Human Nature

Question 1

General view HN

Answer 1

• think people are good

Question 2

Optimistic HN

Answer 2

• believe the future will be better than the past.
• humanity is destined to continually progress and achieve greater happiness overcoming obstacles.
• people will live in peace and harmony with both self-awareness and mutual understanding.
• ideas that mankind is deeply flawed and condemned due to its imperfection are dismissed.

Question 3

Rational HN

Answer 3

• people make decisions based on reason and naturally debate, discuss and question whatever they face.
• problems are challenges awaiting a solution.

Question 4

Make your own way - individualism HN

Answer 4

• Life is not predetermined and people make their own destiny.
• liberals do not accept life is as it is because of the ‘will of god’ or ‘fate’.
• we have the ability to plan and change our own futures.

Question 5

Self interest HN

Answer 5

• everyone will start off thinking of their own interests.
• egotistical individualism: human being are naturally drawn to advancement of their own interests and happiness above that of anyone else. Rationality should prevent this from leading to conflict or dismissing of others feelings.
• Reasoned discussion should lead to consensus.

Question 6

Individualism HN

Answer 6

• what some thinkers suggested was that individualism would lead to rational based consensus others saw potential for conflict.
• Herbert Spencer argued for ‘survival of the fittest’ in his ‘social Darwinism’ theory. The weak wouldn’t benefit from individualism.