Human Nature
Views from Major World Religions

Last Revised: August 2007

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Overview

• Choi, H. (2001). Knowledge of the unseen: A new vision for science and religion dialogue. Perspectives on Science and Christian Faith, 53(2), 96-101. Retrieved August 2007, from http://www.asa3.org/asa/PSCF/2001/PSCF6-01Choi.html
• Eklof, T. (2004, March 21). Human being: Why are we here? Morning Message. Louisville, KY: Clifton Unitarian Church. Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.cliftonunitarian.com/toddstalks/humanbeing.htm
• George, R. (1999, August/September). A clash of orthodoxies. First Things, 95, 33-40. Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.firstthings.com/article.php3?id_article=3195
• Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Religious scripture. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStarrlgall.rtf
• Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge. (2005). The human journey. Retrieved May 2006, http://ishkbooks.com/human_nature.html
• Iqbal, M. (1999). The philosophical tests of the revelations of religious experience (Chapter 2). The Reconstruction of Religious Thought in Islam. Chicago, IL: Kazi Publications. Retrieved August 2005, from http://www.witness-pioneer.org/vil/Books/MI_RRTI/chapter_02.htm
• Laughlin, P. (2006). Syllabus: Human nature in world religions and philosophies. Westerville, OH: Otterbein College, Integrative Studies. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.otterbein.edu/dept/INST/syllabi/Summer06/380-01_Laughlin_063.pdf
• Newman, E. (1997). Theology and science without dualism. CTNS Bulletin, 17(1). Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.crosscurrents.org/newman.htm
• Philips, B. (2006, March 12). The purpose of creation: An introduction. The Religion of Islam. Rawda, Saudi Arabia: The Cooperative Office of Dawah.  Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.islamreligion.com/articles/194/viewall/
• Religionfacts. (2004). The big religion chart. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/big_religion_chart.htm
• Stevenson, L. (1999). The study of human nature: A reader (2nd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. [Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195127153/ref=pd_sim_b_1/104-9743065-2401505?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=283155]
• Stevenson, L., & Haberman, D. (1998). Ten theories of human nature (3rd ed.). New York: Oxford University Press. [Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0195120418/104-9743065-2401505?v=glance&n=283155]
• Valea, E. (2005). The human condition in world religions. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.comparativereligion.com/man.html
• Wikipedia. (2006). Human. Retrieved May 2006, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human
• Wright, R. (2001). The way we were [Chapter excerpt]. Nonzero: The logic of human destiny. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.nonzero.org/chap2.htm
• Wilson, A. (Ed.). (1991). Degraded human nature. World scripture: A comparative anthology of sacred texts. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.unification.net/ws/theme056.htm

Traditional/Indigenous Religions

• North American
  • Brulatour, M. (1999). The Native American perception of environmental responsibility. Heaven on Earth: Is the Legacy of 19th Century Transcendentalism an Ecumenical Philosophy of Nature? Retrieved May 2005, from http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/roots/legacy/nat.html
  • Cattey, M. (1980). Cultural differences in processing information. Journal of American Indian Education, 20(1). Retrieved May 2005, from http://jaie.asu.edu/v20/V20S1cul.html
  • Lyon, W. (2005). Spirit talkers: North American Indian medicine powers (Chapter summaries). Retrieved May 2006, from http://wmslyon.com/index.html
  • Saskatchewan Education. (2002). Native studies: A curriculum guide for grade 10: Societal structures of Indian, Métis, and Inuit peoples. Regina, SK: Saskatchewan Education. Retrieved May 2005, from http://www.sasked.gov.sk.ca/docs/native10/index.html
  • Wiget, A. (n.d.). A talk concerning first beginnings: Teaching Native American oral literature. Electronic Archives for Teaching the American Literatures. Retrieved May 2005, from http://www.georgetown.edu/tamlit/essays/native_am.html
• Aztec
  • Grünschloß, A. (2002). Aztec religion and nature. Encyclopedia of Religion and Nature. Retrieved May 2005, from http://wwwuser.gwdg.de/~agruens/aztec/relignat.html
  • Maffie, J. (2006). Aztec philosophy. The Internet Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.iep.utm.edu/a/aztec.htm
• Inca
  • Sullivan, W. (1997). Secret of the Incas. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.robertschoch.net/Secret%20of%20the%20Incas.htm
• Mayan
  • Anonymous. (2000). What information do the Mayan calendar systems tell the modern human race? Retrieved May 2006, from http://clearwisdom.net/eng/2000/mar/12/science_mayan031200.html
  • Lungold, I. X. (2004). An overview of the Mayan calendar. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.mayanmajix.com/art024.html
• African
  • Ryszard, P. (1996). Proverbs of Africa: Human nature in the Nigerian oral tradition: An exposition and analysis of 2,600 proverbs from 64 peoples. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. [Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1885118015/104-9743065-2401505?v=glance&n=283155]
• Wiccan
  • