HUMAN NATURE
Stimulus
Professors at Alabama Birmingham University, Arnold, Benditt and Graham, explore what it means
to be human in their 1998 book, ‘Philosophy Then and Now’.
Questions
A key line from the text, “human beings have a peculiar character and role”, raises specific
questions regarding human nature, such as, ‘Do we have an essence? Do we all share this
essence?’
Debate
These concepts relate to the issue of whether human nature is a universal notion, that is shared
amongst all human beings.
Do we all have a purposeful character created by God, or does an individual have the ability to
determine their own nature?
In other words, does essence precede existence, or does existence precede essence?
Philosophies
These different perspectives could be summarised by the philosophies of essentialism and
existentialism.
Essentialism suggests that all human beings contain a set of characteristics that are present prior to
one’s existence.
On the other hand, existentialism suggests that all human beings are responsible agents that have
the freedom to determine their own development and characteristics.
Philosophers
Two philosophers that embody these arguments are St Thomas Aquinas and Jean-Paul Sartre.
Aquinas and his belief of the natural law, advocates for a purposive, universal nature instilled by a
divine creator, whereas Sartre’s existentialist theory suggests that there is no particular human
nature, only the one we invent for ourselves.
Societal Implications
In terms of societal implications, the essentialism, existentialism discourse has the potential to
greatly impact the wellbeing of communities.
For some people, the existentialist view can be liberating, knowing that there is complete freedom
in their actions.
However, for others it can be overwhelming to believe that they are ultimately responsible for
instilling meaning into their lives, causing what is known as ‘existential angst’.
Additionally, if existentialism prevails one must face the valueless universe that holds no intrinsic or
divine meaning. Essentialism provides comfort in the belief of a plan and an order to existence.
Although, as Sartre explains through his notion of ‘bad faith’, one may ignore the human capacity
for fluidity, only accepting what they believe is destined for their life (for example, some hold the
ideology that virginity must be maintained until marriage).
Evaluation
This essay will critically evaluate both perspectives, finding that whilst the essentialist natural law
theory is thorough and defendable, it contains faults and is defective as a description of human
nature.
Aquinas makes logical errors in deriving an ‘ought’ from an ‘is’, ignoring crucial aspects of human
nature but also founding his theory on the existence of a god.
On the contrary, Sartre’s existentialist theory is a more plausible and accurate interpretation of our
identity, despite any criticisms present such as quietism, solipsism, and moral contradictory.
Hence, the conclusion can be made, contrary to the belief held by the authors of ‘Philosophy Then
and Now’, that there is no universal human nature, and no ‘peculiar character and role’.
Aquinas
About Aquinas and General Theory
St Thomas Aquinas was a Christian theologian of the 13th century, greatly influenced by Aristotle
and his teleological world view.
Purpose and Aristotle
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