The Debate on Human Nature

This chapter explores the philosophical tension between essentialism and the belief in human malleability, focusing on how these ideas impact identity and social theories such as communism. It examines the historical context of 20th-century atrocities, contrasting Enlightenment ideals with the complexities of human progress and morality. Additionally, it critiques evolutionary Darwinism, highlighting its misappropriation in justifying ideologies of racial superiority and the moral implications of such applications.