Human nature

High school (ages 12+)
Philosophy & Big Questions

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/human-nature

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the core philosophical concept?The fundamental set of dispositions and characteristics considered inherent to humankind
2. What is the key theoretical tension?The ongoing debate between innate biological factors (nature) and environmental influences (nurture)
3. Do we have a fixed set of traits that all humans share?Some people think there is a fixed set of traits, but others believe our traits can change based on our surroundings and choices.
4. How did scientists learn about human nature?Scientists like Charles Darwin studied how humans evolved from earlier animals, showing that our traits come from many years of adaptation.

Dispositions: Inherent tendencies or inclinations to behave or feel in a particular way.
Teleology: The philosophical concept that phenomena have inherent purposes or final causes.
Malleability: The quality of being easily influenced or shaped; adaptability.
Existentialism: A philosophy emphasizing individual existence, freedom, and choice in defining oneself.