Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
that it is impossible to present a fixed model of it as has traditionally
been done in many religious and philosophical theories. But we are not
left hanging, so to speak, for we can reflect on our selves, our situation,
and our experiences. We know that we are a species that engages in sym-
bolic discourse and communicates efficiently and profoundly through
language as no other organisms can. Most important, we seek to find
systems of meaning for our lives that help us to make sense of our
experiences as well as to transform them.
The shift to genetics and genetic understandings of both evolution and
human origins, as well as the HGP itself, has given rise to a variety of
explanations of human nature and behavior loosely grouped under the
heading of sociobiology. In the next section of this chapter, I will examine
both general sociobiological claims as well as various philosophical per-
spectives that ground these claims, focusing thematically on freedom,
altruism, and transcendence, for the sake of offering insight into our
elusive, dynamic, and changing human nature.
Human Nature in the Context of Modern Biology
Here, moving from the general considerations about humans in relation
to modern biology discussed earlier, I wish to consider three specific ques-
tions that have historically been associated with human nature, but that
have been challenged or seen as irrelevant in light of modern biology. As
mentioned above, these are the questions of freedom, altruism, and a
capacity for transcendence or religion.
These three characteristics of humans have typically been understood
as qualities that separate us from other animals, that give us a particu-
lar relation to our own actions and other beings, as well as provide a
sense of meaning that transcends our biological fate. Contemporary
commentators have also singled out these characteristics for analysis. I
wish to join this debate by incorporating aspects of other philosophical
traditions as well as aspects of contemporary thought to help develop
some insights into our human nature.
Sociobiological Perspectives
In what follows, I will present a sampling of sociobiological perspectives
on two core problems historically associated with an understanding of
