Thirteen Theories of Human Nature

A “theory of human nature” consists of the following:

1. A background metaphysical understanding of the universe and humanity’s place in it
2. A theory of human nature in the more specific sense of a distinctive set of claims about human beings, human society, and the human condition
3. A diagnosis of some typical defect, what tends to go wrong in human life and society
4. A prescription for correcting what goes wrong and an ideal for how human life should best be lived