human nature

/ˌ(h)jumən ˌneɪtʃər/

/ˈhjumən ˈneɪtʃə/

Other forms: human natures

Human nature is everything that's intrinsic to being a person. The way we think, feel, and act are all part of our essential human nature.

The concept of human nature is controversial, because not everyone agrees about which qualities are a fundamental part of being human and which are caused by our genes, environment, and society. Philosophers and scientists have argued about human nature for centuries. Aristotle was convinced that human nature was fixed and unchangeable, while modern thinkers tend to disagree. Artists and writers today continue to explore the idea of mankind's essential characteristics — and what it truly means to be a human being.

Definitions of human nature

1. noun

   the shared psychological attributes of humankind that are assumed to be shared by all human beings
   “a great observer of human nature”

   type of:

   attribute

   an abstraction belonging to or characteristic of an entity