Chapter 2
What ails human nature?
Let me see how the real and abstract variables of life play out, while beginning with an examination of human nature.
What is human nature, but a set of basic assumptions, the humans have about themselves? And it seems, we all have reached a conclusion that these are of fundamental importance to our life. What is its significance to the race as a whole? Have we examined this question?
Clearly, in all other areas we dwell upon, like the living and non-living objects, we apply every possible argument and reason, however far-fetched, to test conclusively, whatever assumptions we happen to make. Thereafter we may incorporate those assumptions on a trial basis. If and only if no abnormality could be found during this time and proven beyond doubt, we accept such assumptions as a part of our life. But, when it comes to human nature, sadly, such prudence is not there at all. We merrily accept all the basic assumptions as proven facts.
I therefore think, there is room for two questions. One, how come we landed up in such a state, as far as this question go? And two, how to extricate ourselves. That is, what should be human nature? Since the second question points to an urgent need, let me address it first, leaving the first one, which perhaps is more of academic importance.
While writing down my thoughts on a variety of topics that are intrinsically linked to our day to day life, what I could find was that we humans have a penchant for rather hasty generalizations. These always lead to error, and for correction and prevention of which, we have an elaborate structure that is always in the making, of collecting and processing information, and acting on it. Which could time to time necessitate the issue of certain guide lines, for the future, for acting on fresh errors, and for getting the structure itself augmented. And we take enormous pride in this structure, calling it the unique part of human.
I have a question. If being in error, is not a part of human nature, where is the need for such a structure as this? Rather than maintaining an elaborate structure for locating and administering remedies to a myriad of activities, occurrences, or events, why can’t we think of specifying correctly, a single entity, namely, human nature.
I think it makes sense. When we need to learn human nature, just as we do for all other aspects of life, where we learn either by being taught or by experience, here too, we can specify ourselves to be, say, error free.
Now, what exactly is human nature?
I feel, currently we think of humans to be differing greatly from all the other forms of life. But, do they? As far as the functions essential for the maintenance and progression of life is concerned, there is no great difference. Both are well equipped to perform all such functions, each following its own style and extent. But on closer look, there is a difference. One’s nature, for all other species of life, support unfettered growth. For humans, unless they keep their nature in check, they will be meeting their doom, very soon. And humans perpetually are busy doing something, where, each one will be busy with something that is in consonance with their nature. All this points to a big difference. And this difference is the one, which has come to known by the term human nature. This I think needs some explanation, since a few questions arise instantly. What is it? How did humans acquire it? What effect does its have on the fortunes of human race? And, What is the optimum way of handling it?
How do machines acquire a nature
Let us tackle a simpler issue. Think of inanimate objects. I think mainly owing to the environmental particularities of use and the personal priorities of the user, one can say, things acquire a sort of personality. To mention an example, think of a kitchen, a workshop, or some such place having many knives of the same type. For a particular use, one will be relying more on a specific one. And, because of this, it could get used more often, fortifying its position as an apt knife for a particular need. In some time, each piece of implement shall acquire certain peculiarity of its own, which incidentally can be noticed in its rate of wear or the frequency of replacement. When a necessity arrives, the chosen knife, or any other implement, shall be the one, where the particular peculiarity is apt for the current need.
Things are a little more clear when we deal with more complex objects. Think about putting to use, a machine, an instrument, or some other expedient. Say, a mechanism to pump water.
As we install it, we shall be learning of many requirements necessary to put the particular pumping system to work satisfactorily. Like appropriate fittings, joints, and connectors to fabricate and match various elements of installation, provision of electrical power, incorporation of safety devices, or protection from weather. As a result of which, quite a few devices, systems or equipment shall form a part of this installation. And to this, some more will get added up, as and when we face bottlenecks, both while installing it and during the run-in-period thereafter.
Thinking in a similar manner, each and every living being acquire its nature while growing up in its environment, which, over many generations, the environment being more or less the same, becomes attached permanently. However it is susceptible to changes, domestication, for example. We can say, it is not at all difficult for a living being to be freed of its nature, provided, we feel the need.
How the Machines are Freed of its Nature
Over a period of time, these issues shall be getting sorted out, which shall be rendering many of the elements that have become a part of the installation, redundant. What normally happens in a well run case is that we would strive to utilize some of these redundancies, sometimes as spares, sometimes for improvisation, or for selling as scrap. However, when the machine undergoes a planned overhaul, we discard all these and bring the machine to its specified consistency. This in fact is the main purpose behind an overhaul, which is an essential part of all such systems.
How do Humans Acquire a Nature
Something similar is true, in the case of human race too. In our long journey, which we now imagine as one from the state of a primate-like being to the relatively civilized ones of today, human race must have added quite a few particularities, whether of lifestyle, of behaviour, of ambition, or of outlook. (Even if it began with an intelligent design, situation need not be much different) We continue to cling on to these, though none are relevant, and quite a few are rather dangerous, as far as the needs, desirability, and the appropriate living style for our current environment goes. But, quite non-intuitively we have been hanging on to these. Labelling these as the unquestionable elements of human nature, we make it rather everlasting.
In fact each of these elements are snippets of whatever was the current events of significance, some time in the past. These would have been serving an actual purpose then. And later, even after getting replaced, these continue to remain with the human society, joining a vast kitty of abstractions. And does not leave us, even when situation demands so.
Why we are Never Freed of our Nature
As mentioned, many of these would be the ones that got discarded at opportune moments in the past, when external or internal forces made our forefathers view some part of the current living style as superfluous, inconvenient or dangerous. And remained with the human society, though redundant. But, unlike the way mechanical elements got treated, there was never a planned attempt to identify and eliminate the redundancies of life. On the contrary, later generations started holding these in very high esteem.
In fact it is worth noting here, how, while dealing with machines, the full range and power of human intelligence always come to fore. We very well know, everywhere, some form of routine repair is necessary, at intervals based on the conditions and circumstances of use. Note also, how we take pride in our ability for identifying the cardinal as well as for overlooking the insignificant. But all these are missing, when we deal with our own fortune!