Experience, Exposure, and learning do change human nature
This is a broad question, as there are different aspects to human nature, which as you know is based on biology (like religion). So, is there something specifically you're wondering can be changed? If not, here is my general take on things; people grow (or don't grow), however they do not fundamentally change. If I believe something is immoral today, I will likely believe that 20 years from now. However, I can grow to understand why a practice that is immoral still takes place in a society and not judge someone for their actions. Does that make sense? Like infidelity for example, I believe today, in the past, and in the future that it is immoral, however, I know people who have committed this and the circumstances around why, but I have grown to understand that these circumstances are not black and white as they seem.
What is human nature? I don't think there is one single definition. I believe human nature includes a broad spectrum of behaviors and values, many of which are shaped by circumstances and culture. Within a population, individuals express a range of behaviors from extreme selfishness to pure altruism. Every culture has developed social constructs, be they religious or legal, to curb what are deemed undesirable behaviors. Most every culture values children, family, tribe or nation, all to help insure survival of the group. In good times, we share resources even amongst unrelated individuals. Persons who hoard or take from others are universally shunned (except if they work on Wall St.). However, when resources are scarce, we tend to protect and guard them for ourselves, our family, our tribe. I don't think you can or want to change those fundamental aspects of human nature.
Of course yes, it depends on many social and financial factors.
Regards,
Emad
Of course human nature can be changed, all life is change. Just as our bodies change while we grow from children to adults, our natures change along with it. How often did you have one opinion when you were a child, but as you grew older, learned more about the subject, were exposed to new way of thinking about that subject, your opinions grew and developed in different ways to give you a better understanding of it?
Not all opinions will change. As you learn more about a subject you may find new reasons to believe you were right about your initial opinion, you find reasons that you were not aware of before that strengthen the opinion, make even more sense of your initial opinion.
Human nature for the whole of humanity is the same as human nature for the individual. Some ways will change and some will remain the same. At one time, it was commonplace for children to be allowed to work in hazardous or dangerous working situations from very early ages. At the time, most people considered it the right of the parent to choose what happened with their child. As humanity has changed, has grown up in effect, there are few who would disagree, at this point, that children are to be protected from dangerous and hazardous situations, even if a parent does not agree. There are worldwide efforts to protect the children of all people, regardless of location. We have learned that they are too important to allow to work in mines and factories where their health and life is endangered, as was one time common.
This is a change is human nature. What was once common is now abhorred as inhumane.
There have been many more changes as humanity has “grown up” and civilizations have become more aware. Though there is still much work to be done by humanity, we are improving, we are steadily changing in minute but important ways. The first step is to see that a change is needed on a subject, another step is to become more aware of the options for that change, then to reason though the change needed, decide on the manner of the change and to begin to work toward making that change,etc.
Start small with one person at a time and them branch out to include family, friends, community and society at large. We must change and improve ourselves before we can change and improve the world.
The natural and man-made systems in human nature are subject to change.
While this change is gradual in the natural systems in human nature due to its conservatory elements, the man-made systems in human nature are often subject to major and rapid changes due to the ever advancing course of technology and globalization.
YES IT CAN BE !!!!!
We have changed all the while haven't we !?!
From hunting to gathering to cultivating to developing to using to creating , @ times destroying ...
We can do , we have appreciation for nature , probably do not know how to preserve her .
We have huge families and yet lonely at times ...
We can't live without technology yet do not the backlashes of it ...
We fundamentally are made to change , coercion is not !
Yes if it is change the environment which he not belong.Then human become change.
We are half what our genes dictate and half what our memes dictate (approximately). Current science is researching if we can beneficially change genes. Currently we are stuck in that only the meme part is malleable.
Yes Kirk, It can be changed. I've seen hardened criminals transform into good human beings & sometimes, those who seemed saints turn criminal. All in my own lifetime.
