ASTK12157U Human nature and Political Science

In recent decades, the scientific understanding of the biological and psychological features of human behavior and action have come to play a prominent role in accounts of political events, institutions, and practices. More generally, we can say that there has been a growing interest in political science in the understanding of 'human nature' that comes out of the life sciences. But precisely what 'human nature' is, and the extent to which we can understand it as a cause of human behavior and action rooted in the 'innate' biological and psychological characteristics of the species, are matters of much disagreement.

While considerations of these questions in relation to political science usually focus on the scientific validity of claims made concerning the influence of biological and psychological factors on human behavior and action, or on the empirical success of the life sciences in explaining and predicting political phenomena, in this course a different approach is taken. Before turning to the impact of recent developments in disciplines such as evolutionary biology, genetics, and neuroscience on political science, the course first concentrates on conceptualizations and critical understandings of 'human nature' in the history of political thought. The emphasis in this part of the course is on how considerations of human nature have always been informed by various perspectives on the character of authority, rule, and political community.

Critical views of human nature developed in a reading of key thinkers in the history of political thought are then applied in the second-half. The objective of this part of the course is not to dismiss the claim that the life sciences may provide important insights for the student of politics. It is rather to encourage a critical attitude towards the way in which 'human nature' and concepts associated with claims about human nature developed in the life sciences – such as 'behaviour', 'action', and 'rationality' – are applied in political science.

At the same time, students are encouraged to explore the political and social context and consequences of these claims about human nature.           

The course is structured as follows.

Part One: Human Nature and Political Theory

1. Human nature in the polis: Plato and Aristotle
2. The Christian tradition: Augustine and Aquinas
3. A science of human nature: Hobbes and Hume
4. Freedom, will, and reason: Kant and Hegel
5. Power, politics, and human nature: Nietzsche and Arendt

Part Two: Political Science and the Life Sciences

1. Darwinism and Politics
2. Sociobiology and Evolutionary Psychology
3. Rationality and Irrationality
4. Neuroscience and politics
5. Biotechnology and post-humanism