What is Human Nature?What is Human Nature?

What makes us tick?What makes us tick?

What determines our behavior?What determines our behavior?

What makes us human?What makes us human?

There are a set of logical characteristics, There are a set of logical characteristics, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that are assumed to be shared by all 'normal' that are assumed to be shared by all 'normal' human beings.human beings.

The conditioning and programming of behavior The conditioning and programming of behavior that has been experienced in human existence.that has been experienced in human existence.

Influenced by culture, attitudes, emotions, valuesInfluenced by culture, attitudes, emotions, values

Human NatureHuman Nature

Brings forth the idea of “nature versus Brings forth the idea of “nature versus nurture”. What dictates an individual’s nurture”. What dictates an individual’s personality and behavior traits?personality and behavior traits? Nature; innate qualities of individualsNature; innate qualities of individuals Nurture; personal experiencesNurture; personal experiences

The Battle of The Battle of Good Versus EvilGood Versus Evil

Natural EvilsNatural Evils

Natural EvilsNatural Evils

Moral EvilsMoral Evils

Moral EvilsMoral Evils

The Battle of Good Versus EvilThe Battle of Good Versus Evil

• Primitive man’s concepts of Good and Evil Primitive man’s concepts of Good and Evil were based on;were based on;

Good = survival Good = survival Evil = the unknown, unexplainedEvil = the unknown, unexplained

• Through the centuries people created Through the centuries people created images of demons and devils so they could images of demons and devils so they could directly blame a person or object for directly blame a person or object for his/her fears + misfortunes.his/her fears + misfortunes.

According to Socrates, good was According to Socrates, good was knowledge and evil was ignorance.knowledge and evil was ignorance.

NeighboursNeighbourshttp://www.nfb.ca/film/neighbours_voisins/

1.1. Initially how would you characterize Initially how would you characterize the relationship between the two the relationship between the two neighbors?neighbors?

2.2. At what point did that relationship At what point did that relationship change?change?

3.3. What did the flower symbolize?What did the flower symbolize?

4.4. At what point did their actions At what point did their actions become barbaric?become barbaric?

How do people personify How do people personify good??good??

How do people personify evil?How do people personify evil?

Huli warriors planning attack on tribe who Huli warriors planning attack on tribe who stole pigs (Papua New Guinea Highlands stole pigs (Papua New Guinea Highlands

1993)1993)

SamuariSamuari• Ancient Warriors Ancient Warriors

that believed “death that believed “death should be kept close should be kept close in mind”in mind”

• Death for a cause Death for a cause such as protecting such as protecting mastermaster

• If masterless If masterless therefore therefore purposelesspurposeless

• Mass suicidesMass suicides

Are humans good or evil?Are humans good or evil?““Many of you think that this is a strange question; it reallyMany of you think that this is a strange question; it reallydepends on the person in question. True, but here’s why Idepends on the person in question. True, but here’s why I

think it’s an important question. If you peel off all thethink it’s an important question. If you peel off all theshells a person has, like conscience or compassion, a person isshells a person has, like conscience or compassion, a person isbasically evil. Think about it, what is your first reaction whenbasically evil. Think about it, what is your first reaction when

someone hurts himself or herself or performs poorly? Yousomeone hurts himself or herself or performs poorly? Youfeel better. A fraction of a second later you might feel badfeel better. A fraction of a second later you might feel badfor that person, when your shells kick in. The way I see it, afor that person, when your shells kick in. The way I see it, a

person is like the universe. When there is nothing there, it is a person is like the universe. When there is nothing there, it is a veryvery

dark and cold place. But if you light a candle, darkness cannot dark and cold place. But if you light a candle, darkness cannot fight it. Where there is light, darkeness cannot exist. You fight it. Where there is light, darkeness cannot exist. You

cannot create darkness, only remove the light. But if the light cannot create darkness, only remove the light. But if the light disappears, darkness will always be there.”disappears, darkness will always be there.”

- Anonymous- Anonymous

What makes us moral?What makes us moral?

1. Explain “our paradox”1. Explain “our paradox”

We've made such strides towards We've made such strides towards equality, yet commit the most horrific equality, yet commit the most horrific atrocities.atrocities.

We love, empathize, sacrifice (organ We love, empathize, sacrifice (organ donation) and with the same hand have donation) and with the same hand have the power to take it all awaythe power to take it all away

What makes us moral?What makes us moral?

2. How are humans unique?2. How are humans unique?EmpathyEmpathy

3. “Powerful dichotomy”3. “Powerful dichotomy”The instinct to help some and not othersThe instinct to help some and not others

4. “Sense of Community”4. “Sense of Community”The sense of group membership ensures The sense of group membership ensures

one food, family and the protection of one food, family and the protection of predatorspredators

5. “Moral Code” is enforced by threats of 5. “Moral Code” is enforced by threats of shunning, being ostracized and banishmentshunning, being ostracized and banishment

Ancient AthensAncient Athens Athens – democracyAthens – democracy Evil meant too much Evil meant too much

pride, over confidence, pride, over confidence, any action that would any action that would shame the victim, those shame the victim, those that challenged lawsthat challenged laws

In times of war they In times of war they fought because they had fought because they had to.to.

SpartaSparta

Good = rigid, discipline, warfare, asceticism

Evil = going against religious goals, demonstrating weakness

Examples of human natureExamples of human nature