Philosophy of Human Nature

Catalog description

We all operate with an implicit theory of human nature-for example, when we deal with other people, decide what is worth striving for or which social arrangements to support. In this class, we confront the issues surrounding the existence and character of human nature explicitly. Examples of questions we will address are: Are we our minds or our bodies? Is the human mind a blank slate inscribed by experience or is it more (as some cognitive scientists put it) like a coloring book within whose lines experience paints? In what sense are we like other animals and in what sense are we different? Are we social by nature or does society serve to keep our natural tendencies in check? And finally, is there a universal human nature? Satisfies elective requirement of Philosophy major. Satisfies elective requirement of Philosophy minor. Satisfies Philosophical and Religious Perspectives requirement.