On Human Nature Vocabulary

Our identities are shaped and constrained by others' perceptions

“Sartre's character in No Exit: we are trapped in others' judgments.”

Origin: Jean-Paul Sartre, No Exit (1944)

Society constrains the natural freedom we are born with

“Rousseau's opening to The Social Contract.”

Origin: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, The Social Contract (1762)

Existence depends on being observed or experienced

“Berkeley's idealism: esse est percipi.”

Origin: George Berkeley, A Treatise Concerning the Principles of Human Knowledge (1710)

Humans are naturally inclined to live in communities

“Aristotle's insight: we flourish through connection.”

Origin: Aristotle, Politics

Emotion operates by a logic beyond rational analysis

“Pascal on the limits of pure reason in understanding love and faith.”

Origin: Blaise Pascal, Pensées

Humans are interconnected; no one is truly independent

“Any man's death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind.”

Origin: John Donne, Devotions upon Emergent Occasions (1624)

Most people suppress their dissatisfaction and unfulfilled dreams

“Thoreau's observation on conformity and unexamined living.”

Origin: Henry David Thoreau, Walden (1854)

Surviving hardship increases resilience

“Nietzsche on the transformative power of suffering.”

Origin: Friedrich Nietzsche, Twilight of the Idols (1888)