What do you think?
Rate this book
Who Are We?: Theories of Human Nature
What is our nature? What is this enigma that we call human ? Who are we? Since the dawn of human history, people have exhibited wildly contradictory qualities: good and evil, love and hate, strength and weakness, kindness and cruelty, aggressiveness and pacifism, generosity and greed, courage and cowardice. Experiencing a sense of eternity in our hearts--but at the same time confined to temporal and spatial constraints--we seek to understand ourselves, both individually and as a species.
In Who Are We? Theories of Human Nature , esteemed author Louis P. Pojman seeks to find answers to these questions by exploring major theories in Western philosophy and religion, along with several traditions in Eastern thought. The most comprehensive work of its kind, the volume opens with chapters on the Hebrew/Christian view of human nature and the contrasting classical Greek theories, outlining a dichotomy between faith and reason that loosely frames the rest of the book. The following chapters cover the medieval view, Hindu and Buddhist perspectives, conservative and liberal theories, Kant's Copernican revolution, Schopenhauer's pessimistic idealism, and Karl Marx's theory. Freud's psychoanalytic view, the existentialist perspective, the Darwinian view, and scientific materialism are also discussed. Pojman concludes with a discussion of the question of free will, ultimately asserting that each one of us must decide for ourselves who and what we are, and, based on that answer,
how we shall live.
In Who Are We? Theories of Human Nature , esteemed author Louis P. Pojman seeks to find answers to these questions by exploring major theories in Western philosophy and religion, along with several traditions in Eastern thought. The most comprehensive work of its kind, the volume opens with chapters on the Hebrew/Christian view of human nature and the contrasting classical Greek theories, outlining a dichotomy between faith and reason that loosely frames the rest of the book. The following chapters cover the medieval view, Hindu and Buddhist perspectives, conservative and liberal theories, Kant's Copernican revolution, Schopenhauer's pessimistic idealism, and Karl Marx's theory. Freud's psychoanalytic view, the existentialist perspective, the Darwinian view, and scientific materialism are also discussed. Pojman concludes with a discussion of the question of free will, ultimately asserting that each one of us must decide for ourselves who and what we are, and, based on that answer,
how we shall live.
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 21, 2005
5 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
May 20, 2022
Served as a good introduction to philosophical outlooks on human nature through the ages. The writing was simple and easy to grasp, but made sure to introduce the essential major topics.
Would really like a section on feminist anthropology, based on the rise of varied gender philosophies and how it is shaping the current landscape.
Would really like a section on feminist anthropology, based on the rise of varied gender philosophies and how it is shaping the current landscape.
February 27, 2009
A decent survey of philosophies of human nature. I would have preferred a more objective survey with less of the author's "I" sprinkled into chapters he felt more strongly about. Also the repetition of certain quotes reminded me at several points that the author may have several leanings in what I was hoping to be a level playing field of review.
November 4, 2012
Pojman excellently captures the ideas behind several philosophical ideas in this book. It is well written, well structured and easy enough to follow and understand without undermining the philosophers or their theories.
December 6, 2020
Great survey
December 11, 2022
Luettu elämänkatsomustiedon aineopintoja varten.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews