Single Idea 5313

[catalogued under 22. Metaethics / A. Ethics Foundations / 2. Source of Ethics / e. Human nature]

Full Idea

The rules followed in human decision-making are tight enough to produce a broad overlap in the decisions taken by all individuals, and hence a convergence powerful enough to be labelled 'human nature'.

Gist of Idea

The rules of human decision-making converge and overlap in a 'human nature'

Source

Edmund O. Wilson (On Human Nature [1978], Ch.3)

Book Reference

Wilson,Edward O.: 'On Human Nature' [Penguin 1995], p.67


A Reaction

This is a nice empirical criterion for asserting the existence of human nature, and it seems right to examine decisions, rather than more thoughtless or conformist behaviour. Existentialists dream of new possibilities, but the old ways always seem best…