English 9 Research Project
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Philosopher Opinions on Human Nature
See the bottom of the page for the assignment and rubric.
Thomas Hobbes
"during the time man lived without a common power to keep them in awe, they are in that condition which is called war, and such a war, as every man, against every man…and the life of a man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
Explanation:
-the state of nature is populated by violent, self-interested brutes
-people are driven by survival and personal gain
Jean-Jacques Rousseau:
"Everything is good as it comes from the hands of the Maker of the world, but degenerates once it gets into the hands of man"
Explanation:
-man is essentially good and equal to the state of nature, but has been corrupted by institutions
Mencius--Chinese Philosophy:
“If you let people follow their feelings (original feelings), they will be able to do good. This is what is meant by the saying that human nature is good. If a man does evil, it's not the fault of his natural endowment”
Explanation:
-man’s original nature is good; man’s original nature becomes evil when his wishes are not fulfilled.
-the evil in man is a result of external influences
John Locke:
“…man is free and in this condition all men are equal…reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that, being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty or profession.”
Explanation:
-believed that the mind at birth was like blank paper, and all of our ideas are derived from our experiences
-people are not selfish by nature, they are essentially moral beings who obey moral rules
Thomas Hobbes
"during the time man lived without a common power to keep them in awe, they are in that condition which is called war, and such a war, as every man, against every man…and the life of a man, solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short."
Explanation:
-the state of nature is populated by violent, self-interested brutes
-people are driven by survival and personal gain
Jean-Jacques Rousseau:
"Everything is good as it comes from the hands of the Maker of the world, but degenerates once it gets into the hands of man"
Explanation:
-man is essentially good and equal to the state of nature, but has been corrupted by institutions
Mencius--Chinese Philosophy:
“If you let people follow their feelings (original feelings), they will be able to do good. This is what is meant by the saying that human nature is good. If a man does evil, it's not the fault of his natural endowment”
Explanation:
-man’s original nature is good; man’s original nature becomes evil when his wishes are not fulfilled.
-the evil in man is a result of external influences
John Locke:
“…man is free and in this condition all men are equal…reason, which is that law, teaches all mankind who will but consult it, that, being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty or profession.”
Explanation:
-believed that the mind at birth was like blank paper, and all of our ideas are derived from our experiences
-people are not selfish by nature, they are essentially moral beings who obey moral rules
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