Human nature Flashcards
To what extent do Conservatives have a shared understanding of human nature? (overall structure)
- mistrust of human nature vs abstract theories
- state should control vs to what extent involved
what do all conservatives think about human nature?
pessimistic about human nature and regard people as imperfect, insecure and limited
what kind of creatures are humans ?
humans are dependent, security seeking creatures who seek identity and rootedness
why do conservatives value tradition?
due to their belief that humans seek identity and stability
what does tradition provide?
a sense of identity, security and stability for psychologically imperfect humans
can human nature be changed?
- human nature is immutable
- cannot be altered by changing economic, social or political conditions
what imperfect of human nature do they disagree about?
whether humans are intellectually perfect
what do traditional conservatives believe about humans intellectually?
humans are intellectually imperfect
why do traditional conservatives believe humans are intellectually imperfect
world is too complex to be explained or understood rationally
what do traditional conservatives think about tradition and human nature?
humans should look to tradition and history as guides to action, rather than human reason and abstract theories
what do traditional conservatives think about abstract theories?
abstract and utopian theories cannot be trusted
what do new right conservatives think about rationality?
endorse human rationalism and they have faith in abstract theory
what do new right conservatives think about humans intellectually?
maintain that human beings can be self-reliant and rational in their decision-making
what is atomistic individualism?
society made of self-serving and self-sufficient individuals
what did Robert Nozick say?
- Principle that humans should be treated ‘always as an end and never as a means only’
- since humans are rational- self aware beings with free will, they should not be treated as mere things
why does state have a role to play?
state has role to play in asserting authority due to flawed human nature
what do all conservatives think about humans morally?
morally imperfect
what are humans motivated by?
humans are greedy, selfish and motivated by base impulses and desires
why is a firm govt and tough criminal justice system required?
firm govt and tough criminal justice system is needed in order to prevent human behaviour from inevitably deteriorating
what does the exercise of power prevent?
sine human nature is morally flawed, only exercise of authority from above can prevent a descent into chaos and disorder
what did Thomas Hobbes say?
-he created a hypothetical situation known as ‘state of nature’ ; where people were equal and free and didn’t have to answer any form of higher authority
what would humans do Hobbes’ ‘state of nature’?
- humans would exhibit a restless desire for power due to their human capacity for evil
- need order and security to protect people from themselves
how do conservatives disagree over state and human nature?
disagree over what role state should have in controlling human nature
what do Neo-liberal conservatives argue about the state?
call for rolling back of the state
