The conception of human nature in modern political thought : with special reference to the work of Charles Taylor
[From the introduction:] This thesis will analyse and advocate a 'contextualist' reading of human nature. By reference to the work of Charles Taylor it will be argued that Modern conceptions of human nature are (to echo Nietzsche) 'dead'. This is to attack the suggestion that a conception of human nature may be understood in an ahistorical, universalist, abstract or 'unencumbered' sense. A conception of human nature must, of necessity, it will be argued, be understood in a more dynamic and 'local' sense. It is the suggestion of this thesis that human nature must be understood in a sense akin to the existential notion of 'facticity', or as possessing a degree of 'determinacy'. While human nature is 'encumbered' by its 'situation' in time and geographical location it is not however wholly determined. An individual's existence is co-determined by individual choice, the individual's history, and by Nature. Human nature must be recognised to have a facticity, to exist at a certain point in history, in a certain country, to be encumbered by countless other emotional ties, friendships, and loyalties. This 'embedded' conception of human nature is delineated and explored through Taylor's conception of human nature
Hounslow, Adam Philip
Politics ; Philosophy ; Religion ; Political science ; Public administration
The conception of human nature in modern political thought : with special reference to the work of Charles Taylor. [From the introduction:] This thesis will analyse and advocate a 'contextualist' reading of human nature. By reference to the work of Charles Taylor it will be argued that Modern conceptions of human nature are (to echo Nietzsche) 'dead'. This is to attack the suggestion that a conception of human nature may be understood in an ahistorical, universalist, abstract or 'unencumbered' sense. A conception of human nature must, of necessity, it will be argued, be understood in a more dynamic and 'local' sense. It is the suggestion of this thesis that human nature must be understood in a sense akin to the existential notion of 'facticity', or as possessing a degree of 'determinacy'. While human nature is 'encumbered' by its 'situation' in time and geographical location it is not however wholly determined. An individual's existence is co-determined by individual choice, the individual's history, and by Nature. Human nature must be recognised to have a facticity, to exist at a certain point in history, in a certain country, to be encumbered by countless other emotional ties, friendships, and loyalties. This 'embedded' conception of human nature is delineated and explored through Taylor's conception of human nature
conception_human nature modern political_thought special_reference work charles_taylor introduction analyse advocate contextualist read human_nature reference work charles_taylor argue modern conception_human nature echo nietzsche dead attack suggestion conception_human nature may_understand universalist abstract sense conception_human nature must necessity argue understood dynamic local sense suggestion human_nature must_understand sense akin existential notion possess degree human_nature situation time geographical_location however wholly determine individual existence determined individual choice individual history nature human_nature must recognise exist certain point history certain country countless emotional tie friendship loyalty embedded conception_human nature delineate explore taylor conception_human nature