Saturday, April 4, 2009
Chapter 12 Discussion Question #2
The thought that Americans hold three basic beliefs about human nature: that humans are at heart rational; that humans are perfectible; and that human nature is highly susceptible to social and cultural influence is quite interesting. I find myself only believing in two of the three premises. I think that the rationality premise, the belief that most people are capable of discovering the truth, is a premise that falls true to human nature and also because if the resources available in our world today. I also think that mutability premise which assumes that human behavior is shaped by environmental factors is also quite true. We are a product of our environments and this premise is basically stating that. Some examples of social institutions and practices that are based on these beliefs would be universal education and non democracy type American Institutions.
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very interesting post. After reading the chapter I thought all three would qualify but your post convinced me other wise. I agree with you especially on the mutability premise. We are a product of our sorroundings its shapes our views lifes and beliefs. I want to take this out with living in california the melting pot of the US our views on people and beliefs is so much different then the rest of the country even the world just based on the mutability premise.
ReplyDeleteHi Capones Mom,
ReplyDeleteWe agreed on two out of the three premise and they were the same ones. The rationality premise was one that I agreed with; I didn’t however think of the resources that are available today in our world. Great example. I completely agree that the mutability premise is true. If we really think about it, not only is human behavior shaped by environmental factors we become an intricate part of our environment. I don’t quite understand why you stated non democracy type American institutions would be an example of this. I check back on page 353 and it states, “…underlies many American institutions, including democracy, trial by jury, and free enterprise” (Trenholm, 2008). I just want to let you know just in case it is a question on the final.
I don't think I meant to put the word non before democracy in the above blog. Sorry for the confusion!
ReplyDeleteCapone's Mom