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m Human nature is a phrase used to describe

and explain the typical things we do as


humans. It is human nature to be curious,
for example.

m The philosophy or idea that humans have


universal or inherent traits which cause
them to act the way we do.
m `any modern-day
philosophers challenge the
phrase human nature. Is it
really true that we cannot
change who we are? Are
we different from animals?
What really makes us a
human being?

m Can Our Human Nature Be


Changed?
m There is plenty of debate on this
question. One can argue that it can be
changed to some extent.
m `arx·s Theory- occupies place on
conception of communism and his
critique on capitalism. `arx did not talk
about human nature, but about
Gattungswesen, meaning ´species-
beingµ.
m The term ´species-beingµ meant that
human have the ability to shape their
own life or nature to some extent.
m We cannot fully change because
certain characteristics of a human
restrict us to being as one in some ways
(shown in Ludwig Feuerbach·s
philosophy when he refers to humanity
as a whole).
m ¢videntially, we CAN change our nature...
m We possess freedom, therefore we hold the
power to shape our life accordingly and to
make it worthwhile.
m Soren Kierkegaard, the father of
existentialism, claimed each human is
responsible for making their life sincere and
passionate, in spite of existential obstacles
and distractions such as absurdity,
boredom and despair.
m ¢xistentialism was often used in the post-
World War years as a way to emphasize the
importance of individuality and freedom.
m Relevant to today- each human has a set
of individual rights, including freedom of
speech. (hence, freedom.)
m People define themselves using their own
standards and are given complete
freedom of choice.
m The concept that ´¢xistence precedes essenceµ
meaning that the actual life of a human
constitutes the essence.
m When we are born, we gain consciousness and
our ´essenceµ allows us to create our own values
and give meaning to life. (Basically, human
nature can be changed.) The world itself is
nakedly meaningless, and we make ourselves
special.
m We possess the ability modify and change our
own life and are able, to some extent, to change
our nature.
m Some people follow the theory of ¢xistential
Nihilism, meaning that life has no intrinsic
meaning or value.
m It stems from scientific analysis that physical
laws solely contributed to our existence.
m There are many forms of Nihilism and they
all mean different things. ¢.g. moral nihilism
means morality does not exist as something
inherent to objective reality (basically, it
means no action is preferable to the other.)
m vltimately means that a single human or the
entire human species is insignificant, without
purpose and is not likely to change on the totality
of existence (meaning each person has no value
and that we live everyday for no reason.)
m The only meaning of life is to live it. So simple, yet
so illogical.
m Therefore, since each human being is
insignificant to the other, we are all the same
and cannot change our human nature or alter
anything.
m `any believe human nature is inherent and is
within us when we are born. This is quite true. For
example, human nature can stem from the Bible
where it states we are all sinners and that no
human is better than the other and we all have a
predetermined, induced trait.
m Similarly, Buddhism stems from a comparable
concept, stating that our souls are impermanent;
however, we are born with five basic traits. From
these five traits, we have the ability to carry out
our duties on ¢arth to contribute to our Karmic
accumulation (human nature.)
m Buddhists believe human existence is
nothing more than five composite
aggregates (khandas)«..
m Physical Forms (rupa)
m Feelings or sensations (vendana)
m Ideations (sanna)
m `ental forms or dispositions (sankhara)
m Consciousness (vinnana)
m These khandas come together at birth to form a
human person.
m It states that a person is a ´Selfµ in that he/she
can accumulate Karma and is subject to moral
action, though the soul itself is not unchanging or
enduring.
m After death, reincarnation occurs and based on
the persons Karma, the person will reincarnate
into a different being. This shows we have the
ability to change ourselves, proving that through
moral actions we can change human nature.
m We were said to be created in God·s image, shown in
Genesis 1:26-27 (´Let us make man in our image«). God later
pronounced us to be ´very goodµ , hinting that God himself is
absolutely good, and because of this, he cannot be the
origin of anything evil.
m However, we have an induced fallen nature. When Adam
and ¢ve disobeyed God, they brought negative results that
endure to this day.
m When this happened, permanent damage was done to the
soul, which created each an every human to have a
tendency to commit sin.
m Sin is therefore universal; every human being has fulfilled the
inborn tendency and actually committed sins; therefore, we
have a naturally sinful nature which we can·t change.
m Similarities- both the Christian and Buddhist belief
on human nature share similar concepts e.g. both
believe we are born with a common trait. This
could be because both Jesus and Buddha
(founders of religion) shared similar ideologies and
thoughts.
m Differences- the Christian belief states that sinful
nature is induced and no matter what good deeds
we do, it will remain there. However, the Buddhist
belief states that we can change our nature by
doing good deeds (Karmic accumulation.)
m There is overall widespread controversy on
whether human nature exists or whether it
can be changed. On one hand, human
nature can be changed to some extent.
m On the other hand, human nature is
induced by sin and is unchangeable.
m In my opinion, our human nature is barred
to a certain extent, and that we possess the
freedom to make changes to our life that
we see fit.

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