The Essence of Human Nature - 808 Words

Tamera Davis Professor Droegkamp Humanities Cluster January 10, 2011 The Essence of Human Nature - Journal Two After reading Lau Tsus Thoughts from the Tao-te Ching, and The Analects of Confucious, I realized that my philosophy of human nature fell closely in line with the philosophies both men lived by. As Confucious stated, To respect parents and elders is the root of humanity. Whether on a personal level, professional level, political level, or in any other facet of daily living, the respect provided to any individual lays the foundation of their actions, reactions and views. When you look at all that is going on in the world today, it seems to me that respect is one of the things that is lacking. We hear on†¦show more content†¦Though I am not stating that the transgressions of individuals, including our government leaders, should go unnoticed or unpunished, I also do not believe that the predecessors were free iniquity. Today we seem to look more at the affairs and sins of others, using them to justify our own wrong doing that we do not stop and consider the simple practices taught and lived by Confucious and Lao-Tzu. I am not a pessimist. I am not a cynic. I just believe very much like Lao Tzu that if you center your county [or yourself] in the Tao...evil will have no power. Not that it isnt there, but youll be able to step out of its way. Give evil nothing to oppose and it will disappear by itself. If we could live by that simple motto, life as we know it would change for theShow MoreRelatedJean-Jacques Rousseau and The Essence of Human Nature Essay1449 Words   |  6 Pagesaccording to nature† (Aristotle. Politics. II). It is this idea that Rousseau uses to define his second discourse. Rousseau begins his story of human nature by â€Å"setting aside all the facts† (132). Rousseau believes the facts of the natural state of humanity are not necessary to determine the natural essence of human nature, and adding facts based on man’s condition in society does not show man’s natural condition. The facts don’t matter for Rousseau because to understand the essence of human nature requiresRead MoreExistentialism And Human Emotions By Jean Paul Sartre1513 Words   |  7 PagesJean-Paul Sartre s novel Existentialism and Human Emotions discusses his philosophy that man is responsible for what he is and what he does; that man chooses his values and makes himself. At the beginning of the book, Sartre defends existentialism against several charges that had been laid against it. Throughout the book, Sartre refers to the basis of existentialism using the phrase ‘existence precedes essence . With this, phrase lies the basis for the argument that Existentialism is a HumanismRead MoreJohn Locke, Paul Sartre, And Georg L. Hegel1710 Words   |  7 PagesPHL 492 Final Paper April 14, 2015 The subject of essence is not something that the average person thinks about everyday, or ever in their life. There are several varying arguments over essence including arguments from John Locke, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Georg W. F. Hegel. Two of these men argue that essence is something that we gain later in life once we have made the choice of who we want to be. The third argues that we all have the same essence from the time we are born. The arguments of these threeRead MoreThe State Of The Natural Person Has Been At The Center Of Political Thought996 Words   |  4 Pagescontemporary life or if these feelings are indicative of an estranged essence (25). To better understand this concept, the definition of â€Å"essence,† as defined by Tinder, is one’s â€Å"innermost or [most] basic self;† the thing which is â€Å"beneath the ephemeral and misleading appearances† (26). 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They believe that absurd humans do whatever makes them happy, but before realizing theRead MoreThe concept of human nature focuses on the distinctive natural characteristics of humans, namely1500 Words   |  6 Pages The concept of human nature focuses on the distinctive natural characteristics of humans, namely the ways we feel, think and act, regardless of external forces as well as influences. Within the study and discipline of Philosophy, this fundamental nature of humans and our existence is scrutinized. Philosophy involves a continuous search and lookout for an accurate understanding of the underlying traits of humankind that are deemed to be common among all humans. Starting with the ancient philosophersRead MoreThe Doctrine Of The Trinity1236 Words   |  5 PagesThe doctrine of the trinity The doctrine of the trinity is the essence and reality of God in his deepest inner life. The trinity is the highest thing that the human brain can contemplate. The doctrine of the trinity is one of the most mysterious theologies in the Christian faith and it is the heart and soul of its teachings. In the trinity there is one true God but three persons. The father, son, and holy spirit. There are misconceptions or heresies going against this belief that there is one GodRead MoreEstrangement: Political Philosophy and Good Life Essay868 Words   |  4 PagesEskandari Political Science 132 December 5, 2005 Unessentially Estranged Chapter two of Glenn Tinders, Political Thinking: The Perennial Questions on estrangement and unity asks us whether we as humans are estranged in essence. This question really sets the tone for the rest of the book, because if humans are estranged then we would not be living together in societies, therefore not needing political science to answer such questions that deal with societies. As Tinder describes it, politics is