In Search of Human Nature

Abstract

In recent years I have been teaching a general elective course called “Human Nature”. On the first day of class, when I ask the students to tell me what they think about human nature, most of their responses revolve around the question of whether human beings are naturally cooperative and good, or naturally selfish and bad (the majority tends to favor the second alternative). Later in the course, I ask them to tell me what they think morality is; most say it is a set of rules for behavior imposed on the individual by society. A few of them dissent, maintaining that conscience is inborn.