Abstract
This paper reviews and analyzes two particular works from American naturalist writer Jack London who focuses on the weakness, vulnerability and impermanence of human beings, juxtaposed against the strength, power and permanence of nature. This paper details the author's use of nature in his short stories, "The Law of Life" and "To Build a Fire." This paper details the common threads in both stories which include the laws and cycles of nature, the power of nature and human beings' fundamental vulnerability to nature's strength and permanence. This paper describes how in both works of writing, London creates nature, in particular the Arctic cold and snow, as a sort of character in and of itself, with which human beings are forced to interact, based on their being forced to respect nature's own power. This paper also contains various portions of text from both works of writing.

From the Paper
"Within "To build a Fire", then London implies that an animal's instincts, unimpeded by the prideful stubbornness of humans, are superior to those of humans. Animals, for instance, know that they cannot control nature; therefore, they respect it. Humans, on the other hand, having learned to control a great deal of their natural environment and have, therefore lost their fear of all natural environments. Animals like the husky of this story wisely and instinctively respect the power, mystery, and fickleness of nature; people such as the hiker sometimes do not, to their detriment. Because humans adapt to environments, the man attempting in vain to build a fire believes he can adapt himself even to this one, that he will be, somehow, invincible against the freezing temperature."

Tags:literature, nature, analysis, comparison

Abstract
The writer of this well-researched paper defines human nature as the full scale of human behavior that is believed to remain constant for long periods in time and does not differ in the context of the various cultures that are seen in the world. This paper examines various theories on human nature, in which each possesses a distinctive view on the subject, including that of Plato. According to Plato, there is an intellectual soul that is resident in the brain of an individual. This paper analyzes the topic of human nature by focusing on the opinions and theories of Thomas Hobbes and David Hume. Thomas Hobbes is considered one of the individuals responsible for the transition from the medieval way of thinking to the modern thought process in Great Britain. This paper touches on Hobbes' book "Leviathan" and his views on human nature which are very clear. Hobbes' conception of human nature is a mechanistic one. Hobbes contends that the study of the movements of the physical bodies would prove to be enough in explaining all that goes on in the universe. Hume's approach to human nature differs from that of Hobbes. Hume contends that we, as humans, can only make inferences on what would happen in the future by what we have experienced in the past. The writer contends that Hume progresses from there to say that we would be incorrect to believe that this knowledge and experience of the past is enough to justify what would happen in the future.

Table of Contents:
Hobbes
Limitations in Hobbes' View of Human Nature
Hume
Ethics of Reciprocity
References

From the Paper
"There have been several theories that have been put forward on human nature and each of them possesses a distinctive view on human nature. The earliest views on human nature of substance come from Plato, whose thoughts on life were influenced by Socrates. In the view of Plato there is an intellectual soul that is resident in the brain of an individual and an appetitive beast that is to be found in the belly and genitals of the individual. The role of the former was in keeping the latter in check and over a period of time escape from this uncomfortable cohabitation by welcoming death. This dualist theory of Plato did have immense on the thoughts on human nature and that time and this influence can be seen in Christian theology with the Gospel of John. The extension of these beliefs of Plato on human nature had their influence on Descartes and led him to formulate the theory that man is made up of a soul that thinks and a body that is an extension of it."

Tags:nature, humanities, plato, socrates, ethics, leviathan, philosophy

Abstract
This essay discusses the relationship between nature and man that is exhibited in many great works of poetry. The essay examines the works of six authors: Edward Thomas, Robert Frost, Wallace Stevens, Allen Tate, W.S. Merwin and Robert Graves. The essay outlines the ways in which each of the author's works touches on a disturbing aspect of life that is either directly or indirectly associated with nature. The essay argues that man is inextricably connected with nature and that the authors use images in nature to express their thoughts and feelings. Further, the paper argues that poetry allows the reader to see the relationship between man and nature more clearly.

From the Paper
"In Allen Tate's terza rima poem, "The Swimmers," nature becomes an integral aspect of the poet's experience in that it enables him to retain memory. This poem is a recollection of a tragic and powerful moment on the poet's life and the power of nature is illustrated in how the poet attaches certain elements of his experience with nature. These images help set the scene for the poet's experience as a young boy. There are moments to savor and anticipate, as summer is almost always associated with fun and freedom."

Tags:nature, modern poetry, poetic imagery

Abstract
This paper explains Confucius' positive view of human nature by which all people need guidance to learn the joy of ren or love in moral purpose/service. The paper compares this to the cultivation of Buddha Nature that Confucius would have seen as quite asocial, selfish and not in keeping with his humanist dynamic of helping to create a better society that fit with the cosmos.

From the Paper
"The contrast that is found between Confucian ideas of human nature and the Buddhist concept of `Buddha nature' has to do with very old Chinese debates on the basic nature of the person. For Confucius, human beings were basically good. They needed direction and might need to be corrected. The bad person was someone that had not had the right training for life, so that he or she had not learned to maintain a good approach to others. The bad person could not see society or the..."

