HUMAN NATURE THROUGH THE PERSPECTIVE OF EVOLUTIONARY THEORY OF STEVEN PINKER

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
James Farlow Mendrofa ◽  
Chaidir Ashari
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Evolutionary Theory ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Life Itself ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Blank Slate ◽  
Theory Of Human Nature

The theory of human nature plays an important role in life. It acts as a trigger as well as a purpose for human life itself. Theories of human nature presented by Religion and Empirical Theory are widely believed to date. Nonetheless, it seems like they have reach an absolute point, thus closed the possibility for new questioners to find novelty in their explanation. This research is made by conducting critical analysis on two classical notions that explained human nature, namely religious explanation and the empirical (the blank slate theory) explanation. Through critical analysis, it is found that new explanations are needed in the conception of the theory of human nature, with the research questions: What kind of human nature theory can embrace human being as of today? Therefore, through the alternative explanation method, the author offers an alternative conception of the human nature. Human Nature is a combination of the innate mechanism and the environment. This conception was born through a critical analysis towards some works with the evolutionary theory perspective, primarily the work of Steven Pinker, who believed that there were innate mechanisms in human beings, as a result of evolution so far.

Internet memes we live by (and die by)

2020 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 145-173
Author(s):  
Chaoqun Xie
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Social Practices ◽  
The Internet ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Transformative Power ◽  
Internet Age ◽  
Good And Evil ◽  
Revaluation Of Values

Abstract In the internet age, memes are at once products and driving forces of social practices. A meme contains a memetic message and a meme output, and boasts, if guided by a pragmatic way of thinking, several features, including but not limited to salience, frequency, adaptability, argumentativity, sociality, embeddedness, embodiedness, locality, relativity, emotionality and dynamicity. The current global COVID-19 pandemic serves as a fitting and timely touchstone to testify how human beings are surrounded by numerous good and evil memes in the online world, and how internet memes, as can be seen from the illustration of two specific memes, namely, the ‘stay home, stay safe’ meme and the ‘wear a mask’ meme, are impacting human life-worlds, online and offline, with their transformative power, be it constructive or destructive. Moreover, researching how memes plays a decisive part in internet-mediated interaction provides a lens of insight through which ‘deep states’ of human nature of both self and others can be uncovered and through which what Nietzsche called “a revaluation of values” is possible.

Religion and the ‘sensitive branch’ of human nature

2010 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 251-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
BENJAMIN D. CROWE
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
David Hume ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Human Beings

AbstractWhile the theses that (1) human beings are primarily passional creatures and that (2) religion is fundamentally a product of our sensible nature are both closely linked to David Hume, Hume's contemporary Henry Home, Lord Kames (1696–1782), also defended them and explored their implications. Importantly, Kames does not draw the same sceptical conclusions as does Hume. Employing a sophisticated account of the rationality of what he calls the ‘sensitive branch’ of human nature, Kames argues that religion plays a central role in the development and perfection of human life.

scholarly journals Jamais fomos humanos | We have never been human

2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frederic Vandenberghe
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Industrial Capitalism ◽  
Technology And Society ◽  
Technological Mediation ◽  
Nature And Culture ◽  
Culture Technology ◽  
Post Humanism

Resumo Este artigo propõe uma análise crítica das teses pós-humanistas. Lendo teorias que estão direta ou indiretamente associadas ao pós-humanismo, tais como as de Leroi-Gourhan, Deleuze e Simondon, o autor apresenta uma história sobre a complexidade organizada, a mediação tecnológica e a alienação humana. O artigo é dividido em três partes. Explorando a tese da tecnologia como exteriorização dos órgãos, a primeira parte analisa o pós-humanismo como uma ‘teoria da alienação sem alienação’ que sistematicamente dissolve as fronteiras entre o humano e o não-humano, a natureza e a cultura, a tecnologia e a sociedade. Em seguida, através de uma investigação da ‘heterogênese maquínica’, argumenta-se que a ‘ópera maquínica’ de Deleuze e Guattari simplesmente atola o humano no magma da Vida. Por fim, focando sobre a lógica científica das tecnociências, o artigo conclui mostrando que as ciber- e biotecnologias do capitalismo industrial tardio estão reescrevendo a natureza e transformando as relações entre o humano, a vida e a máquina.Palavras-chave pós-humanismo; hominização; alienação; tecnociências; biocapitalismo.  Abstract This article proposes a critical analysis of the post-humanist thesis. Examining theories that are directly or indirectly associated with post-humanism, such as those of Leroi-Gourhan, Deleuze and Simondon, the author presents a story about organized complexity, technological mediation and human alienation. The article is divided in three parts. Exploring the thesis of technology as exteriorization of the organs, the first part analyzes posthumanism as a "theory of alienation without alienation" that systematically dissolves the boundaries between the human and the non-human, nature and culture, technology and society. Through an investigation of "machinic heterogenesis", it next argues that Deleuze’s "machinic opera" simply swamps the human into the magma of Life. Finally, focusing on the scientific logic of the techno-sciences, the article concludes by showing that cyber- and biotechnologies of late industrial capitalism are rewriting nature and transforming the relations between the human, life and the machine.Keywords post-humanism; humanization; techno-sciences; bio-capitalism. 

