Human nature is a concept that denotes the fundamental dispositions and characteristics—including ways of thinking, feeling, and acting—that humans are said to have naturally. The term is often used to denote the essence of humankind, or what it ‘means’ to be human.
Human nature: Six things we all do :
- SKILLS
Human nature: Being playful
All mammals play – but no other species pursues such a wide variety of entertainment or spends so much time enjoying themselves - KNOWLEDGE
Human nature: Being scientific
Humans are constantly sorting the world into categories, predicting how things work, and testing those predictions – the essence of science - BEHAVIOUR
Human nature: Being legislative
Chimps stick to simple behavioural norms, but we humans, with our language skills and greater brainpower, have developed much more elaborate systems of rules, taboos and etiquette - FEEDING
Human nature: Being epicurean
Compared with other animals, the feeding behaviour of humans is exceedingly odd. Where they just eat, we make a meal of it - SEX
Human nature: Being clandestine
Nothing is quite as puzzling as our predilection for clandestine copulation. Why do humans have sex in private? - COMMUNICATION
Human nature: Being gossipy
Language has shaped our nature profoundly – and arguably, our way with words reaches its apogee in gossip
