Saturday, February 13, 2010

Human Nature

2/12/10. A colleague asked me whether my opinions about human nature have changed over the years. Here is my response:

  • Human nature is deeply woven with contradictions, conflicts, and discontents.
  • Genetics and environments are equally important contributions to understanding human nature.
  • The proper use of reason is to recognize reason’s limitations. Reason is the “rider” holding the reins on the “elephant” of unconscious desires and values.
  • Understanding human nature springs from the mystery of the generation of consciousness.
  • Consciousness is the basic experience of humans on which our social and personal relationships rest.
  • We do not understand how consciousness is produced nor do we understand its full potential.
  • There is little science that applies to our understanding of human nature. So our understanding of human nature takes the form of stories, religions, ideologies, and beliefs.

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