Humean Reflections in the Ethics of Bernard Williams

Utilitas ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 312-325 ◽  
Author(s):  
LORENZO GRECO
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Bernard Williams ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Ethical Perspective ◽  
Character Formation ◽  
Psychological Mechanism ◽  
Strong Resemblance ◽  
Theory Of Human Nature

In this article I maintain that the anti-theoretical spirit which pervades Williams's ethics is close to the Humean project of developing and defending an ethics based on sentiments which has its main focus in the virtues. In particular, I argue that there are similar underlying themes which run through the philosophies of Hume and Williams, such as the view that a correct ethical perspective cannot avoid dealing with a broader theory of human nature; the conviction that this inquiry cannot be developed in abstraction from the contingencies which are distinctive of the lives of flesh-and-blood human beings driven by passions; and the belief that the notion of character plays a key role in identifying and morally evaluating such lives. Finally, Williams' account of the psychological mechanism of shame in explaining character formation bears a strong resemblance to Hume's treatment of the passion of humility.

scholarly journals Penerapan Athiti Krama Dalam Peningkatan Mutu Pendidikan Agama Hindu Pada Pasraman Dharma Bhakti Gianyar

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 163
Author(s):  
I Gusti Ayu Oka Silantari ◽  
I Ketut Mardika
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Learning Process ◽  
Social Order ◽  
Social Life ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Human Being ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Advanced Society ◽  
The People ◽  
The World

<p><em>In human nature, apart from being individual beings as well as social beings who have their own culture. Culture arises in humans due to reason and thought in the human being itself. Humans will be able to live perfectly when they live together with other humans, in relation to other humans, certain norms or rules are needed. In the regulation, one of them was written about the procedure for honoring guests called Athiti Krama. Athiti Krama gives motivation in human life because through this human being can foster good relations between humans one with other human beings in harmony. The implementation of Athiti Krama can be found in societies everywhere in the world, both in the advanced society and the people who are still modest in their civilization.<br /> In social life, everyone should behave well so as to create happiness for themselves and the community, because in the teachings of Hinduism, Athiti Krama teachings are basically contained which can bring people to achieve harmony in social order in society. The basis of Athiti Krama's teachings is the ethics or morality that many of the Vedic scriptures have mentioned, one of which is Tri Kaya Parisudha. Considering the importance of Athiti Krama as a social guide in people's lives. So it should be known to be applied in the learning process in Pasraman Dharma Bhakti.</em><strong><em></em></strong></p>

scholarly journals Rationality, Animality, and Human Nature: Reconsidering Kant’s View of the Human/Animal Relation

Konturen ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. 62
Author(s):  
David Craig
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Human Animal ◽  
Theory Of Human Nature

Kant is often criticized for his strict separation of humans and animals as categorically distinct entities. This separation hinges on the fact that, for Kant, humans are rational, while non-human animals are wholly irrational. This essay argues that a strict separation of rational humanity and irrational animality, prominent in many areas of Kant’s thinking, does not characterize his view of the human/animal relation overall. For, within Kant’s theory of human nature, rationality and animality are in fact entwined, with both contributing to the goodness and full realization of human life. Through engagement with a range of Kant’s writings on human nature, it is suggested that Kant’s view of the human/animal relation merits reconsideration by Kant scholars and animal-oriented philosophers alike.

