Frans De Waal On Human Nature

In this paper, I am going to analyze the theories and claims about human nature created by Frans De Waal and Thomas Huxley as presented by the assigned textbook, reading packet, and class discussions. I will examine both ideas of the human condition through elements of observation to raise questions and thoroughly understand the viewpoints of De Waal and Huxley. I will then state that Huxley proposes a more convincing claim of the human condition and explain why I feel so. My conclusion is that while De Waal does raise keen observations about the morality of human beings, Huxley provides a more solid claim that moral tendencies and choices are not naturally part of the human condition. The elements of observation that I will primarily …show more content…
Huxley is able to be more convincing in his argument as he discusses how the defect in humans is compliant to the cosmic forces and the desire to build communities. As Huxley states on page 85, “Ethical nature may count upon having to reckon with a tenacious and powerful enemy as long as the world last.” This quote highlights the important part of Huxley’s diagnosis of human beings: that an ethical nature is an enemy to something tenacious, powerful, and long-lasting. I am going to assume those are the unchangeable cosmic forces of the universe. With this assumption, it seems that Huxley believed that the enemy to the learned ethical nature of humans is the cosmic forces of our world. Therefore, compliance with the cosmic forces implies abandoning ethical nature,goes against human competitiveness, and lessens humans’ ability to modify the conditions of their existence. Huxley’s diagnosis is also seen on page 82 when he states, “Men in society are undoubtedly subject to the cosmic process.” Assuming that “men” refers to all humans, Huxley is saying that being a member of society is subjecting one’s self to the cosmic process, a process that hinders the natural competitiveness and the personal advancement of humans. Desiring to build a community means that an individual complies with the cosmic …show more content…
He believes that cooperation is not compliant to the cosmic forces but compliant to the process of evolution. De Waal claims that humans are “social to the core” and cooperation is beneficial to survival. While I do understand De Waal’s logic, the competitiveness of humans and the combativeness towards the cosmic forces have allowed for the advancement of individual beings and the progress of humankind since competitiveness drives the species to make change. As for De Waal’s idea that human beings are social to the core, then why must an individual be trained to handle social situations and why do humans naturally distance themselves from others who are