Individuals do change but as some have said, it is not easy. According to Morris Massey, it takes a significant emotional experience (SEE) to make that happen. When I took some nursing students to an AA meeting, the leader of the group, himself a recovering alcoholic, said his SEE was seeing the distress his son experienced when men came to take his bike away for nonpayment. There was little money in the household because of this man's alcohol addiction.
Other significant events are near-death experiences. These seem to be more than just a SEE. People after an NDE generally will be more spiritual and less materialistic, lose their fear of death, have a renewed sense of purpose in their life. Some will alter electronic equipment and some with have an increase in psychic ability.
Here's a video on YouTube of Morris Massey. https://www.google.com/search?q=morris+massey+youtube&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-b-1-ab.
Here's an online continuing education course about NDEs and other transpersonal experiences that are free to view. http://www.rnceus.com/course_frame.asp?exam_id=94&directory=transpersonal.
For every human beings human nature is not the same .It varies dependently on their outlook of life ,however nature depend upon the temperament ,certain individual are sensitive & remain emotional in their nature . For other their are individuals who are with their nature remain angry & due to their circumstance standing they have with them ego , & pride & such individual differ in a different way due to their temperament .
For any human beings for controlling his nature for the valued of his life he can certainly make a change in his approach & character style of living as it is very clear that when their WILL , they is WAY .
This is my personal opinion
Human are born with the good inside them overwhelm evil. So their nature is based on being good, kind and loving others. What makes human nature reside in the good side is the characteristics of the environment where he/she is raised. In general, after a human nature is sculptured in a specific environment it is very hard to change it. Here I did not say that it is not possible, but it needs huge efforts compared to accomplishing this during the growth stage of the human being.
If any change is necessary, then it is to acquire greater autonomy and authenticity, but this I learnt from the Gilgamesh Epic-written over 3000 years ago. Enforcing change nevertheless results in a failure of creativity. Fixed ideas on human nature devastate thought and knowledge-development.
Part of the problem in answering this question is that "human nature" is not well-defined. What one person considers to be a change in human nature, another person could regard as having been within the remit of human nature all along, merely awaiting the conditions necessary for its manifestation.
With evolutionary gradualism, there may not even be such a thing as human nature (species essentialism) in the larger scheme of things; at best, human nature would only be a "for the time being" phenomenon.
https://rationalwiki.org/wiki/Species_essentialism
Yes it can be changed for the better. Educate the person and the good side of human nature will shine
All living organisms are subject to evolution, and thus nature can change. But genetic evolution is a slow process. Humans are social organisms, and some changes come not on genetic but on social level (psychology, behavior). We see a very rapid change in human behavior today (less connection to nature and agriculture from urbanization, mix of cultures, addiction to social networks, etc).
However, if we look at human behavior from the perspective of sins, we see not much changes over 2000 years. Despite the efforts of spiritual leaders to change human nature to better - the overall process was not so successful. Should we try? Probably yes. If we would not, perhaps human nature can become even worse.
Isn't it already changing? Any time a new ethical question arises, the very contemplation of it in ways changes human nature changes in ways intended or not intended.
Dennis
Dennis Mazur
Human nature changed with the rise of domesticity, agriculture, and then cities. We gained a concept of regular work, each day, of hierarchies, of time, of family units, of career-bound priests. As the brain is malleable, its likely they changed. Forming ever larger communities changed us. Technology up the present day has changed us......
And yet, the appearance of ISIS, the willingness of people to engage self-righteously in murder and rape, demonstrates that in certain ways, nothing changes...When psychopathology becomes acceptable we kill without thought.
There is also an answer from modern art. The popular song of group Keane "Everybody's Changing". Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx4Hjq6KwO0 . Some lyrics:
"You're aching, you're breaking. And I can see the pain in your eyes. Says everybody's changing, And I don't know why..."
"Nothing is permanent. Everything is subject to change. Being is always becoming".
-Buddha
The circumstances have their big impact on mankind attitude. Hence, every person can change in a time during his life even if he did not want or think about to change. I would recommend you to read a book entitle 'Man's search for meaning' to his author Frankl Victor. It will help you to understand how people change, why and their internal conflicts that sometimes lead them to do crazy actions without thinking
Can human nature be changed? Sounds like a question in the field of theology to me. From a Christian standpoint, it can be forgiven here in this world not changed, but escatologically changed in the future? Yes.