Turning to Aquinas on Virtue

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Candace Vogler
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Moral Philosophers

This chapter provides a sketch of Aquinas’s understanding of the nature of virtue and its role in human life, stressing some of the advantages Aquinas's account has over Aristotle’s and touching on such matters as the distinction between acquired and infused virtues, the essentially corrective character of virtue on Aquinas’s account, and some ways in which his undeniably theological account might nevertheless be useful for non-theistic moral philosophers. The chapter favors a reading of Aquinas on human nature emphasizing the sense in which humans are meant to pursue good and avoid bad reasonably, even though we are rarely entirely well governed in this sense. In different ways, both acquired and infused virtue help human beings to order themselves and their lives, enabling smoother, wiser, and less fraught lives.

scholarly journals Creative Weeding and Other Everyday Experiments in the Garden

2008 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 86-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erin K. Despard
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Change ◽  
Human Nature ◽  
Critical Analysis ◽  
Experimental Approach ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Ways Of Thinking

Weeding is a mundane activity that nonetheless affords the opportunity to reorient garden practices in a manner that is more open with regard to relations between humans and non-human beings. Based on a critical analysis of what constitutes a weed and the psychological and political significance of weeding, as well as a consideration of the agency of plants generally, I argue that a more creative or experimental approach to weeding may help to unsettle otherwise habitual and unreflective practices. Enabling individuals to become more open to new ways of doing things in the garden and new ways of thinking about non-human nature, may in turn contribute to the efficacy of collective responses to environmental change.

scholarly journals HOMO MILITARIS: WHY DO HUMANS WANT TO WAGE WARS?

2019 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Armed Conflict ◽  
Homo Sapiens ◽  
Human Life ◽  
Armed Conflicts ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Causes Of War ◽  
Natural Sense ◽  
The Universe ◽  
Ambiguous Position

The phenomenon of war occupies one of the leading places in socio-philosophical and cultural studies. War also has an ambiguous position in human life. On the historical map we see the ongoing waves of armed conflicts, which inevitably lead to fatal consequences for countries, peoples and human beings. War mainly appears in the form of horrors and tragedies. However, in philosophical studies, war is considered from different angles. Philosophers often emphasize the ambiguity and multidimensionality of war. In this work, the authors analyze the phenomenon of war, given a certain “attractiveness” and even the “necessity” of this phenomenon for humans. The authors also summarize the available range of answers to the question of where the desire for violence comes from, that is, the so-called “thirst for war”. It is this desire that gives rise to a constant stay of people in a state of war. The results of this study show that war is indeed an important phenomenon, which can also be considered one of the fundamental attributes of human nature. Analyzing various approaches that explain the causes of war (naturalistic, psychological, economic, etc.) the authors note that the source of any armed conflict is precisely the “militancy” in the very essence of homo sapiens. Human beings must constantly fight for their existence. And such a struggle often takes various forms, which can be considered as concrete variants of the same phenomenon. This phenomenon at the theoretical and philosophical level is fixed in the concept of war. Despite the natural sense of horror that the word “war” evokes at the level of everyday consciousness, pain and hope, death and freedom, faith in human and the justice of the universe, as well as a willingness to fight for this justice, are simultaneously hidden under this “ language shell”. All these internally contradictory meanings are united within the framework of the philosophically processed concept of war, and are also embodied in many different “wars” that a person constantly wages due to his / her specific “being structure”. Human, therefore, is a “warring creature,” or, as the authors propose to denote this feature, “homo militaris”.

God Belief as an Innate Aspect of Human Nature: A Response to John Shook and Questions for Justin Barrett

2017 ◽  
Vol 29 (4-5) ◽  
pp. 387-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julie J. Exline ◽  
David F. Bradley ◽  
Alex Uzdavines ◽  
Nick Stauner
Keyword(s):  
Human Nature ◽  
Religious Belief ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Research Questions ◽  
Innateness Hypothesis ◽  
Blind Spots

Abstract John Shook’s article “Are People Born to be Believers, or are Gods Born to be Believed?” (this volume) critiques research findings and writings by Justin Barrett suggesting that god beliefs may be innate among human beings. In response to points raised by Shook, we first discuss several complications that need to be balanced when defining and assessing the innateness hypothesis. Second, we address the question of how both god believers and nonbelievers might have both favorable and unfavorable responses to claims of god beliefs being innate. Third, we consider whether certain additional features, besides (vague) god beliefs themselves, might be part of a human predisposition toward religious belief. We agree with Shook’s claims that researchers’ own beliefs may impact their research questions, methods, and interpretations of findings. Given the pervasive risk of blind spots and biases, we conclude by emphasizing the need for accountability, transparency, skepticism, open-mindedness, and collegiality among scholars.

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