Assignment Prompt & Instructions
attached
– ## Week5Assignments.docx
– ## SLIPSANDHUMANNATURE-WDSilkworth.pdf
– ## AvocadoVsArtichokeViewsOfSelf.pdf
– ## WhyisitEspeciallyImportanttoUnderstandHumanNature.pdf
– EssentialHumanNature.pptx
– PHILOSOPHYOFMINDandHUMANNATURE.pdf
– TreatiseofHumanNatureBook1-Hume.pdf
– TheLawsofHumanNature-RobertGreen.pdf
**## Week5Assignments.docx**
**Week 5 Assignment 2: CPI GROUP DISCUSSION 5: Racial and Ethnic Labels**
To what extent do racial and ethnic labels, as well as gender, shape how we think of ourselves? Is it possible it possible to ignore those characteristics? Can we be completely color and gender blind?
**Your responses must be no less than 200 words.**
**Week 5 Assignment 3: Short Essay 5- File upload**
Write at least a 3-page paper, no more than 4, comparing the difference between the Artichoke and Avocado view of human nature and which one do you mostly agree with and why. Make sure you utilize your handouts and online resources. Use complete sentences and proper grammar.
**Week 6 Assignment 2: DISCUSSION 6: Philosophy and Ultimate Reality**
Why do you think God allows pandemics like Covid-19 into the world and humans? Your responses must be no less than 200 words.
**## SLIPSANDHUMANNATURE-WDSilkworth.pdf**
SLIPS AND HUMAN NATURE
By William D."Silky" Silkworth, M.D., published in the A.A. Grapevine, January 1947.
The mystery of slips is not so deep as it may appear. While it does seem odd that
an alcoholic, who has restored himself to a dignified place among his fellowmen
and continues dry for years, should suddenly throw all his happiness overboard
and find himself again in mortal peril of drowning in liquor, often the reason is
simple.
People are inclined to say, "There is something peculiar about alcoholics. They
seem to be well, yet at any moment they may turn back to their old ways. You
can never be sure."
This is largely twaddle. The alcoholic is a sick person. Under the technique of
Alcoholics Anonymous he gets well — that is to say, his disease is arrested. There
is nothing unpredictable about him any more than there is anything weird about a
person who has arrested diabetes.
Let's get it clear, once and for all, that alcoholics are human beings. Then we can
safeguard ourselves intelligently against most slips.
In both professional and lay circles, there is a tendency to label everything that
an alcoholic may do as "alcoholic behavior." The truth is, it is simple human
nature.
It is very wrong to consider any of the personality traits observed in liquor addicts
as peculiar to the alcoholic. Emotional and mental quirks are classified as
symptoms of alcoholism merely because alcoholics have them, yet those same
quirks can be found among non-alcoholics too. Actually they are symptoms of
mankind!
Of course, the alcoholic himself tends to think of himself as different, somebody
special, with unique tendencies and reactions. Many psychiatrists, doctors, and
therapists carry the same idea to extremes in their analyses and treatment of
alcoholics.
Sometimes they make a complicated mystery of a condition that is found in all
human beings, whether they drink whiskey or buttermilk.
To be sure, alcoholism, like every other disease, does manifest itself in some
unique ways. It does have a number of baffling peculiarities that differ from those
of all other diseases.
At the same time, any of the symptoms and much of the behavior of alcoholism
are closely paralleled and even duplicated in other diseases.
The slip is a relapse! It is a relapse that occurs after the alcoholic has stopped
drinking and started on the A.A. program of recovery. Slips usually occur in the
early states of the alcoholic's A.A. indoctrination, before he has had time to learn
enough of the A.A. techniques and A.A. philosophy to give him a solid footing.
But slips may also occur after an alcoholic has been a member of A.A. for many
months or even several years, and it is in this kind, above all, that often finds a
marked similarity between the alcoholic's behavior and that of "normal" victims of
other diseases.
No one is startled by the fact that relapses are not uncommon among arrested
tubercular patients. But here is a startling fact — the cause is often the same as
the cause that leads to slips for the alcoholic.
It happens this way: When a tubercular patient recovers sufficiently to be
released from the sanitarium, the doctor gives him careful instructions for the way
he is to live when he gets home. He must drink plenty of milk. He must refrain
from smoking. He must obey other stringent rules.
For the first several months, perhaps for several years, the patient follows
directions. But as his strength increases and he feels fully recovered, he
becomes slack. There may come the night when he decides he can stay up until
ten o'clock. When he does this, nothing untoward happens. Soon he is
disregarding the directions given him when he left the sanitarium. Eventually he
has a relapse.
The same tragedy can be found in
cardiac cases. After the heart
attack, the patient is put on a strict
rests schedule. Frightened, he
naturally follows directions
obediently for a long time. He, too,
goes to bed early, avoids exercise
such as walking upstairs, quits
smoking, and leads a Spartan life.
Eventually, though there comes a
day, after he has been feeling
good for months or several years, when he feels he has regained his strength,
and has also recovered from his fright. If the elevator is out of repair one day, he
walks up the three flights of stairs. Or he decides to go to a party — or do just a
little smoking — or take a cocktail or two. If no serious after effects follow the first
departure from the rigorous schedule prescribed, he may try it again, until he
suffers a relapse.
In both cardiac and tubercular cases, wrong thinking preceded the acts that led
to the relapses. The patient in each case rationalized himself out of a sense of
his own perilous reality. He deliberately turned away from his knowledge of the
fact that he had been the victim of a serious disease. He grew overconfident. He
decided he didn't have to follow directions.
Now that is precisely what happens with the alcoholic — the arrested alcoholic, or
the alcoholic in A.A. who has a slip. Obviously, he decides to take a drink again
some time before he actually takes it. He starts thinking wrong before he actually
embarks on the course that leads to a slip.
There is no reason to charge the slip to alcoholic behavior or a second heart
attack to cardiac behavior. The alcoholic slip is not a symptom of a psychotic
condition. There's nothing screwy about it at all.
The patient simply didn't follow directions!
For the alcoholic, A.A. offers the directions. A vital factor, or ingredient of the
preventive, especially for the alcoholic, is sustained emotion. The alcoholic who
learns some of the techniques or the mechanics of A.A. but misses the
philosophy or the spirit may get tired of following directions — not because he is
alcoholic, but because he is human.
Rules and regulations irk almost anyone, because they are restraining,
prohibitive, and negative. The philosophy of A.A. however, is positive and
provides ample sustained emotion — a
sustained desire to follow directions
voluntarily.
In any event, the psychology of the alcoholic
is not as different as some people try to make
it. The disease has certain physical
differences, yes, and the alcoholic has
problems peculiar to him, perhaps, in that he
has been put on the defensive and
consequently has developed frustrations. But
in many instances, there is no more reason to
be talking about "the alcoholic mind" than
there is to try to describe something called
the "cardiac mind" or the "TB mind."
I think we'll help the alcoholic more if we can first recognize that he is primarily a
human being — afflicted with human nature.
**## AvocadoVsArtichokeViewsOfSelf.pdf**
1
Avocado Vs Artichoke Views Of Self
SOURCE: https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-
essay/
Historical and Philosophical Approaches to the Self – Assignment Instructions
Who Am I?
The purpose of this discussion assignment is to reflect upon your understanding of different
historical and philosophical approaches to the self. After completing your readings, write a 2–3-
page paper contrasting the avocado/ essentialist idea of the self with the artichoke/protean
view of the self. Remember to explain specific theories with supporting citations from the
textbook and online lectures before contrasting them. As you develop your response, you might
find some of the following questions to be relevant:
What are some of the differences/similarities between the avocado and
artichoke views of the self?
What do you make of the feminist, existential, and non-Western critiques of the
essentialist/avocado self? Are there any other problems with the idea that human beings are
fundamentally rational creatures?
What is the role of desire in the self? Is it really something separate from reason, as
modernism, Christianity, and Islam assert? Can it be controlled? Should it be?
Comparing And Contrasting the Avocado / Essentialist Idea of the Self with the Artichoke /
Protean View of the Self – Sample Answer
Introduction
There are a number of theories developed to explain human nature. However, they can all be
classified into two major groups that include avocado or artichoke. Human based on avocado
view is a stable, enduring self, perceived as existing at a person’s core. However, according to
artichoke view, an individual is perceived as a protean without enduring stable core. The two
views can be used to define different individuals based on their value of life, with most religious
based individuals portraying avocado nature while others demonstrating artichoke nature. This
discussion focuses on reviewing the two existing nature of human being.
Similarities and Differences between Avocado and Artichoke Views of Self
[https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/](https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/)
[https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/](https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/)
2
According to avocado view, there is always an inner unchanging core in human being after
peeling of the outer skin. This inner self is never changed by life experiences. It remains to be
and it is the one that defines the human nature. According to most religious view, this is
perceived as the soul. On the contrary, artichoke view perceives human beings as an onion
which does not have any core. This demonstrates that human are changing in nature and their
reaction are influenced joy different experiences at a certain moment. However, due to the
power given to human, one can get hold of the situation and develop a character that does not
change despite of the life challenges. This is what gives artichoke at least one similarity with
avocado (Mitchell, 2014).
Feminist, Existential, and non-Western critiques of the essentialist/avocado self
Aristotle and Plato defined human nature by identifying men with more rational aspects and
women with irrational aspects such as body and emotion. In addition Christians in the fourth
century church discuss whether women were created with God’s or Man’s image. This
perspective is just defined to undermine a certain group of people based on their inabilities or
cultural degradation. Moreover, the idea of using one character to classify individuals or to
generalize on their behavior is highly criticized. Based on non-western, existential and feminist
critiques human being cannot be classified based on any irrational aspect.
Despite of appearing very similar, every person has his or her own nature that makes that
person unique and different from others. The grouping and generalization has highly resulted
to undermining of a certain group of people in the society since according to essentialist view
they have a certain inability that makes none of them to be able to handle a certain task or to
behave in a certain manner. Therefore, essentialism is highly disregarded by feminist since is it
is used to undermine women and their role in the society. It is also used to group others such as
Africans as poor or individual with poor mental and financial ability. In this regard, existential
utters that human being have freedom and diverse perspectives and meaning of life and
despite of being marginalized in one way or another, they have the ability to make rational
decisions (Phillips, 2010).
Role of Desire in Self
Desire when perceived with regard to our self-realization evolution is directly connected to the
association between our transformation and awakening on the human level and the relation
between our human self and the soul in general. The desire force is essentially positive since
there would be no an inducement to live without the desire. Desire is associated to pursuit or
survival pleasure and it touches all the measures of our existence that include our spiritual
evolution, love, creativity, and learning. Desire has both negative and positive side and as
advised by modernism, Islamic and Christianity, desire is separate from reason. Although
3
people have desires, they tend to follow their reason. Desire may not always be viable and thus,
it should be controlled since it is possible to do so by holding into the unique power possessed
by humans to control their moves and life (Hsieh, 2003).
**## WhyisitEspeciallyImportanttoUnderstandHumanNature.pdf**
Why is it Especially Important
to Understand “Human Nature” in our times?
Human nature refers to a set of inherent characteristics which all humans share.
(Wikepedia: Human Nature). Efforts to identify and understand these characteristics date
back to ancient times. The issue of whether human nature is biologically hard-wired or
whether it is formed by socialization and education is highly debatable. In any case, there
are many good reasons for trying to formulate an objective understanding of human
nature, not the least of which is, in doing so, we partly define who we are as individuals.
But in our times, in the 21st century, it has become even more crucially important than
ever for educated people to understand human nature because “human nature arguments”
are frequently used to avoid responsibility.
An example of how the “human nature argument” is misused is when someone might say
“I can’t do anything about ending war. War is part of human nature.” In saying this
person claims powerlessness and asserts that war is inevitable and unavoidable. Another
example of how the “human nature argument” is misused would be if a husband goes out
on his wife and then claims "I didn't mean to cheat, but it's just human nature for men to
play around."
Furthermore, in a discussion you might hear “You can't blame Wall Street brokers and
bankers for being greedy; greed is just human nature.” “You can't criticize gun
manufacturers for violence; violence is human nature.”
The “human nature argument” which these people evoke is not based on philosophy, or
anthropology, or religion; it is an uninformed rationalization for immoral behavior.
Furthermore, in today’s America, market ideology is a distortion of an accurate
understanding of human nature. This ideology saturates the airways, internet, and
magazines. It conveys messages over and over, day in and day out, persuading us we are
aggressive, competitive, and self-centered. Unless you had a chance to become informed
on human nature, you would be misled to believe human beings are creatures we are not.
To be able to respond to people who use the “human nature” argument,” and to be able to
evaluate advertisements, articles, and TV shows conveying market ideology, we must
have a clear understanding of human nature.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of human nature is “the essential essence of who we
are collectively as human beings.” This means the traits, behaviors, and characteristics
essential to what it is to be a human being as a matter of natural (usually biological)
fact and which cannot be changed without making us other than the sort of being we are.
Someone might also add that it is the hardwired structures that are innate in our biology.
Some people might have a broader definition of human nature and say that everything
humans do is in our nature. Love is in our nature, hate is in our nature. War is in our
nature. Peace is in our nature. Reflection is certainly in our nature. Lions can't reflect on
whether to go vegetarian, and pandas can’t decide to drop bamboo in favor of small
rodents. If reflection is in our nature, then so is choice about our actions. And moralists
assert that awareness, reflection, and choice are where morality lies.
To arrive at a clearer understanding of human nature we will survey historical attempts to
explain it. The ancient Greeks, the world religions, the European Enlightenment thinkers
of the 1600’s and 1700’s, and modern-day scientists all grappled with what is human
nature. I will summarize their various perspectives here.
Greco-Roman Views of Human Nature
Philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome contemplated human nature and Plato’s
Republic provides insights into ways in which they viewed it. People are made of body
and soul, the body is material and the soul is immaterial. The soul consists of appetite,
spirit (courage), and reason. Reason and courage must control the appetites. The highest
form of human existence is when people exercise their reason. People are fundamentally
social and need others for physical and mental needs. Good should be reflected in an
individual’s actions.
Chinese Views of Human Nature (Confucian)
People are so social they must insure a stable and orderly social life. As the basis for this
social life Confucius organized a system to make clear to everyone who should obey
whom. In the family, wife should obey husband, children should obey parents, parents
should honor ancestors and all people should obey the Emperor as he was viewed as the
father of the civilization. People were supposed to be sensitive to other people’s feelings
and accommodate other people’s wishes.
Indian Views of Human Nature (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh)
Human beings are part of a larger spirit called Brahman the supreme unity and eternal
oneness of the universe. Human beings are part of the universal oneness itself. Humans
are supposed to perform the duties of their caste in order to be reincarnated into a higher
state.
African, European, and Middle Eastern Religions’ Views of Human
Nature (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrian, Manichean)
Human beings are God’s creation. God created people in his image and he guides our
lives in the destiny he has in mind for us. The book of “Genesis” in the Hebrew Old
Testament contains a passage where humans were created “God said, “Let me make
humankind in my image and likeness and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, the cattle, over all the wild animals and every creature that crawls on
the earth.” God created humans with a free will, but they must be guided by moral
teachings. When a person does wrong, this wrong is a result of the evil in human nature
which is brought out by the devil.
Enlightenment in Europe in 1600’s and 1700’s
Enlightenment thinkers believed in science and reason and provoked intense curiosity
about human nature. This curiosity arose from the European voyages of discovery, the
encountering of “primitive” peoples, and confronting new truths from the microscope
and telescope. God receded into the background and philosophers wanted to understand
how humans endured in a natural state before civilization. Many Enlightenment
philosophers concluded people possessed free will and reason, but disagreed on other
human characteristics. Rousseau, Locke, and Montesquieu thought people were social,
cooperative, considerate, unselfish and loyal in the state of nature, but Hobbes concluded
people are aggressive, self-centered, greedy, and fickle. These philosophers asked “When
evil exists, is it a result of evil in human nature or is it a result of evil in institutions?”
MODERN SCIENTIFIC VIEWS OF HUMAN NATURE
Biology
In the 1800’s Darwin’s theory focused on humans’ primate heritage and began a new
period of questioning. From this came the modern scientific study of humans in fields as
diverse as biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, psychology, sociology and
anthropology. From these fields have come modern theories of human nature.
Primatology holds we are determined in our deep brain structures, our instincts, and our
physical make-up by our primate heritage. Adherents of this thinking are E.O. Wilson,
Richard Dawkins, and Richard Audrey. Barbara Ehrinreich believes fears and anxieties
were hard-wired into human and pre-human species during millions of years when these
species were vulnerable prey to wild beasts. She asserts that human fears and anxieties of
an “other” (originally wild beasts), were later transferred to fear of other human beings.
Anthropology
Through a 6-million year evolutionary path, about twelve species in the human family
tree evolved biologically and culturally from chimps and bonobos. The 12 species all
extincted and modern humans are the only surviving species of this evolutionary path. All
of the pre-human species were bipedal. Walking upright led to hands becoming free to
use tools. The use of tools required eye-hand coordination and concentration which led to
an increase in brain size. The increasing use of speech to name and describe features of
the environment also led to the growth of the brain. Sociability allowed for collective
learning. The growth of the brain and social interaction in bands stimulated the brain to a
point where species in the genus Homo evolved to being highly conscious and intelligent.
From modern anthropological theories, it can be concluded that due to 6 million years of
evolution, humans emerged hard-wired for tool use, speech use, sociability, and high
levels of consciousness.
Psychology
Among the many different theories and schools of psychology, a few stand out for their
efforts to explore human nature. Freud believed aggression was a major element of
human nature which enables survival, but which is sometimes accompanied by violence.
Carl Jung thought there was a collective unconscious which could imbue an enemy with
hateful traits, traits which actually originated within oneself. Alfred Adler created
theories about interpersonal struggles for social dominance. Harry Stack Sullivan said
humans have fears and anxieties derived from inhibited communication which caused a
tendency to strike out at t hose who are different. Erik Erikson said social ambiguity in a
society can produce confusion in individuals and a tendency to follow misguided leaders.
Irving Janis explored “group think” which derives from human beings’ social nature.
In 1941, John Dollard, Neal Miller, and other social scientists coined the "frustration-
aggression hypothesis," arguing that violence and aggression are reactive, as distinct from
Freud's notion of them as proactive. In this view frustration leads to anger (as do hurt and
fear, which are variations of frustration) and anger sometimes leads to violence.
CONCLUSION
While it is challenging to explore the subject of human nature, it becomes a necessity in
our times due to the misuse of the concept to promote a fatalistic and defeatist outlook
that prevents people from evolving morally. Human beings are much more than merely
“self-centered, aggressive, and competitive”. Recent tendencies to misuse the concept of
human nature prove what American philosopher Henry Miller said “Man has
demonstrated he is master of everything — except his own nature.”
What is your view of human nature?
**EssentialHumanNature.pptx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/essentialhumannature-pptx-10318557)
**PHILOSOPHYOFMINDandHUMANNATURE.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/philosophyofmindandhumannature-pdf-10318553)
**TreatiseofHumanNatureBook1-Hume.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/treatiseofhumannaturebook1-hume-pdf-10318555)
**TheLawsofHumanNature-RobertGreen.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/thelawsofhumannature-robertgreen-pdf-10318559)
**TheLawsofHumanNature-RobertGreen.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/thelawsofhumannature-robertgreen-pdf-10318559)
**## Week5Assignments.docx**
**Week 5 Assignment 2: CPI GROUP DISCUSSION 5: Racial and Ethnic Labels**
To what extent do racial and ethnic labels, as well as gender, shape how we think of ourselves? Is it possible it possible to ignore those characteristics? Can we be completely color and gender blind?
**Your responses must be no less than 200 words.**
**Week 5 Assignment 3: Short Essay 5- File upload**
Write at least a 3-page paper, no more than 4, comparing the difference between the Artichoke and Avocado view of human nature and which one do you mostly agree with and why. Make sure you utilize your handouts and online resources. Use complete sentences and proper grammar.
**Week 6 Assignment 2: DISCUSSION 6: Philosophy and Ultimate Reality**
Why do you think God allows pandemics like Covid-19 into the world and humans? Your responses must be no less than 200 words.
**## SLIPSANDHUMANNATURE-WDSilkworth.pdf**
SLIPS AND HUMAN NATURE
By William D."Silky" Silkworth, M.D., published in the A.A. Grapevine, January 1947.
The mystery of slips is not so deep as it may appear. While it does seem odd that
an alcoholic, who has restored himself to a dignified place among his fellowmen
and continues dry for years, should suddenly throw all his happiness overboard
and find himself again in mortal peril of drowning in liquor, often the reason is
simple.
People are inclined to say, "There is something peculiar about alcoholics. They
seem to be well, yet at any moment they may turn back to their old ways. You
can never be sure."
This is largely twaddle. The alcoholic is a sick person. Under the technique of
Alcoholics Anonymous he gets well — that is to say, his disease is arrested. There
is nothing unpredictable about him any more than there is anything weird about a
person who has arrested diabetes.
Let's get it clear, once and for all, that alcoholics are human beings. Then we can
safeguard ourselves intelligently against most slips.
In both professional and lay circles, there is a tendency to label everything that
an alcoholic may do as "alcoholic behavior." The truth is, it is simple human
nature.
It is very wrong to consider any of the personality traits observed in liquor addicts
as peculiar to the alcoholic. Emotional and mental quirks are classified as
symptoms of alcoholism merely because alcoholics have them, yet those same
quirks can be found among non-alcoholics too. Actually they are symptoms of
mankind!
Of course, the alcoholic himself tends to think of himself as different, somebody
special, with unique tendencies and reactions. Many psychiatrists, doctors, and
therapists carry the same idea to extremes in their analyses and treatment of
alcoholics.
Sometimes they make a complicated mystery of a condition that is found in all
human beings, whether they drink whiskey or buttermilk.
To be sure, alcoholism, like every other disease, does manifest itself in some
unique ways. It does have a number of baffling peculiarities that differ from those
of all other diseases.
At the same time, any of the symptoms and much of the behavior of alcoholism
are closely paralleled and even duplicated in other diseases.
The slip is a relapse! It is a relapse that occurs after the alcoholic has stopped
drinking and started on the A.A. program of recovery. Slips usually occur in the
early states of the alcoholic's A.A. indoctrination, before he has had time to learn
enough of the A.A. techniques and A.A. philosophy to give him a solid footing.
But slips may also occur after an alcoholic has been a member of A.A. for many
months or even several years, and it is in this kind, above all, that often finds a
marked similarity between the alcoholic's behavior and that of "normal" victims of
other diseases.
No one is startled by the fact that relapses are not uncommon among arrested
tubercular patients. But here is a startling fact — the cause is often the same as
the cause that leads to slips for the alcoholic.
It happens this way: When a tubercular patient recovers sufficiently to be
released from the sanitarium, the doctor gives him careful instructions for the way
he is to live when he gets home. He must drink plenty of milk. He must refrain
from smoking. He must obey other stringent rules.
For the first several months, perhaps for several years, the patient follows
directions. But as his strength increases and he feels fully recovered, he
becomes slack. There may come the night when he decides he can stay up until
ten o'clock. When he does this, nothing untoward happens. Soon he is
disregarding the directions given him when he left the sanitarium. Eventually he
has a relapse.
The same tragedy can be found in
cardiac cases. After the heart
attack, the patient is put on a strict
rests schedule. Frightened, he
naturally follows directions
obediently for a long time. He, too,
goes to bed early, avoids exercise
such as walking upstairs, quits
smoking, and leads a Spartan life.
Eventually, though there comes a
day, after he has been feeling
good for months or several years, when he feels he has regained his strength,
and has also recovered from his fright. If the elevator is out of repair one day, he
walks up the three flights of stairs. Or he decides to go to a party — or do just a
little smoking — or take a cocktail or two. If no serious after effects follow the first
departure from the rigorous schedule prescribed, he may try it again, until he
suffers a relapse.
In both cardiac and tubercular cases, wrong thinking preceded the acts that led
to the relapses. The patient in each case rationalized himself out of a sense of
his own perilous reality. He deliberately turned away from his knowledge of the
fact that he had been the victim of a serious disease. He grew overconfident. He
decided he didn't have to follow directions.
Now that is precisely what happens with the alcoholic — the arrested alcoholic, or
the alcoholic in A.A. who has a slip. Obviously, he decides to take a drink again
some time before he actually takes it. He starts thinking wrong before he actually
embarks on the course that leads to a slip.
There is no reason to charge the slip to alcoholic behavior or a second heart
attack to cardiac behavior. The alcoholic slip is not a symptom of a psychotic
condition. There's nothing screwy about it at all.
The patient simply didn't follow directions!
For the alcoholic, A.A. offers the directions. A vital factor, or ingredient of the
preventive, especially for the alcoholic, is sustained emotion. The alcoholic who
learns some of the techniques or the mechanics of A.A. but misses the
philosophy or the spirit may get tired of following directions — not because he is
alcoholic, but because he is human.
Rules and regulations irk almost anyone, because they are restraining,
prohibitive, and negative. The philosophy of A.A. however, is positive and
provides ample sustained emotion — a
sustained desire to follow directions
voluntarily.
In any event, the psychology of the alcoholic
is not as different as some people try to make
it. The disease has certain physical
differences, yes, and the alcoholic has
problems peculiar to him, perhaps, in that he
has been put on the defensive and
consequently has developed frustrations. But
in many instances, there is no more reason to
be talking about "the alcoholic mind" than
there is to try to describe something called
the "cardiac mind" or the "TB mind."
I think we'll help the alcoholic more if we can first recognize that he is primarily a
human being — afflicted with human nature.
**## AvocadoVsArtichokeViewsOfSelf.pdf**
1
Avocado Vs Artichoke Views Of Self
SOURCE: https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-
essay/
Historical and Philosophical Approaches to the Self – Assignment Instructions
Who Am I?
The purpose of this discussion assignment is to reflect upon your understanding of different
historical and philosophical approaches to the self. After completing your readings, write a 2–3-
page paper contrasting the avocado/ essentialist idea of the self with the artichoke/protean
view of the self. Remember to explain specific theories with supporting citations from the
textbook and online lectures before contrasting them. As you develop your response, you might
find some of the following questions to be relevant:
What are some of the differences/similarities between the avocado and
artichoke views of the self?
What do you make of the feminist, existential, and non-Western critiques of the
essentialist/avocado self? Are there any other problems with the idea that human beings are
fundamentally rational creatures?
What is the role of desire in the self? Is it really something separate from reason, as
modernism, Christianity, and Islam assert? Can it be controlled? Should it be?
Comparing And Contrasting the Avocado / Essentialist Idea of the Self with the Artichoke /
Protean View of the Self – Sample Answer
Introduction
There are a number of theories developed to explain human nature. However, they can all be
classified into two major groups that include avocado or artichoke. Human based on avocado
view is a stable, enduring self, perceived as existing at a person’s core. However, according to
artichoke view, an individual is perceived as a protean without enduring stable core. The two
views can be used to define different individuals based on their value of life, with most religious
based individuals portraying avocado nature while others demonstrating artichoke nature. This
discussion focuses on reviewing the two existing nature of human being.
Similarities and Differences between Avocado and Artichoke Views of Self
[https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/](https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/)
[https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/](https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/)
2
According to avocado view, there is always an inner unchanging core in human being after
peeling of the outer skin. This inner self is never changed by life experiences. It remains to be
and it is the one that defines the human nature. According to most religious view, this is
perceived as the soul. On the contrary, artichoke view perceives human beings as an onion
which does not have any core. This demonstrates that human are changing in nature and their
reaction are influenced joy different experiences at a certain moment. However, due to the
power given to human, one can get hold of the situation and develop a character that does not
change despite of the life challenges. This is what gives artichoke at least one similarity with
avocado (Mitchell, 2014).
Feminist, Existential, and non-Western critiques of the essentialist/avocado self
Aristotle and Plato defined human nature by identifying men with more rational aspects and
women with irrational aspects such as body and emotion. In addition Christians in the fourth
century church discuss whether women were created with God’s or Man’s image. This
perspective is just defined to undermine a certain group of people based on their inabilities or
cultural degradation. Moreover, the idea of using one character to classify individuals or to
generalize on their behavior is highly criticized. Based on non-western, existential and feminist
critiques human being cannot be classified based on any irrational aspect.
Despite of appearing very similar, every person has his or her own nature that makes that
person unique and different from others. The grouping and generalization has highly resulted
to undermining of a certain group of people in the society since according to essentialist view
they have a certain inability that makes none of them to be able to handle a certain task or to
behave in a certain manner. Therefore, essentialism is highly disregarded by feminist since is it
is used to undermine women and their role in the society. It is also used to group others such as
Africans as poor or individual with poor mental and financial ability. In this regard, existential
utters that human being have freedom and diverse perspectives and meaning of life and
despite of being marginalized in one way or another, they have the ability to make rational
decisions (Phillips, 2010).
Role of Desire in Self
Desire when perceived with regard to our self-realization evolution is directly connected to the
association between our transformation and awakening on the human level and the relation
between our human self and the soul in general. The desire force is essentially positive since
there would be no an inducement to live without the desire. Desire is associated to pursuit or
survival pleasure and it touches all the measures of our existence that include our spiritual
evolution, love, creativity, and learning. Desire has both negative and positive side and as
advised by modernism, Islamic and Christianity, desire is separate from reason. Although
3
people have desires, they tend to follow their reason. Desire may not always be viable and thus,
it should be controlled since it is possible to do so by holding into the unique power possessed
by humans to control their moves and life (Hsieh, 2003).
**## WhyisitEspeciallyImportanttoUnderstandHumanNature.pdf**
Why is it Especially Important
to Understand “Human Nature” in our times?
Human nature refers to a set of inherent characteristics which all humans share.
(Wikepedia: Human Nature). Efforts to identify and understand these characteristics date
back to ancient times. The issue of whether human nature is biologically hard-wired or
whether it is formed by socialization and education is highly debatable. In any case, there
are many good reasons for trying to formulate an objective understanding of human
nature, not the least of which is, in doing so, we partly define who we are as individuals.
But in our times, in the 21st century, it has become even more crucially important than
ever for educated people to understand human nature because “human nature arguments”
are frequently used to avoid responsibility.
An example of how the “human nature argument” is misused is when someone might say
“I can’t do anything about ending war. War is part of human nature.” In saying this
person claims powerlessness and asserts that war is inevitable and unavoidable. Another
example of how the “human nature argument” is misused would be if a husband goes out
on his wife and then claims "I didn't mean to cheat, but it's just human nature for men to
play around."
Furthermore, in a discussion you might hear “You can't blame Wall Street brokers and
bankers for being greedy; greed is just human nature.” “You can't criticize gun
manufacturers for violence; violence is human nature.”
The “human nature argument” which these people evoke is not based on philosophy, or
anthropology, or religion; it is an uninformed rationalization for immoral behavior.
Furthermore, in today’s America, market ideology is a distortion of an accurate
understanding of human nature. This ideology saturates the airways, internet, and
magazines. It conveys messages over and over, day in and day out, persuading us we are
aggressive, competitive, and self-centered. Unless you had a chance to become informed
on human nature, you would be misled to believe human beings are creatures we are not.
To be able to respond to people who use the “human nature” argument,” and to be able to
evaluate advertisements, articles, and TV shows conveying market ideology, we must
have a clear understanding of human nature.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of human nature is “the essential essence of who we
are collectively as human beings.” This means the traits, behaviors, and characteristics
essential to what it is to be a human being as a matter of natural (usually biological)
fact and which cannot be changed without making us other than the sort of being we are.
Someone might also add that it is the hardwired structures that are innate in our biology.
Some people might have a broader definition of human nature and say that everything
humans do is in our nature. Love is in our nature, hate is in our nature. War is in our
nature. Peace is in our nature. Reflection is certainly in our nature. Lions can't reflect on
whether to go vegetarian, and pandas can’t decide to drop bamboo in favor of small
rodents. If reflection is in our nature, then so is choice about our actions. And moralists
assert that awareness, reflection, and choice are where morality lies.
To arrive at a clearer understanding of human nature we will survey historical attempts to
explain it. The ancient Greeks, the world religions, the European Enlightenment thinkers
of the 1600’s and 1700’s, and modern-day scientists all grappled with what is human
nature. I will summarize their various perspectives here.
Greco-Roman Views of Human Nature
Philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome contemplated human nature and Plato’s
Republic provides insights into ways in which they viewed it. People are made of body
and soul, the body is material and the soul is immaterial. The soul consists of appetite,
spirit (courage), and reason. Reason and courage must control the appetites. The highest
form of human existence is when people exercise their reason. People are fundamentally
social and need others for physical and mental needs. Good should be reflected in an
individual’s actions.
Chinese Views of Human Nature (Confucian)
People are so social they must insure a stable and orderly social life. As the basis for this
social life Confucius organized a system to make clear to everyone who should obey
whom. In the family, wife should obey husband, children should obey parents, parents
should honor ancestors and all people should obey the Emperor as he was viewed as the
father of the civilization. People were supposed to be sensitive to other people’s feelings
and accommodate other people’s wishes.
Indian Views of Human Nature (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh)
Human beings are part of a larger spirit called Brahman the supreme unity and eternal
oneness of the universe. Human beings are part of the universal oneness itself. Humans
are supposed to perform the duties of their caste in order to be reincarnated into a higher
state.
African, European, and Middle Eastern Religions’ Views of Human
Nature (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrian, Manichean)
Human beings are God’s creation. God created people in his image and he guides our
lives in the destiny he has in mind for us. The book of “Genesis” in the Hebrew Old
Testament contains a passage where humans were created “God said, “Let me make
humankind in my image and likeness and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, the cattle, over all the wild animals and every creature that crawls on
the earth.” God created humans with a free will, but they must be guided by moral
teachings. When a person does wrong, this wrong is a result of the evil in human nature
which is brought out by the devil.
Enlightenment in Europe in 1600’s and 1700’s
Enlightenment thinkers believed in science and reason and provoked intense curiosity
about human nature. This curiosity arose from the European voyages of discovery, the
encountering of “primitive” peoples, and confronting new truths from the microscope
and telescope. God receded into the background and philosophers wanted to understand
how humans endured in a natural state before civilization. Many Enlightenment
philosophers concluded people possessed free will and reason, but disagreed on other
human characteristics. Rousseau, Locke, and Montesquieu thought people were social,
cooperative, considerate, unselfish and loyal in the state of nature, but Hobbes concluded
people are aggressive, self-centered, greedy, and fickle. These philosophers asked “When
evil exists, is it a result of evil in human nature or is it a result of evil in institutions?”
MODERN SCIENTIFIC VIEWS OF HUMAN NATURE
Biology
In the 1800’s Darwin’s theory focused on humans’ primate heritage and began a new
period of questioning. From this came the modern scientific study of humans in fields as
diverse as biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, psychology, sociology and
anthropology. From these fields have come modern theories of human nature.
Primatology holds we are determined in our deep brain structures, our instincts, and our
physical make-up by our primate heritage. Adherents of this thinking are E.O. Wilson,
Richard Dawkins, and Richard Audrey. Barbara Ehrinreich believes fears and anxieties
were hard-wired into human and pre-human species during millions of years when these
species were vulnerable prey to wild beasts. She asserts that human fears and anxieties of
an “other” (originally wild beasts), were later transferred to fear of other human beings.
