One of the age-old philosophical debates revolves around whether human beings are conditioned more by nature or by nurture. Many different academics, philosophers, and scientists have given their opinions on this matter. However, the debate goes on to this day as there are no clear-cut answers.
This conversation is so important, actually, that it is now being seen in student research as well. Many essays at https://samploon.com/free-essays/nature-vs-nurture/ showcase the topic from an educational standpoint. The presence of this debate in education shows how significant nature vs nurture topic is in today’s world.
After checking out some of the free essays on nature vs nurture, you might be wondering who the better teacher is among the two. Before we talk about that, though, let’s take a look at what the debate definition is.
An Introduction
The debate’s point is to find out which of the two aspects of human life is the better teacher and what lesson we can learn from the results. ‘Nature’ in this debate talks about all of the genetic factors that influence human beings, while ‘Nurture’ refers to all the variables around us that shape our personalities. Researchers are trying to figure out which of these two affects human development more in order to decide once and for all which one is a superior influence.
Two Opposite Opinions
Philosophers like Plato and Descartes have suggested in the past that some things about a person are just part of who they are and don’t get affected by any environmental influence. Many other people believe that most of our behaviors, if not all, are a result of genetic inheritance and nothing else.
On the other hand, people who believe more in nurture say that we learn our behaviors from things around us. John Locke, for example, thought that humans are born with a blank slate as far as their minds are concerned and that everything they learn is based on their experience in the world.
Important Questions
Some important questions that are being asked about nature vs nurture include:
- If a person achieves great success, is it because they were genetically wired for that, or did they get affected by a very healthy and positive environment?
- If a man grows up to be an abusive father or husband, is it because his father and grandfather were abusive, or did he just learn to abuse his wife or child by his surroundings?
Many of these questions are very tough to answer. A lot of what comes to mind when one thinks about these issues is a combination of both genetic information and a person’s upbringing. So, when you really think about it, do both nature and nurture affect the same aspects of a person’s development?
A Fine Balance
Well, not always. A lot of research is showing today that there is a balance between nature and nurture that leads to a person’s development. There are many genetic behaviors that people are born with, just like there are many behaviors that they learn from their surroundings. For example, you may have very good genes when it comes to the ability to detect the pitch of a musical note but that wouldn’t mean that you’d turn out to be a great musician. To do so, you would have to interact with your surroundings, learn about music, and practice in a positive environment.
Conclusion
From this example, the lesson learned is that nature alone isn’t always responsible for someone’s personality, just as nurture alone isn’t either. Many contemporary scientists and researchers believe that there is a balance between these aspects leading to a person’s development. However, the debate definition still hasn’t changed as many studies are still being done on the matter, especially when it comes to issues such as homosexuality and intelligence. But whatever experts find, it is very clear that most of the development a person goes through is a result of both nature and nurture, not just one of them.
