Re: nature or nurture ?
Namaste,
I'm very interested in seeing how this thread will go, in the perspective of Sanatana Dharma. The nature vs. nurture debate is one that has been constantly thrown at me when I was in college. The scientific community has long moved on from the argument, not really being sure what to make of it from lack of proof, I guess.
I have nothing really to add that hasn't already been offered by Saidevo and EM. I'm also of the opinion that it's really down to a combination of both. I believe that anyone has potential to be good (or bad), but as nobody can grow up in a vacuum, one's nature is can be influenced by those around him, situations, socio-economic circumstance. In EM's example of a bright student with an unfortunate background - who knows what effects this might have on her when she is older?
Excluding either nature or nurture, or pitching genetics against social upbringing and one's environment is, as usual, a pointless endeavour only serving to widen the rift between those who are more likely to posit nature (naturalists) and those who advocate nurture (behaviourists) as the reason for human nature.
One thing I found about one's 'nature'. It takes the right conditions for it to bloom completely.
Yes, and that's largely my stance on nature, even though I am well aware how powerful a driving force it can be. Good point about habits - they are basically the sum total of our behaviour, and in turn, our very nature.
"Watch your thoughts, they become words.
Watch your words, they become actions.
Watch your actions, they become habits.
Watch your habits, they become your character.
Watch your character, it becomes your destiny."
ॐ गं गणपतये नमः
Om Gam Ganapataye namah
लोकाः समस्ताः सुखिनो भवन्तु ।
Lokaah SamastaaH Sukhino Bhavantu
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