Human Nature: Biological, Behavioral, and Cultural Foundations

Human Nature: Biological, Behavioral, and Social Dimensions

Biological and Anatomical Differences

The genetic and biochemical differences among humans are not very significant, unlike the anatomical ones. These anatomical distinctions include the lower teeth and jaw, the precise hand and thumb complex, bipedal upright posture, and advanced brain development.

Behavioral Distinctions

Human behavior is characterized by several unique capacities:

• Capable of life in symbolization.
• Understanding reality.
• Awareness of the body.
• An inherent sense of openness to the world.
• Free will.
• Capacity for conclusion.
• Introspection.
• Ability to imagine and reason.

Socialization Processes

An individual internalizes the culture of the society in which they live through various socialization processes:

Primary Socialization

This process aims to introduce the individual into society and primarily develops within the family during childhood. Individuals internalize rules through a progressive generalization process, which carries a significant emotional burden.

Secondary Socialization

In this stage, individuals internalize institutional worlds that may contrast with the foundational world acquired during primary socialization. They gain the ability to choose the social sector to which they wish to belong. This process has an affective component, and specialized, complex teaching techniques reinforce specific knowledge. Crises may occur during this maturation process.

Resocialization

Resocialization involves the internalization of cultural content from a society different from the one in which the individual was initially socialized. This process implies a dismantling of the subject's previous view of reality and a new, strongly affective identification. Deep crises often accompany resocialization.

Cultural Perspectives

Ethnocentrism

Ethnocentrism involves analyzing other cultures from one's own perspective, making it the sole measure to assess all other cultures. This can lead to radicalization, a lack of understanding, and a diminished sense of cohesion, manifesting as xenophobia, racism, chauvinism, or aporophobia.

Cultural Relativism

Cultural relativism proposes analyzing different cultures from their own intrinsic values, not from an external or alien perspective. However, risks associated with this approach include: fostering racism, promoting the separation of cultures, leading to romanticization, and potentially causing cultural paralysis.

Interculturalism

Interculturalism advocates for respect and equality between different cultures, fostering mutual understanding and interaction on an equal footing.

Theories of Brain and Mind

Monistic Theories

• Physicalist Materialism (J. Ferrater Mora / P. Feyerabend)
• Cybernetic Materialism (A. Turing)
• Emergentist Materialism (M. Bunge)

Dualistic Theories

• Platonic Dualism
• Hylemorphism (Aristotle / St. Thomas Aquinas)
• Cartesian Dualism (R. Descartes)
• Interactionist Dualism (J. C. Eccles)

Pluralistic Theories

• Emergentist Interactionism (K. R. Popper)
• Structuralism (P. Laín Entralgo)