Human Nature, Views of

Abstract

People’s views of human nature are part of their general attitude toward their fellow beings. The general attitude derives more from experiences than from formal learning. The experiences that produce views on this very basic matter begin at birth and continue through childhood, adolescence, and at least early maturity. One’s religion, one’s political orientation, and one’s attitude toward his or her fellow beings are very stable. The durability of these influences is confirmed by the persistence of opposing, incompatible views on religion, politics, and human nature. Millions of people are Christian or Muslim or Confucian or Buddhist and few of them ever move from one of these religions to another. The same is true in politics. And the same is true in views of human nature.