Human nature

Published on 17/09/2012 00:00

Recourse to “human nature” by William Ballantine (Letters, 15 September) is an easy and wrong interpretation of human behaviour.

Don’t people living in different societies and cultures or in various social groups develop different perceptions? What we call “normal” perceptions in the West would be considered “abnormal” in societies such the Dobu or Arapesh in Papua New Guinea. The former were so suspicious we would call them “paranoid” and the latter couldn’t stand self-assertion.

However, the main weakness of the “human nature” view is its reliance on basically fixed instincts. Arguably language use frees us from “human nature” and we choose to “conceal and deceive” or not.

Ellis Thorpe

Old Chapel Walk

Inverurie, Aberdeenshire

William Ballantine used the phrase “human nature” with its usual derogatory undertone. I never hear or see this phrase used in connection with love, honesty, courage, creativity, decency or 
humour. How sad it is that the pernicious doctrine of original sin seems to be so deeply ingrained and widely accepted.

Dr PM Dryburgh

Newbattle Terrace

Edinburgh