Human nature facts for kids
Human nature is all about the special ways humans naturally think, feel, and act. It looks at the traits that make us human.
It's a big question what these traits are, why we have them, and if they can change. These ideas are very old in philosophy, which is the study of knowledge. They influence how we think about right and wrong (ethics), how societies are run (politics), and beliefs about God (theology). Understanding human nature can help us live better lives. It also shows us what might be hard to change.
Artists and writers also explore human nature in their works. The humanities, which are studies like history and literature, also look into what it means to be human.
Contents
What Makes Us Human? Different Ideas
Many smart thinkers have shared their ideas about human nature. Some of these ideas have been studied for a long time. For example, a popular college textbook first listed seven main ideas in 1974.
These seven ideas came from:
Thirty years later, the book included ten ideas. This shows how ideas about human nature can grow and change over time.
The ten theories were:
Aristotle's View on Human Nature
Aristotle was a famous student of Plato. He shared some very important ideas about human nature. Many of his thoughts are still talked about today.
Aristotle believed humans are:
- Conjugal animals: This means we naturally live together and form households or families. Small groups like clans could be led by the head of a family.
- Political animals: This means we can create complex communities, like cities or towns. These communities have different jobs for people and make laws. This is different from just a big family. It needs humans to use their reason and thinking skills.
- Lovers of imagination: We enjoy looking at things, learning their names, and thinking about them. This isn't just for making laws.
For Aristotle, reason is the most special thing about humans. It's what sets us apart from other animals. He believed that using our reason is when we are at our best.
Some of Aristotle's ideas are still important today. However, his idea that humans are "meant" to be something specific is less popular now.
How Biology Shapes Us
Humans are mammals. We have changed and developed over a very long time through evolution. This means that many parts of what we call human nature are passed down to us. They are a result of natural selection, where traits that help us survive are more likely to be passed on.
We are not born as "blank slates." Our minds and how we act have very old roots. This is part of the "nature vs. nurture" debate. This debate asks if we are more shaped by our genes (nature) or by our environment and experiences (nurture).
Evolutionary psychology studies how evolution has shaped our minds and behaviors. Ethology (the study of animal behavior) and sociobiology also look at these questions. They study human nature from the point of view of human evolution and what we inherit.
Images for kids
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Portrait of Mencius, a Confucian philosopher
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Statue of Shang Yang, a prominent Legalist scholar and statesman
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See also
In Spanish: Naturaleza humana para niños
