Detailed bullet-point essay plan discussing the statement ‘There is no such thing as a distinctive human nature'. Written by a student aiming for top grades and includes a personal thesis statement. Includes scholars such as Hitchens/Augustine/Pinker/Freud/Plato/Aristotle/Pelagius and more.
‘There is no such thing as a distinctive human nature.’
Intro:
• St Augustine - theologian influenced by Plato + the Manichaeans.
> Doctrine of Original Sin - illustrated human nature, damaged by the Fall.
> ‘City of God’.
• Can be explored in different aspects - spiritual + biological/psychological.
Thesis:
• Fundamentally - yes.
> We all have a similar biological makeup - built with internal instincts that promote our
survival.
> eg, avoid pain/suffering + seek pleasure.
> Could be interpreted to mean avoid sin + seek good.
• However - not in the way that Augustine believed firmly.
> Concept of OS - incredible outdated + pessimistic.
> Contradicts Biblical teachings of Jesus’ sacrifice.
• From a scientific/objective view.
> Even many Christians disagree with Augustine’s teachings.
> Biology suggests that human nature is not as described by Augustine.
Augustine: ‘City of God’
• Before the Fall.
> Balance + harmony between the soul + body.
> No need for repressive authority - leaders were more like shepherds.
> Adam + Eve were fully committed to serving God’s will.
• After the Fall.
> Strained relationship with God.
> eg, pain during childbirth.
> Need for repressive authority.
> Can be understood literally/metaphorically.
> Although - either way still teaches that is is not in God’s will to sin.
> Only God is perfection - provides a warning for this lifetime.
• Refers to Biblical evidence - authority for Christians.
> eg, pain during childbirth + Genesis.
> Romans - “all have sinned + fall short of the glory of God”.
> Crucifixion of Jesus - necessary for atonement.
• Acknowledges flawed state of humanity.
> Imperfect beings - war/suffering/impact on the natural world/etc.
• However - Hitchens.
> Account of the Fall just reflects ancient culture.
> Just humans trying to assert control over each other - doesn’t come from God.
• Encourages historical interpretation of the Fall.
> Exclusivist attitude - nothing to say that Christianity is the true religion.
> Ignores history of other religions that suggest otherwise.
Augustine + free will:
• Humans must have free will in order to genuinely choose to be good.
> Our free will is damaged by OS - we have the willingness/urge to sin.
> Inherited spiritual defect as a result of the Fall - we have become it.
> Christians can be saved through baptism.
• Pelagius - Christian monk who rejected OS.
> We have sufficient free will to overcome personal sin.
> Children are born in the same state as Adam + Eve before the Fall.
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