Anthropology
Through a 6-million year evolutionary path, about twelve species in the human family
tree evolved biologically and culturally from chimps and bonobos. The 12 species all
extincted and modern humans are the only surviving species of this evolutionary path. All
of the pre-human species were bipedal. Walking upright led to hands becoming free to
use tools. The use of tools required eye-hand coordination and concentration which led to
an increase in brain size. The increasing use of speech to name and describe features of
the environment also led to the growth of the brain. Sociability allowed for collective
learning. The growth of the brain and social interaction in bands stimulated the brain to a
point where species in the genus Homo evolved to being highly conscious and intelligent.
From modern anthropological theories, it can be concluded that due to 6 million years of
evolution, humans emerged hard-wired for tool use, speech use, sociability, and high
levels of consciousness.
Psychology
Among the many different theories and schools of psychology, a few stand out for their
efforts to explore human nature. Freud believed aggression was a major element of
human nature which enables survival, but which is sometimes accompanied by violence.
Carl Jung thought there was a collective unconscious which could imbue an enemy with
hateful traits, traits which actually originated within oneself. Alfred Adler created
theories about interpersonal struggles for social dominance. Harry Stack Sullivan said
humans have fears and anxieties derived from inhibited communication which caused a
tendency to strike out at t hose who are different. Erik Erikson said social ambiguity in a
society can produce confusion in individuals and a tendency to follow misguided leaders.
Irving Janis explored “group think” which derives from human beings’ social nature.
In 1941, John Dollard, Neal Miller, and other social scientists coined the "frustration-
aggression hypothesis," arguing that violence and aggression are reactive, as distinct from
Freud's notion of them as proactive. In this view frustration leads to anger (as do hurt and
fear, which are variations of frustration) and anger sometimes leads to violence.
CONCLUSION
While it is challenging to explore the subject of human nature, it becomes a necessity in
our times due to the misuse of the concept to promote a fatalistic and defeatist outlook
that prevents people from evolving morally. Human beings are much more than merely
“self-centered, aggressive, and competitive”. Recent tendencies to misuse the concept of
human nature prove what American philosopher Henry Miller said “Man has
demonstrated he is master of everything — except his own nature.”
What is your view of human nature?
**EssentialHumanNature.pptx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/essentialhumannature-pptx-10318557)
**PHILOSOPHYOFMINDandHUMANNATURE.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/philosophyofmindandhumannature-pdf-10318553)
**TreatiseofHumanNatureBook1-Hume.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/treatiseofhumannaturebook1-hume-pdf-10318555)
**TheLawsofHumanNature-RobertGreen.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/thelawsofhumannature-robertgreen-pdf-10318559)
**## Week5Assignments.docx**
**Week 5 Assignment 2: CPI GROUP DISCUSSION 5: Racial and Ethnic Labels**
To what extent do racial and ethnic labels, as well as gender, shape how we think of ourselves? Is it possible it possible to ignore those characteristics? Can we be completely color and gender blind?
**Your responses must be no less than 200 words.**
**Week 5 Assignment 3: Short Essay 5- File upload**
Write at least a 3-page paper, no more than 4, comparing the difference between the Artichoke and Avocado view of human nature and which one do you mostly agree with and why. Make sure you utilize your handouts and online resources. Use complete sentences and proper grammar.
**Week 6 Assignment 2: DISCUSSION 6: Philosophy and Ultimate Reality**
Why do you think God allows pandemics like Covid-19 into the world and humans? Your responses must be no less than 200 words.
**## SLIPSANDHUMANNATURE-WDSilkworth.pdf**
SLIPS AND HUMAN NATURE
By William D."Silky" Silkworth, M.D., published in the A.A. Grapevine, January 1947.
The mystery of slips is not so deep as it may appear. While it does seem odd that
an alcoholic, who has restored himself to a dignified place among his fellowmen
and continues dry for years, should suddenly throw all his happiness overboard
and find himself again in mortal peril of drowning in liquor, often the reason is
simple.
People are inclined to say, "There is something peculiar about alcoholics. They
seem to be well, yet at any moment they may turn back to their old ways. You
can never be sure."
This is largely twaddle. The alcoholic is a sick person. Under the technique of
Alcoholics Anonymous he gets well — that is to say, his disease is arrested. There
is nothing unpredictable about him any more than there is anything weird about a
person who has arrested diabetes.
Let's get it clear, once and for all, that alcoholics are human beings. Then we can
safeguard ourselves intelligently against most slips.
In both professional and lay circles, there is a tendency to label everything that
an alcoholic may do as "alcoholic behavior." The truth is, it is simple human
nature.
It is very wrong to consider any of the personality traits observed in liquor addicts
as peculiar to the alcoholic. Emotional and mental quirks are classified as
symptoms of alcoholism merely because alcoholics have them, yet those same
quirks can be found among non-alcoholics too. Actually they are symptoms of
mankind!
Of course, the alcoholic himself tends to think of himself as different, somebody
special, with unique tendencies and reactions. Many psychiatrists, doctors, and
therapists carry the same idea to extremes in their analyses and treatment of
alcoholics.
Sometimes they make a complicated mystery of a condition that is found in all
human beings, whether they drink whiskey or buttermilk.
To be sure, alcoholism, like every other disease, does manifest itself in some
unique ways. It does have a number of baffling peculiarities that differ from those
of all other diseases.
At the same time, any of the symptoms and much of the behavior of alcoholism
are closely paralleled and even duplicated in other diseases.
The slip is a relapse! It is a relapse that occurs after the alcoholic has stopped
drinking and started on the A.A. program of recovery. Slips usually occur in the
early states of the alcoholic's A.A. indoctrination, before he has had time to learn
enough of the A.A. techniques and A.A. philosophy to give him a solid footing.
But slips may also occur after an alcoholic has been a member of A.A. for many
months or even several years, and it is in this kind, above all, that often finds a
marked similarity between the alcoholic's behavior and that of "normal" victims of
other diseases.
No one is startled by the fact that relapses are not uncommon among arrested
tubercular patients. But here is a startling fact — the cause is often the same as
the cause that leads to slips for the alcoholic.
It happens this way: When a tubercular patient recovers sufficiently to be
released from the sanitarium, the doctor gives him careful instructions for the way
he is to live when he gets home. He must drink plenty of milk. He must refrain
from smoking. He must obey other stringent rules.
For the first several months, perhaps for several years, the patient follows
directions. But as his strength increases and he feels fully recovered, he
becomes slack. There may come the night when he decides he can stay up until
ten o'clock. When he does this, nothing untoward happens. Soon he is
disregarding the directions given him when he left the sanitarium. Eventually he
has a relapse.
The same tragedy can be found in
cardiac cases. After the heart
attack, the patient is put on a strict
rests schedule. Frightened, he
naturally follows directions
obediently for a long time. He, too,
goes to bed early, avoids exercise
such as walking upstairs, quits
smoking, and leads a Spartan life.
Eventually, though there comes a
day, after he has been feeling
good for months or several years, when he feels he has regained his strength,
and has also recovered from his fright. If the elevator is out of repair one day, he
walks up the three flights of stairs. Or he decides to go to a party — or do just a
little smoking — or take a cocktail or two. If no serious after effects follow the first
departure from the rigorous schedule prescribed, he may try it again, until he
suffers a relapse.
In both cardiac and tubercular cases, wrong thinking preceded the acts that led
to the relapses. The patient in each case rationalized himself out of a sense of
his own perilous reality. He deliberately turned away from his knowledge of the
fact that he had been the victim of a serious disease. He grew overconfident. He
decided he didn't have to follow directions.
