Msg sent to Steve accidentally, now fwded to list. On Tue, 2004-10-26 at 11:05, J C wrote: > >Oh, and, by the way, I keep hearing about "human nature" but the only > >precise descriptions of it I've ever heard of involve characteristics > >that are clearly based on and learned from a given society, or culture. > >Other than the instinct to survive, just what IS "human nature?" > > Human nature is, beyond the instinct to survive, the instinct (or recognized > need) to form social groups, and hierarchies of power within those groups, > as well as to progress oneself along whatever path one chooses for oneself, > ie spiritual, intellectual, whatever. (if one has such luxury). Human > nature is also to strive to find a place within the societal group. Most > people, however, don't wish to be, though there are a great many who are > perfectly fine with being, followers, or to be perceived as "expendable" or > "commonplace". Some are more qualified than others to lead, but those > others who are discarded still need to lead, so they either splinter from > the society or work against the existing power structure that has "betrayed" > them from within. Seldomly do they cooperate with the system that says > they're not good enough to be top dog, I think, and accept their place as > "middle management". > > Human nature, then, is fiercely individualistic while at the same time > communal out of necessity, leading to man's conflict not only with himself > but with others of his species, in addition to being in conflict with his > ENVIRONMENT, which is different that being in conflict with nature/his > nature. > > This is obviously a very male-oriented standpoint. I would look with > interest on a feminine counterpart. The best I can come up on my own, as a > male, would be that females place more emphasis than males on community. > (not necessarily supplanting individuality in importance, but nevertheless, > I would imagine that community matters more to women) Males have been shown > to be acutely aware of their hierarchical position, whether they're happy > with it or not. I can't remember what the study that came up with these > findings said about females > > Jon > > >