The discussion of whether humans are naturally good, neutral, or evil is an interesting one. I think you’re right that modern evolutionary science/psychology would indicate that being “pro-social” is natural to humans on some level.
Does this make us naturally “good”? I think that can be a bit more of a loaded term. Sure, it may be natural to take care of our family, or perhaps our village, but we can often be xenophobic towards others. It seems to require reason to think about the fact that we should really treat all humans the same (of course - we can still have roles that are more local).
That said, I think if you were to run back the clock over and over again, you would end up with civilizational structures similar to what we have now! So in a sense increasing cosmopolitanism may be “natural” as well, but again, it somewhat depends if by “natural” we mean just our base instincts or if we mean “natural” as including the full range of human ability including reason.
Anyway, there’s some muddled thoughts for your Friday morning! 😅
Matthew, I agree, “good” is a murky concept, which is why I prefer to stick with prosocial. And you are correct that we are also naturally xenophobic, which means it requires reason to expand our circles of concern to the whole of humanity. The Stoics were aware of this: both Seneca and Cicero say that Nature gives us the beginnings of wisdom, but also the tool we need to build on such beginnings: reason.
The discussion of whether humans are naturally good, neutral, or evil is an interesting one. I think you’re right that modern evolutionary science/psychology would indicate that being “pro-social” is natural to humans on some level.
Does this make us naturally “good”? I think that can be a bit more of a loaded term. Sure, it may be natural to take care of our family, or perhaps our village, but we can often be xenophobic towards others. It seems to require reason to think about the fact that we should really treat all humans the same (of course - we can still have roles that are more local).
That said, I think if you were to run back the clock over and over again, you would end up with civilizational structures similar to what we have now! So in a sense increasing cosmopolitanism may be “natural” as well, but again, it somewhat depends if by “natural” we mean just our base instincts or if we mean “natural” as including the full range of human ability including reason.
Anyway, there’s some muddled thoughts for your Friday morning! 😅
Matthew, I agree, “good” is a murky concept, which is why I prefer to stick with prosocial. And you are correct that we are also naturally xenophobic, which means it requires reason to expand our circles of concern to the whole of humanity. The Stoics were aware of this: both Seneca and Cicero say that Nature gives us the beginnings of wisdom, but also the tool we need to build on such beginnings: reason.
Morton, they are all tests of virtue. Specifically, which virtues do these situations call for? Justice? Temperance? Courage? Wisdom?