Nature versus Nurture

Abstract

We inherit our environment just as much as our genes. What is more integral to one's behaviour: the innate qualities or the influences on the individual? Philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau have had strong, conflicting opinions on this issue. While Hobbes opines that human beings existing in a state of nature, are savage and brutal; Locke gives a theory which is today referred to as ‘the blank slate’. For Rousseau humans are born innately good and it is the society that corrupts. All these theories are reflected in one way or the other in our recent educational trends and practices. Nature cannot be changed but nurture can be devised in ways so as to instruct students in balancing the demands of id, ego and superego. While Pavlov's conditioning and Watson's behaviourism highlight the role of environment; Chomsky and Howard Gardner have laid importance on innate abilities. However, one cannot deny that both nature and nurture cannot function without each other.