Human Nature: The Science of What Makes Us Human

Abstract

The topic of human nature spurs considerable discussion. Understanding the human nature calls for closer scrutiny of the human beings as part of nature as well as the distinctive characteristics they possess differentiating them from the rest of the creation. The purpose of human beings passes as a significant topic in the understanding of human beings. Human beings have a divine purpose pitting them in control and responsible for the rest of the creation. Most notably, the nature of human beings largely controls their choices and behavior which can be viewed as being controlled by the three structures of human nature: the soul, personality, and free will. In addition, human choices, as well as behavior, are also a function of the community and relationships existing between man, the community, and the divine.

Keywords : human nature, divine, moral, soul, free will.

The human nature

Human nature is an expansive subject of discussion noting that there are many theories put forward to explain human nature. However, human nature can be simply described as the place that the humans have in nature as well as making attempts to shed light on the specific characteristics that make humans different from other parts of the creation ( Greene, 2018) . Understanding human nature requires that a clear distinction is obtaining between the nature of human beings and human beings as part of nature. While looking at human nature from the perspective of what place does human beings occupy in nature, there ought to be a clear understanding of the things that makes human beings different from other animal species and their connection to religion.

The bible makes efforts to show the nature of human beings albeit without clear boundaries. In Genesis 1:26-28 human beings are described as having been created in the likeness of God and as such showing the perfection with which human beings were created. God is not a God of confusion and is a perfect God explaining why human beings were created special among the whole creation as well as without sin before the fall at the Garden of Eden.

Moreover, with human beings created in the likeness of God, therefore, they were made stewards of the creation taking care of it on behalf of God. Human beings are charged with the responsibility of naming other animals in addition to being given the authority to increase and subdue the earth. From this perspective, human nature can be understood by creating a link between God and human beings. In the book of Psalms 8, human beings are shown as second to God above the angels putting more emphasis on the high rank that has been bestowed upon them among the creation.

The nature of human beings can be viewed as an intimate relationship with God. With human beings being given the mandate to name the animals, the intimacy of God’s relationship with human beings is clearly shown. Additionally, God is seen as making numerous visits to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden as is clear after Adam and Eve had eaten of the forbidden fruit. Moreover, the fact that God still made garments for the two even after sinning shows that indeed the nature of human beings is special.

Human actions have a significant role in being human. In many cases, human nature is associated with all the negative behavior and actions. It is common to hear of “Oh that is just how people are. It is human nature” whenever irresponsible as well as indecent behavior comes up. Human actions, as well as choices, add to what human beings are on top of what God initially intended. The fact that man even after having been given immense power over the whole of the creation would still go out of the way and sin signifies that human beings are sinful ( Kronfeldner, 2018) . Human beings have a choice with regard to actions and behavior noting that if the actions of man were his nature, therefore he would always do whatever behavior is in question and would have no power to resist or do otherwise. Human beings are capable of actions that are deplorable as well as decent ones.

The purpose of human beings 

The debate concerning the purpose of human beings can take different dimensions. However, in my opinion, human beings have a divine purpose which is to serve God. The service of God can be looked at in different points of view. First, man’s service to God can be largely associated with the divine instruction of taking care of the creation. Additionally, human beings have been instructed to procreate and subdue the earth and as such procreation constitutes another purpose of man as divine instruction. Moreover, working is a purpose of human beings. Even though at creation human beings were not being created to till the earth and eat from their sweat, the disobedience of man made it that man has to work as Paul puts it if one does not work he should not eat.

The morality of human behavior has been a subject of virulent debate over the years. There exists a general contention over what is moral with a section of philosophers postulating that viewing morality as the actions that are directed towards others in such a way they cannot harm them ( Kronfeldner, 2018) . On the other hand, there are those who view morality as applying to an individual’s loyalty to his ethical values. It can be argued that both views largely contribute to making human behavior moral or immoral. In the instance that an individual undertakes an action that means well for other then it must be that such an action constitutes what the individual views as ethical thus conforming to his ethical values and subsequently becoming moral to him. On the other hand, undertaking actions bent on harming others deviate from what would be viewed as ethical hence becoming immoral.

Human structures 

God's creation of man and woman is anatomically different which can be viewed as a way of God to make man and woman complement each other. In addition to the anatomical differences existing between man and woman, it can be concluded that both have souls, free will and a personality. Postulations by Plato in his quest to understand human nature shows that human beings have a soul that is the site of reason and is potentially independent of the body in addition to being eternal. By having a soul which is the point of reason, human beings can be said to have free will which is the ability to make deterministic decisions. It is worth noting that human beings are able to act and make decisions on “inside influence” stamping the fact that indeed they have free will. Furthermore, human beings possess a personality which is the unique characteristic behavior, patterns of thought and feelings that are specific to a person. The structures of free will and having a soul greatly influence what is the personality of human beings.

The role of community and relationships on human behavior 

The community and relationships have a useful part in determining as well as influencing human nature and behavior. The community to a large extent sets what is moral and what is immoral among human beings thus making such values become deterministic of the behavior of human beings ( Greene, 2018) . Human beings whose behavior is in contrast to what is set by the community as moral are deemed as unethical and deserving of some form of punishment. On another note, relationships determine human behavior and nature. The fact that God created man to be in an intimate relationship with Him largely configures the behavior and the nature of man.

References 

Greene, R. (2018).  The Laws of Human Nature . London, England: Profile Books. 

Kronfeldner, M. (2018).  What's Left of Human Nature?: A Post-Essentialist, Pluralist, and Interactive Account of a Contested Concept . Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.