If you’re interested in how genes and environments affect our behavior, read this philosophy nature vs nurture article. It will give you the basics on the relationship between genes and environment, and explain how modern science is changing these debates. After reading it, you’ll be better equipped to make your own conclusion about the issue. Also, consider the opinions of scientists like Psychiatrist Frances Champagne. Do your genes matter or is it entirely up to your environment?
Plato
Plato’s philosophy of nature versus nurture makes a lot of distinctions between these two theories. Ultimately, it is up to us to decide which one is right for us, as there will always be cases for both. However, we can consider both the role of nature and nurture in shaping a person’s character. This will help us better understand why Plato believes in the role of nature over nurture.
Essentially, the nature versus nurture debate is a philosophical dispute about the relative contribution of genetic inheritance to human development. Plato and Descartes both believed that some traits are inborn, independent of their environments. The nativists, on the other hand, hold that almost all human behavior is genetically influenced. While it is possible to have genetic traits without environmental influences, they are still subject to environmental influences.
Plato’s philosophical work explored the importance of virtue in society. He wrote works on virtue and power, as well as on religion and morals. He eventually became the founder and presided over the academies in 385 B.C., where he wrote The Republic. In the Republic, he discussed the virtues of virtue. Aristotle, on the other hand, suggested that virtue and social constructs are necessary to achieve happiness.
The nature versus nurture debate has long been discussed in the scientific community. Biologists and psychologists debate this issue in their work, and many students have taken classes on psychology. If you are studying psychology or sociology, you’ve most likely encountered the debate. A nature vs nurture essay will provide an excellent overview of the issue. You can also use this essay as a guide to explain why nature and nurture influence behavior.
Aristotle
There are two sides of the Aristotle and nature vs. nurture debate. The empiricist school of thought argues that human actions are determined by experiences rather than innate factors. Locke, Berkeley, Hume, and Mill all argued for this view, which has had a great influence on Western thought. But it is difficult to decide which side is correct. Here is an example of how each side argues their case.
Aristotle argued that the influence of the environment can be attributed to the development of the brain and physical attributes. But he criticized some of Plato’s theories, and was not appointed head of the academy when Plato died. This resulted in him leaving Athens and travelling to the islands of Asia Minor, now part of Turkey. There, he studied in the islands to develop his knowledge.
According to Aristotle, the study of human nature began with the philosopher Socrates. While Plato believed that virtue was sufficient for happiness, Aristotle maintained that virtues were necessary for the good life. So, virtue was the goal, but it was earned. This is what differentiates philosophers from others. However, it is difficult to determine what makes a philosopher or a scientist from an animal, and neither of these theories proves the existence of a soul in two-dimensional space.
Moreover, Aristotle posited the role of a city or a family or individual. He believed that a polis serves as a space for a good life, and not the other way around. The utopian ideal is not necessarily desirable, and Aristotle’s view remains influential today. Aristotle’s works are the basis for scientific activity in almost every field of study.
Psychiatrist Frances Champagne
The long-standing debate about nature versus nurture has centered on whether the environment or the individual is more responsible for a person’s characteristics. While there is no clear consensus regarding what causes traits, scientists have noted that the environment has a significant role. Similarly, a person’s genes can also influence their behavior. Both factors interact with one another. Despite their apparent differences, these factors must be considered in tandem.
One of Champagne’s most fascinating studies focuses on the effects of environmental factors on a child’s brain development. She has studied the impact of a toxic chemical, bisphenol A, on children during the postnatal period and in the prenatal period. Using mice, Champagne and her colleagues have shown that exposure to this chemical adversely affects a child’s behavior.
Research shows that early experiences shape a person’s future. Children growing up in poverty are at a higher risk for depression and drug addiction. However, these same experiences can affect any adult. This research has been underway for over a decade and has revealed that life experiences can alter a person’s DNA. Specifically, it can alter the way proteins are packed and how the DNA is structured.
Influence of genes
The nature-nurture debate has long been a source of controversy. The debate over genes and environment has also influenced social policies and politics. In many cases, this debate has fueled racist policies. Many nativists have argued that heredity determines a person’s race. As a result, heredity has been used as a scientific justification for discrimination and oppression.
The philosophy of nature versus nurture is often based on the idea that human individuality stems primarily from genes, whereas scientists have shown that human traits are the product of both genetics and environment. While both factors are important, the debate often takes an oversimplified approach, with one factor arguably having more influence on a person’s traits than the other. In this sense, genes are more important than environmental factors in determining a person’s traits.
Some genetic traits are largely determined by environmental factors, and the influence of these influences is often insignificant. Nevertheless, environmental factors such as early experiences, social interactions, and education do play a role in developing the human personality. Thus, a student who excels at mathematics is likely to have a genetic ability, but also learned the subject from a variety of sources. This is true whether or not the person is born with a’strong’ personality or a weak one.
Some scientists consider genetics to be irrelevant in the debate because their findings suggest that genes and environmental factors are always interrelated. Some genes are unable to function without environmental inputs, while others may undermine environmental factors. For example, a person can be genetically predisposed to develop phenylketonuria, which is a disease caused by genetics. Likewise, environmental toxins can affect the expression of certain genes.
Influence of environment
The phrase “nature vs. nurture” first came into use in the early nineteenth century, and is credited to Sir Francis Galton. Since Hippocrates, scientists have debated whether there is any evidence for heredity, which they consider the origin of human behavior, or whether these traits are influenced by environment. According to Galton, both biological and social factors influence the development of a person.
On the other side of the debate, the influences of environment are more important. While genes are essential in shaping one’s personality, environmental factors, including upbringing, schooling, and peer group interaction, can also have an impact. A student who excels at math is likely to have inherited the ability, or perhaps cultivated it with hard work and study. If the student’s parents’ teaching styles and upbringing were highly supportive of learning, is this more likely to be hereditary?
Environmental influences have significant effects on gene expression. A diet low in the amino acid phenylalanine can suppress the genetic disease phenylketonuria. Gene-environment correlations also indicate that certain genotypes are better suited for certain environments. These findings are important because the two factors are intimately linked. In the end, the answer to the question of what is “nature” and “nurture” lies in our environment.
Recent scientific research has shown that social and environmental factors can influence educational outcomes. In fact, gender differences in test scores and access to education also affect educational outcomes. Girls tend to score higher on math and verbal tests than boys, and they are less likely to choose STEM fields as they progress in school. This is an example of how nature advocates argue that social factors have more influence than genetics. And since genetics are not the sole determinant of our behavior, it is impossible to make a definitive conclusion.