Tags:confucius, human nature, buddha nature

Abstract
The paper shows how human nature is a concept explored in both Buddhism and Confucianism, as the Chinese believe it is related to our ultimate spiritual destiny, and Buddhists believes human nature to be the very essence of Buddha nature. The paper discusses how both philosophies find human nature to be flawed, but that these imperfections can be redeemed through self-awareness and enlightenment.

From the Paper
"Human nature is a concept explored in both Buddhism and Confucianism, as the Chinese believe it is related to our ultimate spiritual destiny, and Buddhists believes human nature to be the very essence of Buddha nature."

Tags:confucianism, buddhism, nature

Abstract
The paper looks at how the article, "In the Beginning, Nature" explains the natural world and the many perceptions given by theorists and scientists through various essays. The paper shows how the article explains nature in terms of sex and concludes with political factors and changing claims of human nature.

From the Paper
"The article, "In the Beginning, Nature" explains the natural world and the many perceptions given by theorists and scientists through various essays. According to the article, "most cultures have located these events [mysteries of life and death] outside the body, in relation to `the wider cosmos: planets, stars, mountains, rivers, spirits and ancestors, gods and demons, the heavens and the underworld" (35). Yet the article, begins with nature and its perception, continues explaining nature in terms of sex and concludes with political factors through changing claims of human nature. Researches seem to reinforce that "life is a property of the body: a force...""

Tags:culture, sexuality, nature

Abstract
The paper relates that nature vs. nurture has been a debated question since the writings of Plato. The paper discusses how many philosophers believe that the age old question of nature vs. nurture goes back as far as Greek mythology when the Greeks god gave man divinity. The paper relates that of course, man being man he started challenging the gods and out of fear the gods decided to deprive man of might which would allow he to function in the realm of divinity. The paper asserts that nature vs. nurture is the ultimate journey of man searching for might and one of the fiercest battles man faces is within himself with his personality (Ateel, 2008).

From the Paper
"Nature vs. nurture has been a debated question since the writings of Plato. Many philosophers believe that the age old question of nature vs. nurture goes back as far as Greek Mythology when the Greeks god gave man divinity. Of course, man being man he started challenging the gods and out of fear the gods decided to deprive man of might which would allow he to function in the realm of divinity. The gods hide might within man himself. Nature vs. nurture is the ultimate journey of man searching for might. One of the fiercest battles man faces is within himself with his personality (Ateel, 2008)."

Tags:nature, nurture, behavior

Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the outlooks of two Chinese philosophers on human nature. First, the paper examines Mencius, who adhered most to Confucian thinking and viewed human nature as intrinsically good with its opposites often created by circumstances. In comparison, Xunzi argued that human nature was intrinsically bad, prone to temptation and corruption so that social rituals became important and encouraging ideals of self improvement which some people would take up.

From the Paper
"The views of Mencius and Xunzi show that both belonged to the same Chinese civilization as men to draw from the ideas of Confucius (551-479 BC). They deviated in different ways from Confucian thought and strongly in their approaches to human nature as a topic that has interested various scholars, it would seem, over time. (Dubs 1956, Hwang 1979) Mencius saw the individual person as fundamentally good, in contrast with Xunzi's view of human nature as bad and in need of care and correction. This paper addresses the contrasting approaches of Mencius and Xunzi and then the..."

Tags:mencius, xunzi, human nature

Abstract
The paper explores this concept of nature as being a divine revealing agent in the poem "Tintern Abbey". The paper then discusses how nature is embodied in the symbols of wind and storm in "Wuthering Heights." The paper compares both works as a representation of nature being concerned with the spiritual dimension.

From the Paper
"The Romantics regarded Nature as a carrier of elevated, enlightening, mystical meanings. They granted Nature a dimension beyond material existence, capable of transcending the souls of human beings and imparting essential revelations as well as spiritual restoration and tranquility. This can be observed in the poem Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth. A variation from the typical Romantic view of Nature is found in Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. In the later work, Nature is regarded not as an inspirer of peace, tranquility and meditation, but of wild, ghostly, eerie, and mysterious messages."

Tags:literature romanticism, emily bronte, william wordsworth, nature poems

Abstract
This paper, written from the writer's personal point of view, examines the centuries old debate of nature vs. nurture by focusing on 4-year-old fraternal twins. The writer of this paper defines nature as things that are genetically inherent in certain people. Nurture is referred mainly to the care given to children by their parents, any environmental, not genetic, factor as well as one's childhood friends, one's early experiences with television and one's experience in the womb. This paper details the various results attained by the research done on the twins. The writer cites the differences and similarities in the twins which were observed. The writer contends that the nature vs. nurture debate looks into why people are different and seems to assume that those differences can make people more or less desirable.

From the Paper
"The nature versus nurture debate looks into why people are different and seems to assume that those differences can make people more or less desirable. One example is intelligence. The assumption appears to be that having an extremely intelligent child is better than having a child of average or below-average intelligence. However, intelligence is only one characteristic of a person. The less intelligent child may be much kinder, funnier, outgoing, and altruistic than the more intelligent child. Instead of looking into why people are different, nature or nurture, I think I will concentrate on celebrating the diversity that exists in humanity, whether there by nature or nurture. While both twins were extremely different, I cannot say that either one was better than the other one."

Tags:research, twins, nature, nurture, care, personality, trait, fraternal, identical, study