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Human nature: an oxymoron?

David Heyd1

  • 1Department of Philosophy, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel. msheyd@mscc.huji.ac.il

The Journal of Medicine and Philosophy
|August 29, 2003
PubMed
Summary

The traditional concept of human nature is challenged by modern philosophy and science. This analysis examines its relevance to contemporary genetic technologies like gene editing and cloning.

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Area of Science:

  • Philosophy of Science
  • Bioethics
  • Human Genetics

Background:

  • Aristotelian philosophy defined humans by a fixed 'human nature'.
  • Modern philosophy (e.g., Kant) and positivism challenged the notion of a natural, essential human characteristic.
  • Human nature is now often viewed as open-ended, emphasizing self-shaping and transcendence.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To critically analyze the concept of human nature.
  • To assess the argument from human nature in bioethical debates.
  • To evaluate the moral legitimacy of contemporary genetic technologies.

Main Methods:

  • Historical and philosophical analysis of the concept of human nature.
  • Critical examination of the rift between the human and the natural.
  • Application of this analysis to contemporary genetic technologies.

Main Results:

  • The traditional concept of human nature is philosophically undermined.
  • The 'argument from human nature' has diminished force in debates on genetic technologies.
  • Contemporary genetic interventions challenge essentialist views of human nature.

Conclusions:

  • The coherence of the traditional concept of human nature is questioned.
  • The application of 'human nature' arguments to germ line genetic manipulation, genetic engineering, eugenics, and cloning requires critical re-evaluation.
  • A more nuanced understanding of human nature is needed for bioethical discourse.
Keywords:
Genetics and ReproductionPhilosophical Approach

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