Now that is precisely what happens with the alcoholic — the arrested alcoholic, or
the alcoholic in A.A. who has a slip. Obviously, he decides to take a drink again
some time before he actually takes it. He starts thinking wrong before he actually
embarks on the course that leads to a slip.
There is no reason to charge the slip to alcoholic behavior or a second heart
attack to cardiac behavior. The alcoholic slip is not a symptom of a psychotic
condition. There's nothing screwy about it at all.
The patient simply didn't follow directions!
For the alcoholic, A.A. offers the directions. A vital factor, or ingredient of the
preventive, especially for the alcoholic, is sustained emotion. The alcoholic who
learns some of the techniques or the mechanics of A.A. but misses the
philosophy or the spirit may get tired of following directions — not because he is
alcoholic, but because he is human.
Rules and regulations irk almost anyone, because they are restraining,
prohibitive, and negative. The philosophy of A.A. however, is positive and
provides ample sustained emotion — a
sustained desire to follow directions
voluntarily.
In any event, the psychology of the alcoholic
is not as different as some people try to make
it. The disease has certain physical
differences, yes, and the alcoholic has
problems peculiar to him, perhaps, in that he
has been put on the defensive and
consequently has developed frustrations. But
in many instances, there is no more reason to
be talking about "the alcoholic mind" than
there is to try to describe something called
the "cardiac mind" or the "TB mind."
I think we'll help the alcoholic more if we can first recognize that he is primarily a
human being — afflicted with human nature.
**## AvocadoVsArtichokeViewsOfSelf.pdf**
1
Avocado Vs Artichoke Views Of Self
SOURCE: https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-
essay/
Historical and Philosophical Approaches to the Self – Assignment Instructions
Who Am I?
The purpose of this discussion assignment is to reflect upon your understanding of different
historical and philosophical approaches to the self. After completing your readings, write a 2–3-
page paper contrasting the avocado/ essentialist idea of the self with the artichoke/protean
view of the self. Remember to explain specific theories with supporting citations from the
textbook and online lectures before contrasting them. As you develop your response, you might
find some of the following questions to be relevant:
What are some of the differences/similarities between the avocado and
artichoke views of the self?
What do you make of the feminist, existential, and non-Western critiques of the
essentialist/avocado self? Are there any other problems with the idea that human beings are
fundamentally rational creatures?
What is the role of desire in the self? Is it really something separate from reason, as
modernism, Christianity, and Islam assert? Can it be controlled? Should it be?
Comparing And Contrasting the Avocado / Essentialist Idea of the Self with the Artichoke /
Protean View of the Self – Sample Answer
Introduction
There are a number of theories developed to explain human nature. However, they can all be
classified into two major groups that include avocado or artichoke. Human based on avocado
view is a stable, enduring self, perceived as existing at a person’s core. However, according to
artichoke view, an individual is perceived as a protean without enduring stable core. The two
views can be used to define different individuals based on their value of life, with most religious
based individuals portraying avocado nature while others demonstrating artichoke nature. This
discussion focuses on reviewing the two existing nature of human being.
Similarities and Differences between Avocado and Artichoke Views of Self
[https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/](https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/)
[https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/](https://uniquewritersbay.com/blog/avocado-artichoke-views-self-compare-contrast-essay/)
2
According to avocado view, there is always an inner unchanging core in human being after
peeling of the outer skin. This inner self is never changed by life experiences. It remains to be
and it is the one that defines the human nature. According to most religious view, this is
perceived as the soul. On the contrary, artichoke view perceives human beings as an onion
which does not have any core. This demonstrates that human are changing in nature and their
reaction are influenced joy different experiences at a certain moment. However, due to the
power given to human, one can get hold of the situation and develop a character that does not
change despite of the life challenges. This is what gives artichoke at least one similarity with
avocado (Mitchell, 2014).
Feminist, Existential, and non-Western critiques of the essentialist/avocado self
Aristotle and Plato defined human nature by identifying men with more rational aspects and
women with irrational aspects such as body and emotion. In addition Christians in the fourth
century church discuss whether women were created with God’s or Man’s image. This
perspective is just defined to undermine a certain group of people based on their inabilities or
cultural degradation. Moreover, the idea of using one character to classify individuals or to
generalize on their behavior is highly criticized. Based on non-western, existential and feminist
critiques human being cannot be classified based on any irrational aspect.
Despite of appearing very similar, every person has his or her own nature that makes that
person unique and different from others. The grouping and generalization has highly resulted
to undermining of a certain group of people in the society since according to essentialist view
they have a certain inability that makes none of them to be able to handle a certain task or to
behave in a certain manner. Therefore, essentialism is highly disregarded by feminist since is it
is used to undermine women and their role in the society. It is also used to group others such as
Africans as poor or individual with poor mental and financial ability. In this regard, existential
utters that human being have freedom and diverse perspectives and meaning of life and
despite of being marginalized in one way or another, they have the ability to make rational
decisions (Phillips, 2010).
Role of Desire in Self
Desire when perceived with regard to our self-realization evolution is directly connected to the
association between our transformation and awakening on the human level and the relation
between our human self and the soul in general. The desire force is essentially positive since
there would be no an inducement to live without the desire. Desire is associated to pursuit or
survival pleasure and it touches all the measures of our existence that include our spiritual
evolution, love, creativity, and learning. Desire has both negative and positive side and as
advised by modernism, Islamic and Christianity, desire is separate from reason. Although
3
people have desires, they tend to follow their reason. Desire may not always be viable and thus,
it should be controlled since it is possible to do so by holding into the unique power possessed
by humans to control their moves and life (Hsieh, 2003).
**## WhyisitEspeciallyImportanttoUnderstandHumanNature.pdf**
Why is it Especially Important
to Understand “Human Nature” in our times?
Human nature refers to a set of inherent characteristics which all humans share.
(Wikepedia: Human Nature). Efforts to identify and understand these characteristics date
back to ancient times. The issue of whether human nature is biologically hard-wired or
whether it is formed by socialization and education is highly debatable. In any case, there
are many good reasons for trying to formulate an objective understanding of human
nature, not the least of which is, in doing so, we partly define who we are as individuals.
But in our times, in the 21st century, it has become even more crucially important than
ever for educated people to understand human nature because “human nature arguments”
are frequently used to avoid responsibility.
An example of how the “human nature argument” is misused is when someone might say
“I can’t do anything about ending war. War is part of human nature.” In saying this
person claims powerlessness and asserts that war is inevitable and unavoidable. Another
example of how the “human nature argument” is misused would be if a husband goes out
on his wife and then claims "I didn't mean to cheat, but it's just human nature for men to
play around."
Furthermore, in a discussion you might hear “You can't blame Wall Street brokers and
bankers for being greedy; greed is just human nature.” “You can't criticize gun
manufacturers for violence; violence is human nature.”
The “human nature argument” which these people evoke is not based on philosophy, or
anthropology, or religion; it is an uninformed rationalization for immoral behavior.
Furthermore, in today’s America, market ideology is a distortion of an accurate
understanding of human nature. This ideology saturates the airways, internet, and
magazines. It conveys messages over and over, day in and day out, persuading us we are
aggressive, competitive, and self-centered. Unless you had a chance to become informed
on human nature, you would be misled to believe human beings are creatures we are not.
