Does human nature truly exist?

[reekah]

I don't believe anything is truly universal in human beings, not even our elemental traits.

Not everybody can abstract (retarded and autistic people cannot). Not everybody has bipedal locomotion, or can use complex language to communicate ideas.

As for temperaments, well I always thought that the term from Star Trek "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" best describes us. There is no "normal" within us.

So, how can human nature exist?

[Prinie]

Michael Jackson says it does.

"If they say, why, why? Tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why does he do me that way?
If they say, why, why? Tell 'em that is human nature
Why, why does he do me that way?"

Laugh a little, reekah. It's okay...

[Maguru]

Originally Posted by reekah

I don't believe anything is truly universal in human beings, not even our elemental traits.

Not everybody can abstract (retarded and autistic people cannot). Not everybody has bipedal locomotion, or can use complex language to communicate ideas.

As for temperaments, well I always thought that the term from Star Trek "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" best describes us. There is no "normal" within us.

So, how can human nature exist?

It's all human nature and we are all normal given the circumstances into which we are born.

[Rimuel]

I assume by "human nature" you are referring to "those traits of a human that doesn't change from one human to another human."

Well I can think of a few:

- Almost everyone wants to or wanted to have sex, at one point or another.
- Almost everyone have fears or have experienced fear
- Almost everyone, during their younger days wanted affection, although what is affectionate differs from one individual to another
- Almost everyone hates or have hated someone who violated their values
- Almost everyone have strengths and weaknesses, inevitably causing them to be unable to stay away from other humans
- Almost everyone (can we say everyone?) have tastes and preferences
- Almost everyone can think about something

[Prinie]

And with all that said, I'm out.

[Cheese Consumer]

Originally Posted by reekah

There is no "normal" within us.

So, how can human nature exist?

There is no normal today because we all are raised differently and that makes us different. Our culture is only a collection of habits that are acceptable to those around us. What is acceptable to one group cause another to react- the wearing of traditional headgear is but one topic in point. All habits and cultural aspects are the product of a functional reactive mind or subconscious which is programmed by the immediate environment. There are no exceptions to this today.

Human nature is a generic term that really has little meaning when you disassemble people into reactive and non-reactive intentions. Is it human nature to be greedy (the fundamental intention behind commerce)? Is it human nature to believe (the fundamental force behind religion)? Is it human nature to have contempt for others (the fundamental force behind inequality)? The answer to these and a myriad of others is categorically no because these are all reactive components of the 'modern' human. resolve all the reactive elements in a person and they no longer have any human nature traits, and we can all live in peace etc. It really is that simple.

I'd pose a more interesting question: What is the human nature of an enlightened individual?

Some best guess answers:
Peaceful and unreactive, regardless of influence or external force
Immune to commercial stupefaction
Not prone to habitual behavior
Not prone to addiction
Not prone to sexual misadventures
Shares unconditional love for and with others, no matter what
Inclusive without exception
Has no need for reciprocation, exchange and leveraging of value (the mechanism of money)
Physically healthy- the mind controls the body and the present epidemics of obesity, diabetes, cancers etc are largely caused by our reactive programming (environmental hazards excepting)

Thats what I want.

CC

[wstein]

Originally Posted by reekah

As for temperaments, well I always thought that the term from Star Trek "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" best describes us. There is no "normal" within us.

So, how can human nature exist?

This is flawed logic. Red, orange, yellow, green, and many more are ALL different, yet ‘colors’ still exist. Things need not be the same to have something in common.

Not all ‘people’ need to have all features in common to be ‘human’. Human nature is a superset of features of which only many are required to qualify.

And yes, at some point, with enough traits removed, a being is no longer human.

[raykilleen]

Originally Posted by reekah

I don't believe anything is truly universal in human beings, not even our elemental traits.

Not everybody can abstract (retarded and autistic people cannot). Not everybody has bipedal locomotion, or can use complex language to communicate ideas.

As for temperaments, well I always thought that the term from Star Trek "Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations" best describes us. There is no "normal" within us.

So, how can human nature exist?

Humans on simple levels have many similarities, on complex levels dispositions vary greatly, suffering is widespread...ignorance of one’s true inner nature the cause, mistaken What Am I as human.