LPC
I believe yes, the human nature can be changed. This depends on many factors, such as, economical, political, and social environment.
It depends on many factors, the most important of it is the person's type of personality
Regards,
Although comely strenuous. It can be ascertained with determination and rocky will.
Regards,
Jahangir
Human nature is inherent may be changed only and only by nature
Human actions may be streamlined by Philosophy, society, constitution as supreme law of land incorporated all inherently for betterment of human
The question is predicated on there being a 'nature'. What would that actually refer to? We cannot apply human traits to natural events, in the physical world there is no good or bad, the natural world is amoral.
Human cultures however artificially superimpose abstract values on behavior sometimes ritualised by ritual or religion. Humanity is therefore not 'natural' and there is no 'human nature'.
According to studies using personality tests, a human's nature or personality does change over time. It takes decades for the changes to show up on the tests but the trends are there. Generally people become more feeling oriented and/or develop more abilities in new areas for them. The areas that were strong initially remain strong.
If by human nature we mean personality of course it changes. We judge human personalities on a value based system where some traits are considered 'good' and others 'bad'. This is an ethical system and is in many ways affected by experience.
If however we mean that human nature is some sort of inherent or instinct based system then it would be less likely to change. Since 'nature' is a human invention where what is and what is not 'natural' is culturally defined we can safely assume that, like all human characteristics it will change over time.
As for should personalities be changed, that would require a method for measuring them accurately and making accurate adjustments. Neither is possible so taking steps to impose change could result in a 'nature' ever bit as bad as the one you just altered.
The idea that people remain the same, for example, throughout their lives is effectively an illusion conjured up by familiar signposts-family, home, shared same (apparent) memories and the belief that the feelings, objectives and intelligence have somehow remained constant. It is likely that considerable change has been effected in the same or similar fashion to physical change. Ideas of personality are perhaps based more on expectation than science.
A basic problem of male behavior is aggression. Freud, the cultural pessimist, saw this fact as a not solvable problem for the further development. Sometimes I think, he was right, if we see the situation in the world today. My desire would be somewhat less aggression in the world.
Hein Retter
Arvind Singh
I agree with the statement, but also in a ironical manner: The social classes have experienced no change, that there are the rich, and here the poor, or vice versa, modern time did'nt change.
Kind regards, Hein Retter
I think it depends on person and which case when mistake happened.
CAN CHANGE:
It is believed that Rishi Valmiki used to kill and rob people in his early days when he was known by the name Ratnakara. Later he completely changed and wrote the famous Hindu epic ‘Ramayana’.
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/events/valmiki-jayanti-2017-history-and-significance-of-valmiki-jayanti/articleshow/60934657.cms
In my opinion, human nature can change under the influence of different environmental, social, psychological, biological factors etc.
I think the change of human nature is best defined by the classical theories of development: 1. The theory of cognitive development - J. Piaget; 2. The theory of psychosocial development - E. Erikson; 3. The theory of moral development - L. Kohlberg; etc.
According to the mentioned theories the change of human nature is part of the natural process of evolution of the person. Of course, the process of evolution can be more or less mediated by the environment, education etc., all of which influence human nature.
In my opinion in adulthood the change of human nature is very difficult due to the stability of personality traits and self defense mechanisms.
This resistance to change is often responsible for the failure of personal development programs, psychotherapy etc.
However, even if the profound change of human nature is unlikely in adulthood, this does not mean that new skills or competencies can not be developed for a more effective integration into the workplace, family, etc.
