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After looking at top-models in computer graphics last time, we make a 90° turn and look to the 'top-models' of human nature. What did some famous philosophers think? Is the human nature 'bad' (Hobbes) or 'good' (Rousseau)? Do these models agree with today's society and how we live today? Can they explain how we behave in daily life (e.g. why we are lazy or why we help each other)?I will give give several initiatory insights, giving us lots of material to discuss at Koerner's.From the Un-Distinguished Lecture Series (http://ws.cs.ubc.ca/~udls/). The talk was given Apr. 13, 2007.
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Human Natureand its consequences
Un-distinguished Lecture Series (UDLS)
Marcus Rohrbach
Computer Science DepartmentUniversity of British Columbia
2UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Front note:
This talk might be generalizingBest to my knowledge - Might not be always scientific
Controversial topic- Consequences
• Political, economic theory• Religion• …
3UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Experts or novice?
Have you heard of- Human nature?- Hobbes?- Rousseau?
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Human Nature and its consequences
Robin Hood alive: Good in nature?
University of CaliforniaExperiment- 120 students- Each has virtual amount
of money- See each others amount- Move money of other people in 5 rounds
Result- 70% took money from rich and gave to poor
[tagesschau.de, picture-alliance/ dpa]
5UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Outline
DefinitionHistoric Overview- Hobbes- Rousseau- DiscussionRecent work- E. O. WilsonConsequencesFlashlight feedback
6UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Definition
What do think when you sayHuman Nature?
7UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Definition
Merriam-Webster- the fundamental dispositions
and traits of humans
Wikipedia- Fundamental nature and substance of humans- and behavior- Invariant
• Long time• Cultural context
8UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Outline
DefinitionHistoric Overview- Hobbes- Rousseau- DiscussionRecent work- E. O. WilsonConsequencesFlashlight feedback
9UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Thomas Hobbes (1588 – 1679)
Idea- homo homini lupus
„man is man‘s wolf“- Man is ‘bad’- Leads to war all against all.Political Theory- Social contract- Transfer power to Sovereign
• To have peace• Sovereign all power, misuse ‘OK’
[public domain, see wikipedia]
10UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Jean Jacques Rousseau (1712 – 1778)
Idea- Man is good by nature- But corrupted by society
Political Theory- Social contract- People have sovereignty- Volonté générale
• General will• Not equal to will of all (Volonté de tous)
[public domain, see wikipedia]
11UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
State of nature
Inherently good- John Locke- RousseauInherently bad- Hobbes- Original sin (Christianity)
• Lack of holiness (Psalm 51:5)
Neutral- Social/biological determinism
• Human determined by social/biological factors
12UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Discussion
What do you think about- Human nature?- State of nature?
13UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Outline
DefinitionHistoric Overview- Hobbes- Rousseau- DiscussionRecent work- E. O. WilsonConsequencesFlashlight feedback
14UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Edward O Wilson (* 1929)
Human nature- epigenetic rules
• “Development after DNA inheritance”
- Does not include• Artworks
- Includes• Art appreciation• Fear for snakes• Incest taboo
Exploration by all sciences
[Copyrighted, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Edward_O_Wilson.jpg]
15UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Consequences
Political/social system- Monarchy vs. direct democracyEconomical system- Capitalism vs. common ownershipHuman traitsFree will vs. determinismWhy do we do things we do?- Loving, killing, hating, helping……
16UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Flashlight Feedback
Everyone gives a short uncommented statement
17UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13
Human Nature and its consequences
Flashlight Feedback - Initiator
- Interesting topic?- Was it new for you?- Do you think its relevant?
- Was it well presented?
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Human Nature and its consequences
“If history and science have taught us anything, it is that passion and desire are
not the same as truth.”[Edward Osborne Wilson - Consilience, p 262]
Thank you for your attention!Questions?
Let’s forget about passion and fulfill our desire at Koerner’s to find the real truth.
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Human Nature and its consequences
Reverences
All the important terms in this talk @- http://de.wikipedia.org/- http://en.wikipedia.org/
http://www.tagesschau.de/aktuell/meldungen/0,1185,OID6616094,00.htmlwww.m-w.com