a thread on mars. by saz.

[Dylan]

so it sounds like when you say "human nature" you mean things that a large majority of people will desire/experience at some point in their life?

[lnrw]

how people might think, act and react to certain things. there are ranges of all of those. but they are human attributes or human nature if you will.

it doesn't make so much difference about it's name. call it what you will.

but it has been used, whatever it's named, to predict reactions and manipulate other humans. so whatever you want it named, it has to exist. considering how politicians can manipulate large parts of a crowd or population, it shouldn't be difficult to recognise.

[Dylan]

Fair enough..I agree there are certain traits most people exhibit. Doesn't mean they are good or normatively desirable though.

[lnrw]

no, it doesn't. which is where i think ex's rejection of the term comes from. it can be as evil as hell, but it is still a part of the nature of at least part of humanity.

[The Comrade]

[lnrw]

humans are responsible for their behaviour. to claim it's instinct would be how you're attempting to create your strawman.

i claim no such thing.

[exploited]

[lnrw]

it can be.

but it still has value as a concept.

humans have a far wider range of emotions and ability to think, act and react than other species. so quit confusing the concept of human nature and mother nature.

[exploited]

[lnrw]