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.

1. Un-distinguished Lecture Series (UDLS)
Human Nature
and its consequences
Marcus Rohrbach
Computer Science Department
University of British Columbia 1

2. Human Nature and its consequences
Front note:
This talk might be generalizing
Best to my knowledge
- Might not be always scientific
Controversial topic
- Consequences
• Political, economic theory
• Religion
•…
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 2

3. Human Nature and its consequences
Experts or novice?
Have you heard of
- Human nature?
- Hobbes?
- Rousseau?
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 3

4. Human Nature and its consequences
Robin Hood alive: Good in nature?
University of California
Experiment
- 120 students
- Each has virtual amount
of money [tagesschau.de, picture-alliance/ dpa]
- See each others amount
- Move money of other people in 5 rounds
Result
- 70% took money from rich and gave to poor
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 4

5. Human Nature and its consequences
Outline
Definition
Historic Overview
- Hobbes
- Rousseau
- Discussion
Recent work
- E. O. Wilson
Consequences
Flashlight feedback
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 5

6. Human Nature and its consequences
Definition
What do think when you say
Human Nature?
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 6

7. 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
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 7

8. Human Nature and its consequences
Outline
Definition
Historic Overview
- Hobbes
- Rousseau
- Discussion
Recent work
- E. O. Wilson
Consequences
Flashlight feedback
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 8

9. 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
[public domain, see wikipedia]
- Transfer power to Sovereign
• To have peace
• Sovereign all power, misuse ‘OK’
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 9

10. 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
[public domain, see wikipedia]
• General will
• Not equal to will of all (Volonté de tous)
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 10

11. Human Nature and its consequences
State of nature
Inherently good
- John Locke
- Rousseau
Inherently bad
- Hobbes
- Original sin (Christianity)
• Lack of holiness (Psalm 51:5)
Neutral
- Social/biological determinism
• Human determined by social/biological factors
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 11

12. Human Nature and its consequences
Discussion
What do you think about
- Human nature?
- State of nature?
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 12

13. Human Nature and its consequences
Outline
Definition
Historic Overview
- Hobbes
- Rousseau
- Discussion
Recent work
- E. O. Wilson
Consequences
Flashlight feedback
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 13

14. 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 [Copyrighted, see en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
• Incest taboo Image:Edward_O_Wilson.jpg]
Exploration by all sciences
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 14

15. Human Nature and its consequences
Consequences
Political/social system
- Monarchy vs. direct democracy
Economical system
- Capitalism vs. common ownership
Human traits
Free will vs. determinism
Why do we do things we do?
- Loving, killing, hating, helping…
…
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 15

16. Human Nature and its consequences
Flashlight Feedback
Everyone gives a short uncommented
statement
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 16

17. Human Nature and its consequences
Flashlight Feedback - Initiator
Interesting topic?
-
Was it new for you?
-
Do you think its relevant?
-
Was it well presented?
-
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 17

18. 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]
Let’s forget about passion and fulfill our
desire at Koerner’s to find the real truth.
Thank you for your attention!
Questions?
UDLS - Marcus Rohrbach - 2007-04-13 18

19. 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/meldun
gen/0,1185,OID6616094,00.html
www.m-w.com
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