Human Nature versus Human Condition

Throughout the history of philosophy, there have been many fundamental disagreements on the matter of human nature versus human condition. When we contemplate human nature, consider the distinguishing characteristics of humans, including ways of thinking, feeling and acting, that humans tend to have naturally and independently of the influence of culture. However, when we contemplate the human condition, we consider what things encompass the unique features of being human including the meaning of life, the search for gratification and the awareness regarding the inescapability of death as unalterable parts of humanity that are innate to human. While many philosophers have deliberated these matters, three philosophers who had drastically differing views on the topics were Socrates, Hobbes, and Sartre. To compare these philosophers we must first consider their views on human nature versus human condition, after which we can compare their ways of thinking as they relate to moral theory.

Socrates believed that the state of nature was a state of peace among men, and that it provided men with a sense of natural virtue, which helped them to decipher between right and wrong. In the “Republic” he states, “We aren’t all born alike, but each of us differs somewhat in nature from the others, one being suited to one task, and another to another” (370, b). Here he is pointing out that all humans have natural differences that make them better suited for doing specific jobs. These natural abilities provided them with capabilities to assist other men in the state of nature, which they did because their natural virtue allowed them to feel compassion for others. However, living in the state of nature within close proximity of others also caused ...

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...nt upon each other in order to keep peace in the world so we form societies and relinquish our freedoms to help us receive basic needs from others without fear of death. Lastly, Sartre believes that our lives are connected in that we need others to help us define who we are and who we want to become. As you can see, they all agree that as humans whether in nature or in society, strive to maintain connections to one another. These connections are important because by being human and having specific needs that must be met, and cannot be met without the assistance of others we become dependent upon ourselves and others to maintain a sense of virtue in our lives.

Works Cited

Sander-Staudt, Maureen. "Sartre, Jean Paul: Existentialism [Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy]." Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Arizona State University, 19 Mar. 2011. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.