question which is if the intuitive knowledge of man's nature is good, or if it is evil. Many have claimed to have an answer to these puzzling questions yet most of their answers were found to be incomplete and inadequate at a later date. Religion also tried to provide a solution but to my understanding only caused more of an entanglement if anything. According to the current definition from Webster, good is defined as morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious; where as evil is defined as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked. One could...show more content... Would these people be considered evil and if so how did they become this way? Were they born this was or was it some sort of external forces that led them to become evil? Well according to Hsun Tao, another Chinese philosopher, humans were born of an evil nature and with some sort of guidance from a teacher could learn to become good. He believed that what is natural to human beings is desire and desire inevitably leads to conflict; since this is evil then so is the nature the results within. Yet referring back to the young child and well example, why would most people do the right thing? Is it because they are taught to be good again is it something that is deeper? However, another Chinese philosopher, Kao Tzu, beleived that human nature is neither inherently good nor inherently evil but rather a "blank slate" that could be conditioned in both directions. When an individual is born he/she has no ideas or preexisting behaviors but that through life experiences and external forces, such as family and friends, that influence ones human nature. Or according to John Locke "the mind at birth is a blank white sheet of paper on which experience writes." Religion also claims to provide a solution for whether human nature is initially good or evil but this of course varies upon the religion. According to Catholicism everyone who has been born is tainted with original sin which according to the bible is an inclination to evil caused Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 18. Human Nature Essay Human nature is loosely defined as the ways of thinking, feeling, and acting that that tend to come naturally. Our human nature is a mixture of our own personal beliefs and views as well as the perceptions of our surrounding environment and the society we reside in. It affects the way we interpret and present knowledge without realizing it, including our thoughts and actions. Since writing is just a collection of our thoughts and the way in which we interpret the world, our human nature inevitably seeps into our writing. This paper will argue that the Hesiod's writings, in particular the creation story of Pandora in both Theogony and Works and Days, are heavily influenced by the misogynistic views held by the Greek patriarchal society at the time. The influence of society's misogynistic views on the portrayal of characters and roles are fully exemplified when comparing the creation story of Pandora to that of her male counterpart and Eve. The portrayal of Pandora in Hesiod's Works and Days is filled with the philosophy and viewpoints that men held towards women, greatly influencing her creation. Many of the characteristics possessed by Pandora mirror the viewpoints that men, and in particular Hesiod, had towards women. The mere creation of women, by Zeus, was an idea set around the punishment of man for the acts of Prometheus: "To set against the fire I shall give them an affliction to which they will all delight as they embrace their own misfortune" (W&D 57–59). Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 19. Reflective Essay On Human Nature Despite growing up in a Catholic based family and community, I believe the nature of human beings is a self serving one. Despite the many charitable, loving people in our world, I truly feel that if stripped of necessities or if placed in a difficult position the nature of human beings is to serve themselves. Humans seek survival and such survival is part of our nature, and it is how we adapt to challenging situations. This is not a fluffy, optimistic view ofhuman nature, but it is the most practical and realistic one. When faced with difficult circumstances, people love to think they will help others before themselves. But instinct simply makes this action difficult. I think it goes against our nature to put another before ourselves. And despite the way our human nature is rooted in each of us, I do not believe that nature or nurture can be placed above one another when attempting to determine why a person acts a certain way. Humans as a whole are born with certain characteristics that do not have anything to do with the way they were raised or the situations they encountered while growing up. Many people are simply born with a better understanding of math or English. But in the same aspect, certain characteristics are drastically shaped by a person's experiences in the world. The way a person responds to violence may simply be a learned trait formed over time due to violence in their past. However, I do not believe predetermined characteristics such as these are fate. Get more content on HelpWriting.net
  • 20. Human beings are part of the animal kingdom, and therefore part of nature. If that is true, then everything they create or destroy is by default "natural". I agree with the statement. "One touch of nature makes the whole world kin"–William Shakespeare. The relationship between humans and nature is that we are a part of nature. As per the study of human evolution, scientists discovered a wealth of evidence that shows how closely we are related to the other primates. We humans are an animal species: primate order: mammalian class: vertebrate sub–phylum. The study of Human genetics gave a proof that we are connected to each other and also to other organisms which are part of nature. The Earth is a natural thing, with all earthly inhabitants originated on earth naturally, that means we as humans are natural. The earth itself is an astonishing planet with the fact that life exists on it is an amazing achievement. Evolution is the fact of life and the reason why humans came into existence. Evolution is responsible for all forms of life on earth. The entire natural world, including humans, plants and animals are all directly linked through the evolutionary process. Over the period of time, those species who were best fit to survive remained into existence and those who were unfit got extinct– "survival of the fittest" derived from Charles Darwin evolution theory–The mechanism of natural selection. So just like other existing species, humans have done something right in the Get more content on HelpWriting.net