Question #8: What is the fundamental character of human beings?

July 5, 2008 by Stephen Palmer 

| 10 Foundational Questions | Introduction | Question #1 | Question #2 | Question #3 | Question #4 | Question #5 | Question #6 | Question #7 |
 

“Fear is the foundation of most governments; but it is so sordid and brutal a passion, and renders men in whose breasts it predominates so stupid and miserable, that Americans will not be likely to approve of any political institution which is founded on it… The foundation of every government is some principle or passion in the minds of the people. The noblest principles and most generous affections in our nature, then, have the fairest chance to support the noblest and most generous models of government.” - John Adams in Thoughts on Government

 
At the core of political philosophy and constitutional government is the issue of human nature; we can’t know how to govern unless we fully understand whom is being governed. Designing and managing a polity must take into consideration who human beings are, how and why they act, and how to best promote their happiness.

Human nature is composed of two things: 1) motivations, and 2) tendencies.

Human Motivation

The brilliant Austrian economist Ludwig von Mises formulated a methodology for understanding human action that he called “praxeology.” Mises deduced fifty laws of human action, which include the following highlights:

  1. Choice determines all human action.
  2. Human action is purposeful; people make choices for reasons.
  3. Action is the attempt to change the state of being for a more satisfactory state.
  4. No person does anything except what they think will improve their satisfaction.

The core of Mises’ laws is that we act to increase our satisfaction. From getting up from the couch to get a soda, to going to church, to perpetrating violent crime, every human action is designed to bring the actor more satisfaction than he or she currently feels.

A well-designed body politic, then, will allow its citizens to seek and gain satisfaction in any way they see fit, as long as they do not encroach upon the unalienable rights of others. As the Roman statesman Cato said, “By liberty, I understand the power which every man has over his own actions, and his right to enjoy the fruit of his labor, art, and industry, as far as by it he hurts not the society or any members of it, by taking from any member or by hindering him from enjoying what he himself enjoys.”

Human Tendencies

Are human beings good, or evil? Are we fallen beings, or are we enlightened beings of light and love? Do we seek depravity, or degeneracy?

Yes.

It seems like most philosophers have held the either/or view of human nature; some say we are good, and some say we are bad. It seems clear to me that we are both, that inherent to every individual is the potential for divinity and degeneracy.

Why It Matters

The purpose of government isn’t to change human nature; it’s simply to allow us to be free and to prevent us from using our freedom to harm others. It’s not–or at least should not be–a positive, offensive force employed to mold people and institutions; it must be merely a negative, defensive force used to protect unalienable rights.

If you want to change people for the better, the government is the absolute worst place to do so, since by nature government is force. You can’t force people to be and do good; you can simply influence, inspire, and persuade through love and example. As George Washington said, ““Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire,a troublesome servant and a fearful master.” Inevitably, imperious dictators and benevolent demagogues end up in government; it’s the quickest–and laziest–route to “do good” and impose one’s will upon society.

The Connection Between the Human Spirit & Liberty

One cannot believe in liberty without also believing in the power of the human spirit, our capacity to transcend external circumstances, our persistent desire to find truth and virtue in the midst of violence and degeneracy.

If you don’t believe in people and their ability to succeed, you’ll eventually come to believe that you must be their guardian and caretaker. This mindset inevitably leads to a condescending benevolence and false philanthropy using the force of government, as opposed to humble service through voluntary virtue.

If you believe that people are fundamentally evil and that you must change them, you’ll become a dictator to impose your will upon others; you’ll force them to change, believing that they won’t change otherwise.

If you believe in the human spirit, your modus operandi for enacting societal change will be through loving persuasion and humble service using private, voluntary institutions such as religion, family, charitable organizations, business, etc. If you believe that human beings are fundamentally weak and selfish–but you feel called upon to “help” them–chances are that you’ll use the force of government to attempt to change human nature. In the first scenario, your view of others will be from the position of a servant looking up; in the second your view will be as a ruler looking down.

Conclusion

Using the force of government is the absolute worst way to help or to change people; it leads to nothing but tyranny, bureaucracy, mediocrity, and stagnation. The government must allow its citizens to pursue their own forms of satisfaction, as long as they do not prevent others from doing the same. People can be both good and bad–when government stays in its proper role to protect unalienable rights it encourages the good and prohibits the bad. People must be helped and influenced to change through voluntary private institutions.

Recommended Reading:

The Uncomfortable Mirror: Overcoming Self-Deception Through the Study of History
Statesmen Versus Dictators: Plato & Aristotle Contrasted & Applied to Leadership Education
Thoughts on Government by John Adams
Human Action by Ludwig von Mises

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Filed under: Constitution, Culture, Government, Human Nature, Liberty, Philosophy, Politics, Service, Statesmanship
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Comments

One Response to “Question #8: What is the fundamental character of human beings?”

  1. spiffy3 on July 11th, 2008 12:07 pm

    Excellent essay Steve, thank you for your continuing efforts to promote freedom and help restore our American Republic.

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