Analysis on Human Nature

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Human Nature

My goal in this paper is to provide an analysis on human nature, from two different philosophical positions, Darwinism and Marxism. First, I will give an explanation of both Charles Darwin and Karl Marx’s individual views on human nature. Secondly, I will provide an objection to these views and explain how a defendant would respond to their positions. Furthermore, these positions will be evaluated to determine which of these is superior. Finally, I will conclude with my opinion on human nature, and my personal beliefs in the matter. To begin with, what is human nature specifically?

Human nature can be described as the general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioral traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans. Charles Darwin, the father of the evolutionary theory, believed that human nature could be explained trough natural selection. Darwinism supports the idea of human traits such as consciousness, empathy, and compassion being products of evolution. He contends that these mechanisms, which make us unique, are embedded in our genes, and that evolution has shaped us into a special species. Through his theory, we know now why we share the same emotions, hopes, fears and cognitive disruptions. Karl Marx’s theory on the other hand, focuses more on social behavior and status.

While Darwin’s theory is rooted from evolution, Marx believed that human nature stemmed from our place within a community. Marx argued that humans are always in conflict and that our nature can be measured in a social scale. For Marx, there are two types of people, the rich and the poor, the ones who own the tools for the job to get done, and the ones who provide the manpower or skills to get it done. His theory gave an...

... middle of paper ...

...lso argued on which of the two ideas I thought to be superiors and also provided my personal experience on human nature. I will like to end my paper with a quote from Darwin on human nature:

- The moral faculties are generally esteemed, and with justice, as of higher value than the intellectual powers. But we should always bear in mind that the activity of the mind in vividly recalling past impressions is one of the fundamental though secondary bases of conscience. This fact affords the strongest argument for educating and stimulating in all possible ways the intellectual faculties of every human being. (Charles Darwin)

Bibliography

1) Human Nature: An Introduction to Philosophy, Thomas Wall. Wadsworth Cengage Learning

2) Internet Encyclopedia of philosophy. http://www.iep.utm.edu/

3) Stanford Encyclopedia of philosophy. http://plato.stanford.edu/

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