Human Nature

Question 1

Introduction - Themes

Answer 1

• Rationality
• Individualism
• Social Justice

Question 2

Introduction - Argument

Answer 2

Whilst all liberals agree that humans are naturally individual and rational beings deserving of equality, they differ to a certain extent over how the state and society should respond to these human qualities

Question 3

Rationality - Agree - Point

Answer 3

Liberalism, influenced by Enlightenment thinking, has always taken a more optimistic view of human nature. At the heart of this optimistic view is the belief that individuals are guided principally by rationalism

Question 4

Rationality - Disagree - Point

Answer 4

• Classical liberals have adopted the view that the innate rationality of humans means they are self-aware individuals and do not need state help
• Modern liberals feel that these qualities could be developed by a liberal authority

Question 5

Rationality - Disagree - Example
(Classical)

Answer 5

John Locke argued that humans were rational and as a result need little guidance from the state. In his book, Two Treaties of Government, Locke argued that the state would embody the principle of limited government as the rationality of humankind meant a strong state was not necessary

Question 6

Rationality - Disagree - Example
(Modern)

Answer 6

John Rawls took a different view whereby individuals’ rationality would be improved by a liberal authority. Thus, he began to promote an enlarged state to better the qualities of human nature

Question 7

Individualism - Agree - Point

Answer 7

All liberals agree that humans are naturally individualistic. On their own individuals have huge capacity to bring about progress, and unending ability to forge greater human happiness

Question 8

Individualism - Disagree - Point

Answer 8

• Classical liberals adopted egotistical individualism which denotes the belief that human beings are naturally drawn to the advancement of their own self interest and persuit of happiness
• Modern liberals see developmental individualism which focuses on what individuals could become rather than what they had become

Question 9

Individualism - Disagree - Example
(Classical)

Answer 9

An example of egotisical individualism is Herbert Spencer’s principle of ‘Social Darwinism’ where those who did not enjoy the benefits of individualim would gradually be eliminated

Question 10

Individualism - Disagree - Example
(Transitional)

Answer 10

In his book ‘On Liberty,’ John Stuart Mill asserted that huaman nature was never the finished article

Question 11

Social Justice - Agree - Point

Answer 11

All branches are strong believers in the principles of mertiocracy - this is the belief that with enough hard work human’s have the ability to shape their destiny. Both agree that equality between all of humankind is yet to be achieved but it is possible

Question 12

Social Justice - Agree - Example

Answer 12

Both Mary Wollstonecraft and Betty Fridan agreed that women are unfairly discriminated against and set out to challenge this ‘irrational assumption’

Question 13

Social Jusitice - Disagree - Point

Answer 13

There are problems for certain groups of society being able to achieve their full potential, modern and classical liberals differ in how much aid should be provided in order to help those less fortunate achieve their destiny

Question 14

Social Justice - Disagree - Example
(Classical)

Answer 14

John Stuart Mill devised the ‘Harm principle’ in which human actions were divided into ‘self-regarding’ and ‘other regarding.’ As in inequality experienced by some did not affect the freedom of other it is no the concern of the liberal state

Question 15

Social Jusitice - Disagree - Example
(Modern)

Answer 15

John Rawls theorised the ‘veil of ignorance’ whereby if individuals were to have no preconceptions about the sort of people they might be in a new society, they would choose a society where the poorest members fared significantly better. Therefore, Rawls promoted the ideals of equality of opportunity