Abstract
The Western worldview that now dominates the planet embodies beliefs about human nature that are inconsistent with our evolutionarily evolved natures. Its “logic” at best ignores and at worst creates the symptoms of the modern world, which if uncorrected predict severe crises in coming centuries: population growth, environmental destruction, economic collapse, and increasing social violence. In contrast, there are numerous communities today creating alternative solutions based on different understandings of human nature and human needs: cooperation rather than competition; meaningful social identity; and respect for and trust in the autonomous behavior of all persons. There exist optimistic future models.
Keywords
bonding, future crises, human nature, Western worldview, alternative solutions, social identity
How to Cite
Clark, M., (1998) “Human Nature: What We Need to Know about Ourselves in the Twenty‐First Century”, Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 33(4), 645–659. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/0591-2385.00179