man versus nature essays

man versus nature essays So God created man in His own image And God saw every thing that He had made, And, behold, it was very good. From the beginning of time, writers and philosophers alike have been setting Man apart from beast, but what is it that makes this partition factual? It is widely believed that Man, by nature, has the capability of consciously contemplating a situation and determining whether the outcome is right or wrong, that Man reacts to a situation by ruling of outlook rather than stimuli, and that Man has more priorities than self-fulfillment; such as religious obligation, parental duties, and cooperative behavior amongst his own kind through social contract. Though these positive characteristics that separate us from our other earthly inhabitants seem superior, these same characteristics may lead us to our own destruction, as well as that of our own planet. Author Mary Shelley discusses the issue of Mans nature through her greatly renowned novel Frankenstein, in which a knowledge crazed scientist is determined to put himself on the scientific map by creating a human-like creature of enormo us strength but with a less than human state of mind. Another author who approaches this idealistic matter is John Locke, who makes clear of this issue in his Political Writings, particularly in Chapter Two: Of the State of Nature. Through the examination of these well-respected minds as well as my personal experience, it is made clear that certain unique characteristics separate Man from animal. As one observes a pet, it is obvious that there are tremendous differences between the observer and the animal. My seven-year-old obese beagle, Muggsy, has no value of right and wrong. He holds no respect towards those who supply him with the necessities of living or the requirements of comfort. For example, Muggsy tends to steal objects around the house and refuses to giveback the item. He...