To be able to respond to people who use the “human nature” argument,” and to be able to
evaluate advertisements, articles, and TV shows conveying market ideology, we must
have a clear understanding of human nature.
The Webster’s Dictionary definition of human nature is “the essential essence of who we
are collectively as human beings.” This means the traits, behaviors, and characteristics
essential to what it is to be a human being as a matter of natural (usually biological)
fact and which cannot be changed without making us other than the sort of being we are.
Someone might also add that it is the hardwired structures that are innate in our biology.
Some people might have a broader definition of human nature and say that everything
humans do is in our nature. Love is in our nature, hate is in our nature. War is in our
nature. Peace is in our nature. Reflection is certainly in our nature. Lions can't reflect on
whether to go vegetarian, and pandas can’t decide to drop bamboo in favor of small
rodents. If reflection is in our nature, then so is choice about our actions. And moralists
assert that awareness, reflection, and choice are where morality lies.
To arrive at a clearer understanding of human nature we will survey historical attempts to
explain it. The ancient Greeks, the world religions, the European Enlightenment thinkers
of the 1600’s and 1700’s, and modern-day scientists all grappled with what is human
nature. I will summarize their various perspectives here.
Greco-Roman Views of Human Nature
Philosophers of ancient Greece and Rome contemplated human nature and Plato’s
Republic provides insights into ways in which they viewed it. People are made of body
and soul, the body is material and the soul is immaterial. The soul consists of appetite,
spirit (courage), and reason. Reason and courage must control the appetites. The highest
form of human existence is when people exercise their reason. People are fundamentally
social and need others for physical and mental needs. Good should be reflected in an
individual’s actions.
Chinese Views of Human Nature (Confucian)
People are so social they must insure a stable and orderly social life. As the basis for this
social life Confucius organized a system to make clear to everyone who should obey
whom. In the family, wife should obey husband, children should obey parents, parents
should honor ancestors and all people should obey the Emperor as he was viewed as the
father of the civilization. People were supposed to be sensitive to other people’s feelings
and accommodate other people’s wishes.
Indian Views of Human Nature (Hindu, Buddhist, Jain and Sikh)
Human beings are part of a larger spirit called Brahman the supreme unity and eternal
oneness of the universe. Human beings are part of the universal oneness itself. Humans
are supposed to perform the duties of their caste in order to be reincarnated into a higher
state.
African, European, and Middle Eastern Religions’ Views of Human
Nature (Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Zoroastrian, Manichean)
Human beings are God’s creation. God created people in his image and he guides our
lives in the destiny he has in mind for us. The book of “Genesis” in the Hebrew Old
Testament contains a passage where humans were created “God said, “Let me make
humankind in my image and likeness and let him have dominion over the fish of the sea,
the birds of the air, the cattle, over all the wild animals and every creature that crawls on
the earth.” God created humans with a free will, but they must be guided by moral
teachings. When a person does wrong, this wrong is a result of the evil in human nature
which is brought out by the devil.
Enlightenment in Europe in 1600’s and 1700’s
Enlightenment thinkers believed in science and reason and provoked intense curiosity
about human nature. This curiosity arose from the European voyages of discovery, the
encountering of “primitive” peoples, and confronting new truths from the microscope
and telescope. God receded into the background and philosophers wanted to understand
how humans endured in a natural state before civilization. Many Enlightenment
philosophers concluded people possessed free will and reason, but disagreed on other
human characteristics. Rousseau, Locke, and Montesquieu thought people were social,
cooperative, considerate, unselfish and loyal in the state of nature, but Hobbes concluded
people are aggressive, self-centered, greedy, and fickle. These philosophers asked “When
evil exists, is it a result of evil in human nature or is it a result of evil in institutions?”
MODERN SCIENTIFIC VIEWS OF HUMAN NATURE
Biology
In the 1800’s Darwin’s theory focused on humans’ primate heritage and began a new
period of questioning. From this came the modern scientific study of humans in fields as
diverse as biology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, psychology, sociology and
anthropology. From these fields have come modern theories of human nature.
Primatology holds we are determined in our deep brain structures, our instincts, and our
physical make-up by our primate heritage. Adherents of this thinking are E.O. Wilson,
Richard Dawkins, and Richard Audrey. Barbara Ehrinreich believes fears and anxieties
were hard-wired into human and pre-human species during millions of years when these
species were vulnerable prey to wild beasts. She asserts that human fears and anxieties of
an “other” (originally wild beasts), were later transferred to fear of other human beings.
Anthropology
Through a 6-million year evolutionary path, about twelve species in the human family
tree evolved biologically and culturally from chimps and bonobos. The 12 species all
extincted and modern humans are the only surviving species of this evolutionary path. All
of the pre-human species were bipedal. Walking upright led to hands becoming free to
use tools. The use of tools required eye-hand coordination and concentration which led to
an increase in brain size. The increasing use of speech to name and describe features of
the environment also led to the growth of the brain. Sociability allowed for collective
learning. The growth of the brain and social interaction in bands stimulated the brain to a
point where species in the genus Homo evolved to being highly conscious and intelligent.
From modern anthropological theories, it can be concluded that due to 6 million years of
evolution, humans emerged hard-wired for tool use, speech use, sociability, and high
levels of consciousness.
Psychology
Among the many different theories and schools of psychology, a few stand out for their
efforts to explore human nature. Freud believed aggression was a major element of
human nature which enables survival, but which is sometimes accompanied by violence.
Carl Jung thought there was a collective unconscious which could imbue an enemy with
hateful traits, traits which actually originated within oneself. Alfred Adler created
theories about interpersonal struggles for social dominance. Harry Stack Sullivan said
humans have fears and anxieties derived from inhibited communication which caused a
tendency to strike out at t hose who are different. Erik Erikson said social ambiguity in a
society can produce confusion in individuals and a tendency to follow misguided leaders.
Irving Janis explored “group think” which derives from human beings’ social nature.
In 1941, John Dollard, Neal Miller, and other social scientists coined the "frustration-
aggression hypothesis," arguing that violence and aggression are reactive, as distinct from
Freud's notion of them as proactive. In this view frustration leads to anger (as do hurt and
fear, which are variations of frustration) and anger sometimes leads to violence.
CONCLUSION
While it is challenging to explore the subject of human nature, it becomes a necessity in
our times due to the misuse of the concept to promote a fatalistic and defeatist outlook
that prevents people from evolving morally. Human beings are much more than merely
“self-centered, aggressive, and competitive”. Recent tendencies to misuse the concept of
human nature prove what American philosopher Henry Miller said “Man has
demonstrated he is master of everything — except his own nature.”
What is your view of human nature?
**EssentialHumanNature.pptx**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/essentialhumannature-pptx-10318557)
**PHILOSOPHYOFMINDandHUMANNATURE.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/philosophyofmindandhumannature-pdf-10318553)
**TreatiseofHumanNatureBook1-Hume.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/treatiseofhumannaturebook1-hume-pdf-10318555)
**TheLawsofHumanNature-RobertGreen.pdf**
This file is too large to display. [View in new window](https://www.sweetstudy.com/files/thelawsofhumannature-robertgreen-pdf-10318559)
– 1
– 2
– 3
– 4
– 5
– 6
– 7
– 8