Human Nature

Question 1

What is meant by human nature?

Answer 1

-general psychological characteristics, feelings, and behavioural traits of humankind, regarded as shared by all humans.

Question 2

Whilst there is some disagreement over…

Answer 2

The level of human imperfection and the constraints needed to contain this,

Question 3

Main argument of the human nature essay?

It is a stronger argument to suggest…

Answer 3

Conservatives agree to a large extent over the concept of human nature.

Question 4

Two main counterpoints of the human nature essay?

Answer 4

1. Burke + Oakshott+ neo libs have a fundamentally less bleak view of human nature.
2. New right neo libs- Humans capable of rational thought + individualism supersedes the state. No need for organic society- egotisitcal individualism more important (self interest and reliance).** Little state involvement.**

Question 5

Two main points of the human nature essay?

Answer 5

1. ONC, Traditional and Neo Conservative- all humans are fundamentally flawed
2. Traditional, ONC and Neo- conservative- all believe the state protects against inherent selfishness.

Question 6

What are the three different types of flawed?

Answer 6

-Intellectually- led by base desires and impulses, led by original sin- repped by neo- cons.
-Psychologically- reality beyond understanding.
-Morally- security driven and socially dependent. Humans rely on tradition for identity.

Question 7

Which conservatives agree that all humans are fundamentally flawed?

Answer 7

**Humans are limited and dependent, craving security and order, liberty + uncertainty ** Intellectually, psychologically , morally flawed
Traditional- Hobbes- life in the state of nature is ‘nasty, brutish and short’- Burke- we are not guided by reason.
Neo Conservative - Pyschologically and morally flawed- prone to immorality.

Arguable Rand believes in the self- seeking element.

Hobbes is very pessamistic

Question 8

Which conservatives agree that the state protects against inherent selfishness and moral flaws?

Answer 8

Hobbes, Oakeshott and Burke- once the state provides the necessary order, society will emerge on traditions and customs- a level of peace not available in the state of nature.
Hobbes and Rand- we are only rational enough to realise that we need a state

We do not like change + band together- in the form of a state,

Question 9

Which liberals disagree with the extent of human imperfection?

Answer 9

Neo liberals- Rand+ Nozick- humans are capable of rational thought and do things for self- interest not because they are flawed.
Oakshott- noisy foolish and flawed’- irrational- just need authority- don’t like change.
Burke- less bleak than Hobbes -people make mistakes unintentionally, we are not individualistic and ruthless- ‘

Question 10

Which liberals argue the state is not needed and humans are capable of rational thought- egotisticial individualism extremely important?

Answer 10

-Neo Liberals- Individualism more important than state- do not want state constraints on the human nature to be individualistic. Rand- egotistical individualism+ negative freedom +atomistic.
-Hobbes- agrees in the need for individualism- because it drives the economy- BUT still need a state+ agreed with Nozick.

Question 11

CCP: of the disagreement of being incapable of irrational thought.

Answer 11

Robert Nozick- knows that individualism could get out of hand- hence the need for a state.