Human Nature and Ideal Society

2595 Words6 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Topic on human nature

Human Nature and Ideal Society

Works Cited Not Included

Throughout the course of time, many brilliant philosophers have explored the concept of human nature. The question, what motivates humanity has been taken into consideration in the composure of virtually every society. By establishing that premise, many went on to create an ideal society with the intention of developing that thought. In this paper, I will review the thoughts of Plato, Aristotle, Locke, and Marx and show how each theorist's view of human nature is displayed in their own utopia. I will also explain how these theorists's have influenced my own conceptions of human nature, and based on my new enlightened opinions of human nature I will develop my own ideal society.

My original conception of human nature is that man is originally born immoral and self-interested. In spite of this, man is also rational and through life's experience realizes the need to work along with their fellow man in order to progress. I believe that humankind is motivated by egoism and greed, but has the potential to become virtuous through learned behavior. In order to achieve a large amount of what will be fulfilling to the person's needs, they will want to establish relationships with others. By working together, each person is receiving what it is that they need or want. The exchange within that social setting then becomes beneficial to each participating member. By working along with others, progress is also achieved faster and more efficiently. People tend to behave moral and civil while congregating with their peers in order to appeal to others. People realize that by not expressing their direct selfish intentions but rather a polite demeanor people will be more welcoming to t...

... middle of paper ...

...ant to reflect on the views of such brilliant philosophers in order to acquire an impression of historical strife with government. Despite the fact that the ideal societies created by Plato, Aristotle, Locke and Marx never materialized. Their theories will always be considered to remain as important historical pieces. These ideas have helped to influence governments, and in many cases offered the needs and wants of the people at the time. The democratic government of the United States was established on the theories taught by John Locke, whereas Communism in the former Soviet Union was based upon Karl Marx's theories. In conclusion, I feel that although no man can establish the perfect society, people will continue to envision theoretically, what the most fulfilling civilization for man's existence.

All Quotes came from Original Works From Text Used In The Class

Show More
Related

  • Comparing Government In Republic By Plato And Leviathan

    966 Words  | 2 Pages

    There is a diverse amount of themes that could be compared in Republic by Plato and Leviathan by Hobbes. Through these books the two authors each construct a system in which their ideal state can thrive. Both writers agree that government is necessary for the good of the people, however what that government entails drastically differs. Their images of a utopian society are largely based on their perception of human beings. Seeing as how their views on human nature are quite opposite from the other’s, it is understandable that their political theories have many dissimilarities.

    Read More

  • Does Utopian Socialists offer an attractive political reform?

    1639 Words  | 4 Pages

    Utopia is a term invented by Sir Thomas More in 1515. However, he traces the root two Greek words outopia and eutopia which means a place does not exist and a fantasy, invention. It is widely accepted that Plato was to first to picture a utopian order. In his masterpiece, “Republic”, he formed the principles of ideal commonsense and his utopia (Hertzler, 1922:7). After the classical age, Sir Thomas More assumed to be the first of the utopian writers in early modern period. As a humanist, he gave the world in his “Utopia” a vision of a perfect communistic commonwealth (the history of utopian thought). Utopia’s influence on contemporary and rival scholars is so deep that it has given its name to whole class of literature. Following the appearance of More’s Utopia, there was a lack of Utopian literature for nearly a century (Hertzler, 1922:7). This period ended with the works of Francis Bacon, Campanelle and Harrington. These early modern utopians, being the children of Renaissance, filled with a love of knowledge and high respect for the newly truths of science. Thus, they believed that the common attainment of knowledge means the largest participation of all members of society in its joys and benefits. After the period of early Utopians, continuation of a sprit of French Revolution and initial signs of industrial revolution resulted in the emergence of a new group of Utopians called Socialist Utopians (Hertzler, 1922: 181). The word “Socialism” seems to have been first used by one of the leading Utopian Socialists, St Simon. In politics utopia is a desire that never come true neither now nor afterwards, a wish that is not based on social forces (material conditions and production) and is not supported by the growth and development of political, class forces. This paper discusses the validity of this claim, tries to present and evaluate the political reforms, if any, offered by Socialist Utopians.

    Read More

  • Platonic Epoch Essay

    683 Words  | 2 Pages

    THE ANSWER A world where people and things are integrated, purposeful, beautiful is a description of the Aristotelian epoch as written by Richard E. Rubenstein. Though this vision of an ideal society (where economic growth, political expansion, and cultural optimism contribute as characteristics of that epoch) is inspiring, they are not achievable, if not ever, not yet, at least. On the other hand, Platonic epoch was described like the contrary; where humans are still held back from the full potential of humanity, with vices like self-hatred, intolerance and fanaticism. This essay will support and give explanations about why the Platonic epoch seems to be more appropriate to describe the present time in the perspective of the writer.

    Read More

  • Comparing John Locke and Thomas Hobbes

    1242 Words  | 3 Pages

    Many people have different views on the moral subject of good and evil or human nature. It is the contention of this paper that humans are born neutral, and if we are raised to be good, we will mature into good human beings. Once the element of evil is introduced into our minds, through socialization and the media, we then have the potential to do bad things. As a person grows up, they are ideally taught to be good and to do good things, but it is possible that the concept of evil can be presented to us. When this happens, we subconsciously choose whether or not to accept this evil. This where the theories of Thomas Hobbes and John Locke become interesting as both men differed in the way they believed human nature to be. Hobbes and Locke both picture a different scene when they express human nature.

    Read More

  • Manipulative Systems: Illusions of Freedom

    1411 Words  | 3 Pages

    philosophers during the Enlightenment period began expressing ideas that seeked to reform and create a system that would be beneficial to its people, as well as create everlasting peace without corruption; however, only one of these philosophical ideas were able to come up with a solution for a perfect government.

    Read More

  • John Locke And Niccolo Machiavelli Research Paper

    1350 Words  | 3 Pages

    While history continues to be made everyday that goes by, we take a look at three famous philosophers to interpret their ideas. These philosophers include John Locke, Karl Marx, and Niccolo Machiavelli. They all have something in common, which is to observe and form an opinion on the human nature of people and how society works as a whole. Even though all three discuss about the same topic, their ideas are quite different from one another. While Locke and Marx place their opinions on human reasoning, Machiavelli does not. Each of their opinions derived from the actions that people make, such as Locke, who believes that all humans are created equal, Marx who believes that people are consciously good and will do the right thing to balance society, and Machiavelli on the other hand, who believes people are selfish and will act in accordance to their best interest.

    Read More

  • Ideal Society

    1643 Words  | 4 Pages

    Democratic societies are were the people are involved in the decision making of the government and have representation. In Thomas Paine’s Thoughts on the Present State of American Affairs, Paine desired for the colonies to go to war against Britain to gain independence, while having the feeling that Britain was exploiting the colonies. Paine explains the disadvantages of the colonies being connected with Britain. In Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Divinity School Address he brings forth a moral argument. He discusses the relationship between man, soul, God, and the church. In Henry David Thoreau’ On the Duty of Civil Disobedience, Henry believes in the act of civil disobedience, in which man does not need the government as much as they think they do. Henry promotes the idea of individuality, in which man could do better than the government in various situations. Thomas Paine, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and Henry David Thoreau, were American writers who generated their own ideas of an ideal American society, where people have involvement with the government or church.

    Read More

  • An Analysis of Matt Ridley’s The Origins of Virtue

    968 Words  | 2 Pages

    Inwardly examining his own nature, man would prefer to see himself as a virtuously courageous being designed in the image of a divine supernatural force. Not to say that the true nature of man is a complete beast, he does posses, like many other creatures admirable traits. As author Matt Ridley examines the nature of man in his work The Origins of Virtue, both the selfish and altruistic sides of man are explored. Upon making an honest and accurate assessment of his character, it seems evident that man is not such a creature divinely set apart from the trappings of selfishness and immorality. Rather than put man at either extreme it seems more accurate to describe man as a creature whose tendency is to look out for himself first, as a means of survival.

    Read More

  • Theme of Utopia in The Giver

    808 Words  | 2 Pages

    This serene society greatly contradicts the one we live in. Our society is furnished with hatred and warfare, yet in return, we are given freedom and the privilege of having distinctive characters. Given the nature of human beings, our society is more idealistic to live in. Utopia is an imaginary state, which consists of people who believe they are more capable of living in a group than alone. In such a community, the welfare of the group is the primary interest compared to the comfort of individuals.

    Read More

  • Comparing the Societies in Machiavelli's The Prince and More's Utopia

    963 Words  | 2 Pages

    A perfect society has always been the goal for many; unfortunately it has only existed in books. The Prince by Niccoló Machiavelli, written in 1513, provides necessary information to become a Prince who will obtain, keep, and please his empire. Thomas More's Utopia, written in 1516, creates an ideal civilization that will live happily, comfortably, and without any problems. Both books attempted to solve problems within a society by critiquing other institutions and creating their own solutions. With the rise in cities, trade, and the economy in the 15th century, people began to realize order and structure in a society is necessary to flourish. Machiavelli and More left a modern legacy by striving for a better well being in societies and creating an ideal civilization that would prosper even in times of social, economic, and political difficulty.

