Nature Vs. Nurture Essay

Introduction

The nature and nurture controversy is an old dilemma among philosophers, educators and psychologists and other interested individuals that have not reached a consensus. This debate tries to examine the impact of inherited genes, and the role played by our environment in determining "who we are." Nature is the set of traits that we inherit from our parents at birth which can influence our social interactions, physical maturity, personality and intellectual capacity while nurture encompasses the impact of our environment on our mental ability, character, social interactions and physical maturity (Russo, 2008). Although the two aspects portray attributes of complementarity in human development, I believe that nurture outweighs nature in human development based on human violence, sexual orientation, leadership, the disparity in identical twins.

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In my position, nature forms the basis for human development or instead who we are, while it is the experience that we encounter in our life that determines and make us who we are. According to the grand British philosopher, John Locke, at birth infant do not have knowledge and skills that they later portray in life (Steen, 1996). The philosopher believes that it is an experience that they receive from interacting with the environment that determines their interaction and personality. Furthermore, he thinks that it is the stimulation that people get from education and experiences that define who they become. On the other hand, he acknowledges that nature is essential in human development through the environment can challenge nature of an individual and causing changes in their behavior. According to Locke, children learn by through whatever they experience. For instance, a kid raised up by loving and caring parents is most likely to grow up with same characteristics of love and care. Contrary, a kid raised in a family where there are little love, family violence, and drug misuse, it is more likely these characteristics will be carried into the future (Steen, 1996). Therefore, the environment we live in determines our personality and sociality.

What makes one a serial killer? Is it the interaction between one's environment or genetic composition? This is another scenario that best explains the role of nurture in human development. A report by a former Federal Bureau Investigation officer, John Douglas, shows that serial killers share common aspects that lead them to violence (Russo, 2008). Douglas outlines dysfunctional background as the primary factor that induces serial killing which is characterized by alcohol and drug abuse, overbearing parents, physical abuse or sexual abuse. He gives an example of Ed Kemper who was a serial killer at the age of 15 years. This kid was condemned by his mother in the basement since the mother feared he would molest his sister who was just four years, although he had not shown any signs. Kemper lived alone, confused and angry for his mother and at the age of 15 years, he started criminal behavior and killed his two grandparents. Looking at the scenario, we can see that the exposure Kemper had while locked in the basement is what made him who he is. Contrary, what would have happened to him if loving parents raised him? Are there murder genes? I believe that there are no murder genes and every human have the same capacity to kill. It is only the exposure and the interaction that we have that create the killing feeling in humans.

Leadership involves some characteristics that many human beings pose that have a wide range of variations among humans. Is leadership quality heredity or shaped by the environment? Leadership involves how people act, how they make decisions, how they interact and collaborate with others, how they respect and inspire others (Wilkins, 2001). Some philosopher argues that some leaders are born with leadership characteristics and aggressiveness. However, I tend to contest that leadership skill are earned through interaction with other and exposure to different environments. Looking at Adolf Hitler leadership case? Was his personality based on genetics or environment? Having customarily been born, Hitler personality can be traced to his encounter with the political environment but not the genetic composition. Another case is where a leader (A Minister) in a booming sector in the economy is transferred to another industry, and the sector performance fails to improve. Does this show incompetence of the leader? It is the environment at the workplace, the culture and the policies of the workplace that influence the performance of the leadership. However, if we can attribute the performance of a sector to the leadership genes of the leader, then it would mean the industry would automatically flourish. Therefore, leadership traits are formed through education that offers knowledge and skills and the experience obtained in the line of duty.

Regarding social orientation of humans, we can just identify the role played by the environment in developing who we are in life. Is anyone born homosexual? Is anyone born a prostitute? I believe there are no genes that influence these human behaviors. At birth, every child had no exposure to sexuality and based on the care, and guidance kids receive from their parents and community they grow in, their sexual orientation is defined. In this case, genetics plays a role in inducing maturity but does not determine sexual orientation (Wilkins, 2001). It is the environment that influences these behaviors, for instance, the death of parents when a kid is young may expose a girl to alcohol and drugs which may lead to prostitution.

What causes disparity in personality among twins born from the same mother? Twins either identical or not show some differences in their taste and preference, education performance and appreciation for nature yet they shared same genetic composition (Wilkins, 2001). This variation can be attributed to exposure and response to the environment, not the genetic makeup.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I tend to believe that nurture plays a more prominent role in who we are than nature. Leadership, sexual orientation, personality and violence among others are all influenced by upbringing.

References

Russo, J. M. (2008). Nature Versus Nurture. Encyclopedia of Special Education. doi:10.1002/9780470373699.speced1455

Steen, R. G. (1996). The Old Nature versus Nurture Debate. DNA and Destiny, 21-32. doi:10.1007/978-1-4899-2768-2_2

Wilkins, A. S. (2001). Does gene number really settle the nature versus nurture debate? Bioassay, 23(7), 561-562. doi:10.1002/bies.1080