Nature Of Human Beings

Running Head: Human Nature 1

Human Nature

Name

Institution

Human Nature 2

The traits or fundamental disposition of humans constitute human nature. Many theorists

such as Augustine, Hobbes, and Sartre have proposed various theories that seek to explain

human beings. Some theorists argue that humans are naturally competitive and selfish while

others believe that humans are social and altruistic. Humans have distinctive characteristics that

distinguish them from other species on the planet. It is therefore important to understand the

various characteristics or dispositions that define human beings. This paper will contrast

Augustine and Hobbes view of human beings and evaluate which thinker makes an accurate

description of human beings and good life.

Saint Augustine of Hippo is one of the thinkers from the medieval period that provided a

lot of insights about human nature. Having a strong Christian background, Augustine argument

about the nature of human beings revolves around God, love, and sin. Augustine argues that

humans are controlled by a longing for meaning, a sense to fulfill a specific purpose and a desire

to find our place in the entire universe. Humans often seek for the meaning in their lives and will

remain restless until they find this meaning. Augustine argues that the longing for meaning and

wholeness is what motivates human existence. The quest to find meaning for life pushes people

to cherish various objects such as women, friendship and praise. Most of the time these objects

do not fulfill an individual's desire and often lead to more misery and emptiness. Augustine

believes that the only way that people can truly find their meaning and purpose on earth is

through surrendering to God. By surrendering to God, humans are able to get the fulfillment of

heart that they greatly desire.

Augustine argues that an individual's longing for meaning and fulfillment is not a choice

but comes from birth. From birth, humans try to fill the void in their lives using various different

objects in order to quench their desire for fulfillment. Most of these objects become gods and

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define the type of life an individual lives. The longing for fulfillment and meaning constitutes to

love. Humans desire to find the right object to fulfill their desire and longing pushes them to love

the various objects fully. Humans may opt to seek material fulfillments such as wealth, education

and family or prefer to select spiritual fulfillment through embracing God. Material fulfillment

constitutes the love for flesh and most people may opt to view these finite goods as their gods.

Augustine argues that loving material and finite good is not sinful since they are God's creation.

However, treating these objects as if they were God constitutes to sin. Humans attempt to fulfill

their longing with infinite goods or materials often broadened then void and increase their

longing. Most people will fail to find the satisfaction in these material objects and continue to

look for more worldly pleasures. From this argument, it is evident that human nature is driven by

the desire to find fulfillment and meaning. Most of the time people opt to find pleasure in

material and finite objects and this further worsens their longing and fails to fulfill their desires.

Human being often tries to fulfill their infinite void using finite goods and such a move leaves

the heart emptier and this widens the already existing void. By widening the gap people become

increasingly desperate to find ways of filling the gap. Individuals end up clinging to earthly

goods for fulfillment and fail to acknowledge the spiritual fulfillment. For instance, a person may

view wealth as a solution to his longing and this pushes him to amass more wealth with a belief

that it will solve his challenges and bring fulfillment. The desire to fulfill our longing with

material objects is what constitutes to sin as people start using others as avenues for getting

money and wealth. The desire to find fulfillment in material objects transforms people into

sinful beings who lack respect, compassion, and love for others. They use other people as a tool

to get what they want or desire.

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Lastly, Augustine argues that people find pleasure in doing a wrong action just because it

is wrong. Human beings often find pleasure and joy in doing something wrong. Most people

often turn a blind eye to the suffering that their actions cause and think only of themselves. By

focusing on fulfilling our longing with material goods, individuals tend to forget the needs of

others and only focus on their desires. The longing for meaning and fulfillment transforms

humans into selfish being who only focus on pleasing themselves at the expense of others.

Thomas Hobbes also offers a different view of human beings in his theory. Hobbes

believes that all human beings are characterized with the natural desire to live well and that a

person cannot be satisfied with the power he/ she haves and constantly acquire more and more

power as time progresses. Hobbes believes that humans are controlled by the desire to achieve

specific goals and needs. Unlike Augustine who believes that humans should wholeheartedly

desire God, Hobbes argues that human desire self-preservation and the freedom to pursue

personal interests. The freedom to pursue happiness and pleasure is what defines human behavior

and character. Hobbes argues that after getting power, humans often start developing other

desires such as fame, glory, and admiration from other individuals. He believes that human

desires cannot be fulfilled and continue to develop as an individual progresses in life.

Hobbes also acknowledges that all people in the world are created equally. Thomas

believes that every person is equally capable of killing another person as individuals have

different characteristics that complement each other. For instance, a person might be strong but

has a lower intellect and another person might be weak but possess great intelligence or other

abilities. Hobbes argues that human nature primarily focuses on seeking power. He argues that

when two or more individuals want the same thing, the individuals become enemies and start

destroying each other. He further argues that humans are competitive beings who constantly

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fight against each other for power or other important aspects such as wealth. Hobbes argues that

competition, distrust, and glory are the primary causes of war. He argues that individuals often

invade their enemy's territory for personal gains, their safety or for the purposes of glory. Due to

the fragile nature of the human relationship, there is a need for common power to unite people

and create harmony among human beings. He believes that the natural state of human beings is

war and harmony constitutes the artificial state and it is based on agreements. Through having

common goals or interests individuals are able to unite against a common enemy that seeks to

destroy them. Hobbes argues that all men are defined by their interest in self-preservation.

Hobbes’ view of the nature of human beings helps him develop a framework for an ideal

government. He believes that governments were formed to unite people and create artificial

harmony among individuals while protecting them from foreign enemies. A common power

would be created if people submit themselves to one ruler who in turn assures the individuals

their self-preservation.

Both Augustine and Hobbes provide valid points and arguments about the nature of

human beings. However, Hobbes provides a more accurate description of human beings.

Humans are generally self-interested and they desire power and material goods. Many biological

and psychological studies have demonstrated that humans are selfish and only fight for their

personal interests. For instance, Darwin's theory of natural selection argues that humans often

chose mates that have best qualities and characteristics in order to produce healthy offspring.

Conversely, Freud argues that humans are governed by the self-serving pleasure principle. Freud

argues that people tend to go to greater lengths to seek personal pleasure and avoid pain. Hobbes

assertion that humans are always competing amongst themselves is absolutely right and

represents the true picture of human nature. In everyday life, people are always competing to be

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better in school, work or in the political arena. Everyone wants to be the best at what he/she does

and to gain fame and power. Through competition, people become enemies and start fighting one

another. Moreover, Hobbes’ argument that governments help in uniting people and creating

artificial harmony is accurate. People tend to unite when faced with a common enemy or

problem. In the society, individuals will choose to submit to a ruler if the ruler protects their self-

interests and guarantees their security. Through agreements and common goals, individuals are

able to transform from a state of war to harmony.

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