    Read More

  • Thomas Hobbes: What Is Our True Identity?

    1414 Words  | 3 Pages

    Whether human nature is fundamentally selfish or altruistic is a question that challenge lots of researchers back in the time, and even today. Some people, such as Thomas Hobbes, claimed that man 's nature is basically evil and selfish. However, Joseph Butler, a philosopher, disagreed with this idea. For him, goodness consists in having what he calls the ‘principle of reflection’ govern and control our passions. People always want to know the true, but there is no answer for this question, so we have to find it out base on our knowledge and beliefs. It is important to know what is our true identity when we were born. In my mind, no one is perfect, everyone has the dark-side in themselves. People cannot deny that there is no mistake have

    Read More

  • Human Nature and Proper Order

    1724 Words  | 4 Pages

    Proper Order in Confucianism and as taught primarily by Mencius, the Chinese philosopher, is the conceptual theory that instructs how people can reach their highest potential of moral and material well being embodied in Mencius' conception of human nature. The theory of proper order is the primary and philosophical means to that end. Although proper order may seem in many ways philosophically abstract, Mencius' teachings of proper order in history have had lasting and tangible effects on modern East Asian politics and its relationship between the state and society, and even on a narrower level of the individual and community. In fact, the theory of proper order starts first at the individual level and from there flourishes to create a positive rippling effect throughout all of society. This profound theory and its ideals is credited with developing a social society in East Asia which acknowledges the great potential of each of its citizens, but still aspires to consider the effects of individual actions on the common good and not to just ignore the interests of society as a whole. This has helped guide East Asia through its long and colorful history and has helped to shape it into the political and economic powerhouse that it is today. But where exactly did such a significant theory which has helped to define an entire society come from? What exactly is proper order, how can we create it, and why is it needed to achieve Mencius' human nature? Most of these questions can be answered in explaining the fundamental virtue that all humans have according to Mencius, our humaneness defined in human nature.

    Read More

  • Influnce of Human Nature and Politics in a City

    1631 Words  | 4 Pages

    In Plato’s republic, a philosophical account on the kallipolis (the beautiful city) is built on the perspective of Socrates and his discussion between his companions. In the republic, the city in which ones live in depends on the soul and the character of the city one lives in. In this paper the character of human nature and politics will be discussed in how a city is ought to be by the influence of human nature and politics. Firstly, the influence of human nature on politics will be looked at, for example according to Plato on behalf of Socrates; he claims that a just soul creates a just society, where it is human nature to be just, that influences in creating a just political system. Secondly, politics influences human nature, where in the republic when the discussion of guardians starts out between Socrates and the companions, there is political thought discussed between them, where Socrates wants to create the perfect guardians through specific training in all types of skills instituted to creating a perfect protector. Lastly, human nature is human soul if the soul is just the city is going to be just. It is the human nature which has created communities without any political thought put in place; it political thought that forms rules and laws. Thus, human nature is part of the individual understanding of its society that creates an understanding of how one ought to be, which in turns creates rules and laws that is essentially viewed as politics.

    Read More

  • Free Essays - Human Nature in Hamlet

    592 Words  | 2 Pages

    The play, Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, shows human nature to be greedy, self-involved and vengeful. Claudius is driven by his greed to commit murder. Polonius is always looking out for himself, currying favor at the expense of anyone in his way. Hamlet thinks only of vengeance from the moment he finds out about Claudius murdering his father. Human nature has been all of these things, but it has also evolved through the ages. We can be base and cruel, but we can also show great compassion and kindness.

    Read More

  • Human Nature in Realism and Liberalism

    1893 Words  | 4 Pages

    Thomas Hobbes (1588-1683) on the other hand, redefined the concept of human nature when challenging the classical view of human nature by Aristotle as idealistic perceptive of humans controlling their desire through reason, simultaneously being moral and social animals by nature. According to Hobbes, the human being is not moral, nor social, but has: “a perpetual and restless desire of power after power, that ceases only in death” (Hobbes 2009, XI 2). With the inevitable and constant struggle for power, Hobbes contributed to conceptualize human nature, which became fundamental in realism. Hobbes characterized human nature as egoistic within the state of nature, and introduces the social contract theory in order for man to survive in anarchy.

    Read More

More about Human Nature and Ideal Society

Open Document