Human Nature

Is this a topic on Human Nature, or a topic on how the seven deadly sins of Christianity affect Human Nature and in turn are a part of the very fiber of every human, whether he or she likes it?

I think human behavior is extremely complex and any attempt to simplify in a neat manner is wrong. The most promising work being done right now is with neuroscience.

It's pretty much trying to actually get into the Black Box B.F. Skinner wanted to avoid.

No, it's an extremely pessimistic and self-demeaning look at human nature. It's almost masochistic if you ask me. You can just as well flip everything and call that human nature, whatever that means.

The problem with the concept of "human nature" is that it's too moralistic. At the very least, assumptions like "humans are rational" in economics are sort of a way to simplify things and make models, whereas the Seven Deadly Sins is just a way to put down people and make them feel dependent on some third party to become "pure".

Many philosophers argued that humans are innately bad. I agree with this and think that the 7 sins being basic qualities are possible.

The thoughts we express have only the purpose of influencing future movement. See here: http://www.ted.com/talks/daniel_wolpert_the_real_reason_for_brains.html

Citation needed. I can't recall a well-known philosopher that does.

What an intriguing perspective. I never thought of that... I suppose it is true... You just blew my mind or this dank is way too good.

Human nature is human nature, like 4chan is 4chan.

i think human nature is to conquer and keep, basically our nature is just upgraded nature of a beast. We want more, we want this, we want that and thats human.

7 sins are just classification of our nature i believe.

Nice.....very nice man......probably the root of all bullshit of the world, that is, human nature. Ermm, lemme put that bluntly, but if someone thinks human nature is complex, well*snickers* I beg to differ.
See, humans, are the most powerful, beings in this world. Such overwhelming intelligence and physical capability, makes a human unstoppable. Nevertheless, this power becomes so strong, that human itself can't control it. That is, leading to his most fatal flaws. I remember my Values teacher teaching us the 7 cardinal/deadly sins, and about your theory that it is human's real nature, I think that is wrong.

Why?

One,human nature revolves only to one principle, survival. Regarding the fact that he is also an animal, that procreate, that withers and dies. Now, that is simple as it seems, but what makes it so complex?? Humans feel, pain, joy, suffering. That is, with the brain's vast core of explanations and interpretations, it tends to differ from one person to another, other animals don't have much that of capacity to think out of the blue and other stuff, so other species don't improve, or somehow, evolve mentally. Now, humans are exactly the opposite. They develop their heads rather that grow wings or fins in their bodies, only that their brain and manipulative skills are their only stand against nature. Now back to interpreting segregations, that is where sparks fly. Humans, as a savage, tends to stand up for his belief. Example, choosing which road to take, and choosing what type of food they'll eat. Rooting from this, people tend to choose their own paths, make generations of their own, and propagate their beliefs. Now, this is where morality, spirituality and values roots. Well, I don't really give a damn about this principles, for they are only made by humans. But, the truth about human nature lies in his ancestors. Ever wonder why people have same levels of stupidity, savageness, and brutality, because, to put it bluntly, we are cavemen in coats and jackets, gentlemen, it's the truth.

Now, before I take my leave, I have a question for every single one of you.
How would you differ a "right" thing from the "wrong" one?

I already have my answer.
Exactly my point.

You might be interested in this article: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/29/science/human-natures-pathologist.html?ref=science

I dont know why you got negative repped, I didnt think you really had that bad of a point.

...What a load of horse shit.

If it were true that basic human nature via these 'seven deadly sins' was the root of all evil in the world, we wouldn't be where we are right now. you know, with societies, and laws, and rules to live by.

Why would we form societies if we're all greedy lustful wrathful gluttonous envious prideful monsters?

The thing is, we evolved as social creatures. We recognized a goal to survive and also recognized that working together cooperatively, and being nice to eachother, was the most conducive set of actions to accomplish this goal. Are we BORN knowing right from wrong? No, this is something that's learned. But it doesn't have to be INSTILLEd in us either. I didn't have to be TOLD that hitting people in the balls was wrong, I figured it out after I was hit in the balls at the age of 7 playing t-ball. I didnt have to be told stealing was wrong, because when my brother stole money from me at the age of 5 after I had saved up $50 of doing small favors for my dad, I cried.

Now, how did these thigns teach me that these things were wrong? Two things. One, after some very brief thought, it simply makes sense that if I don't want these things done to me, I ought not do them to other people. and I'm able to tell when people are doing wrong via empathy. I can place myself in other's shoes and figure out what it feels like, and from there determine that an action was favorable or unfavorable.

Humans are moral, because we have to be. We can't develop any other way BECAUSE of our social species status. We HAVe to deal with eachother, so we HAVE to be good to eachother, or bad thigns are liable to happen. And this isn't exclusive to hman societies either by the by. Chimps and other apes shun some of their own kind from their groups if these individual apes steal from others, or start hurting the group physically. Wolves don't allow those that fuck with the pack to stay IN the pack. This is...or at least SHOULD be...common sense.

Human nature is not fixed in the long-term. What we consider "human nature" in the short-term is simply a by-product of nature itself; a by-product of the environment around us and the genetic material contained within our cells, which has been constantly modified over thousands of generations.

I would not classify the "7 Cardinal Sins" as being the very basics of our nature. Most are aspects acquired from the experiences we have in our own life, not from genetic inheritance.

I dont see whats so great about the seven deadly sins, we do them everyday, and we dont see it affecting out lifes.
Sorry i didnt read it im just guessing what your talking about.

I agree with BigLundi. The seven deadly sins are not the only qualifications of human nature. Obviously empathy is an important trait that lets us extend past ourselves. Love as well is is a major aspect of interaction. The list goes on and it is naive to think that our nature can be described by 7 words.

Human nature is instinct coupled with intelligence. We're the most complex animal on earth in terms of behaviour. For example: We can have one partner or multiple partners, we can be gay or straight, we can be the Alpha or one of the pack, or we can even choose to be a Lone Wolf. And finally, we can choose to ridicule someone else for something, or defend them.

People forget that we're animals too. The only thing that sets us apart is a superiority complex to other animals, because we're more intelligent and are far more complicated than say, a housecat.