The Nature of "Human Nature"

After watching a video on Gilgamesh and answering questions, we had a very thoughtful and wide-ranging critical conversation about the purpose of history, the nature of mortality and its effects on how we think about history and life, and even how we and various groups throughout history have defined what it means to be human and to engage in a narrative about history. We previewed some ideas from Aristotle (4th century Greek) and Thomas Hobbes, John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau (16th-18th Century English and French thinkers) and then connected them to some of these "big" questions. Well done on exploring the WHY behind all of these facts and using history to enrich and explore questions that thinkers have been exploring throughout history -- and that we still have today. So, the question for tonight related very much to our conversation today: Are we 1) "blank slates" when we are born with the potential to develop into moral or immoral individuals (part of Julia and Pen's argument), or 2) are we born inherently innocent (part of Pearl's position) and fated to become more immoral as we grow older, or 3) are we born only concerned about self-interest and naturally inclined to live in war against all for our own survival and success? (part of Sam's statements) Clearly, we don't expect you to solve such a BIG question and it is very difficult, but, given your discussion today, we know that you are fully ready to offer some short reflection on these ideas. In short, what do you believe about "human nature"? Please respond in 7-10 thoughtful sentences and explain why you believe what you do.