However, in contrast to the question previously answered, when dealing with the second question, does injustice contradict with human nature, one must critically think of, and understand, what is meant by human nature. Human nature in this sense is not like that of the natural instinct of a wild creature, but rather it is the natural law all humans universally abide by. Cicero describes it best as, “knowledge of the truth, comes closest to the essentials of human nature, for we are all impelled and attracted towards a desire for discovery and knowledge.” It is the private interest of an individual which a person seeks and ultimately, voluntarily, agrees to follow. With that in mind, this question is referring to the unwritten law among human
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This natural instinct aligns with the goal of private interest, so it is human nature to take part in private interests. However, Cicero argues that following one’s private interest is indeed unjust, and public interest is the proper course of action. He claims “we should follow nature as our guide in this sense of making available shared benefits by exchange of our obligations, by giving and receiving, and in this way binding the community and its individuals closely together by our skills, our efforts, and our talents.” Public interests are intended to serve others, whereas private interests are meant to further the individual in any way possible. People strive to be just and complete duties which would serve more than merely themselves, but ultimately they are overcome by the desire to fulfil their private interest first. This need to place oneself before the community stems from Cicero’s idea that, “we keep our eyes and minds trained more closely on our own good and evil fortunes than on those of the rest of the world, which we view as though from a great distance. The result is that we judge other people’s problems differently from our own.” In other words, individuals understand their own struggles and needs, but it is much harder to fully comprehend what hardship others are encountering since it is not directly effecting anyone except that
This natural instinct aligns with the goal of private interest, so it is human nature to take part in private interests. However, Cicero argues that following one’s private interest is indeed unjust, and public interest is the proper course of action. He claims “we should follow nature as our guide in this sense of making available shared benefits by exchange of our obligations, by giving and receiving, and in this way binding the community and its individuals closely together by our skills, our efforts, and our talents.” Public interests are intended to serve others, whereas private interests are meant to further the individual in any way possible. People strive to be just and complete duties which would serve more than merely themselves, but ultimately they are overcome by the desire to fulfil their private interest first. This need to place oneself before the community stems from Cicero’s idea that, “we keep our eyes and minds trained more closely on our own good and evil fortunes than on those of the rest of the world, which we view as though from a great distance. The result is that we judge other people’s problems differently from our own.” In other words, individuals understand their own struggles and needs, but it is much harder to fully comprehend what hardship others are encountering since it is not directly effecting anyone except that