In my opinion, the first step for changing human nature in adulthood is self-knowledge. A good self-knowledge can lead to a more efficient management of emotions, behaviors, etc. in different life situations.The more self-managing is more effective, the more human can be managed, but not changed.
i believe that evolution is something beyond our will. you see, i am an animal, and i have the willpower to overcome my nature(stop imitating my parents), i can call this evolution.Now, as a new human on this world, i communicate with my body , soul and brain. i also call this evolution. this society is full of obstacles. i want a better world for every existential structure. it is like tragic irony , should it be changed? look back at human history until today, and ask yourself again. humanity is searching for water on Mars, when kids are dying on the way, to get some water..
@Larry Carlson : I am 29 and i don't want to have kids,because i believe that it is not something good for our planet. i love this planet, and with all the respect, i believe that you have an anthropocentric perception of our ''nature''. Universe is beyond our euclidian perception,we are not ''the chosen one's ''.Every organism with metabolism is a small universe,that's what i believe.Call me crazy if you want. Really moving your last sentence! Carpe diem!
First of all we need to be clear as to what is meant by human nature. Eg. if we say the nature of a branch of root is to move away from the sun and the nature of leaf vice versa, then, it means whatever a child is born with, the genetic code, the functions of the cells, parts of body, seeing, crying, sucking, smiling, all are parts of nature, which are already built in at birth without external learning or culture. Are we talking about that NATURE? or something else?
Considering the growing problems related to climate change, with the process of global warming progressing more and more rapidly in the coming years, Homo Sapiens man should change in accordance with the philosophy of sustainable pro-ecological development towards the Ecological Homo Sapiens. In connection with the above, the key question for the 21st century arises: Will man manage to implement the necessary pro-ecological reforms and change the classic economy to green economy before the global climate Armageddon, which may appear at the end of the 21st century? First, however, man would have to change his thinking to become environmentally friendly becoming Ecological Homo Sapiens. Is it possible? Global paradox. Everyone who has knowledge in this matter knows that the implementation of the principles of sustainable ecological development in accordance with the green economy philosophy and financing of green ecology projects is a must. Waiting for these projects to become fully commercial and profitable may result in humanity running out of time to implement these necessary pro-ecological reforms. Despite the fact that we know that this is a necessity, we still do not know whether it will be realized or whether man will become Organic Homo Sapiens. Global paradox difficult to solve.
Best wishes
Dariusz Prokopowicz
Human nature is routinely changed and its pristine state is long forgotten.
Various religions have changed us, some have made us considerably worse perhaps, others such as 2nd and 3rd century Christianity miserable and guilt written, others impractical or violent.
Psychology and psychiatry has changed and changes us by insisting on paradigms of abnormality, framing much of human nature within negative tropes. Politics changes us by forming us into groups.
We really do not know human nature anymore.
1. Yes, it can be changed.
2. Yes, we should try it to change.....If:
i) it is a positive change
ii) it can help that individual or his/ her surroundings in a positive way
iii)there is really no harmful impact and
v) the change has some lasting positive effect
If we suppose......, for example that human nature cannot be changed, but still we can improve ourselves........ throughout life span with conscious efforts to practise ethical behaviors.
How do we define human nature?
Is change towards good or bad?
I believe that changing behavior towards "better" is a great goal.
Life is a constant change. Humans can always change for better or for worse!
Yes, the nature of man changes during the different stages of his life, as man is influenced during the stages of his life by family education and the society in which he lives, as well as economic conditions, and the age stage that it is going through,furthermore the human being may change some natures by virtue of the experience that makes him diagnose the incorrect behavior that may be characterized at a certain stage to change for the better. .
Yes, human nature can be changed and I think it should be changed for the better so that it becomes a love for security and peace hates differences and wars love to cooperate with other human societies eager to help them and help them
Why not? Human nature can be changed to certain provided we start thinking about well being of others rather than thinkling narrow self interests. We may not expect too much because Homo sapiens is a sellfish species and wants to exploit all natural resources for itself.
As people learn and grow their nature will change. We are born thinking that hitting, throwing, breaking things, and doing nothing but playing is perfectly fine. As we grow up we realize those things are wrong and we replace them with better behaviors.
The social nature of man is in constant dynamic. It is situational in nature and is associated with the identification of a person with a particular community.
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