human nature

n 1. the qualities common to humanity 2. ordinary human behaviour, esp considered as less than perfect 3. (Sociology) sociol the unique elements that form a basic part of human life and distinguish it from other animal life

hu′man na′ture

n. 1. the psychological and social qualities that characterize humankind. 2. the character of human conduct, generally regarded as produced by living in primary groups. [1735–45]

Thesaurus

Noun

human nature - the shared psychological attributes of humankind that are assumed to be shared by all human beings; "a great observer of human nature"attribute - an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity

Translations

generela natura umananaturanatura umana

human nature

the characteristics pertaining to human beings as a natural kind or species. Sociologists are generally agreed that, compared with other animals, the distinctive quality of human nature is its PLASTICITY. Rather than being born with specific INSTINCTS or predispositions, to be developed by maturation or automatically triggered by the environment, the BEHAVIOUR of human beings is influenced by CULTURE and SOCIALIZATION. Thus, suggestions that human beings are naturally acquisitive or aggressive can be countered by examples of societies in which acquisition or warfare are absent. Above all, human beings have developed the capacity for REFLEXIVITY, thus introducing the possibility of RATIONAL ACTION and rational social development. Against this, however, CIVILIZATION is sometimes seen as a veneer (e.g. Freud, Civilization and its Discontents), in which the instinctive aspect of human nature keeps breaking through, tending always to limit PROGRESS or rational development.

human nature

human nature

human nature

hu′man na′ture

human nature

human nature

human nature

Words related to human nature

noun the shared psychological attributes of humankind that are assumed to be shared by all human beings

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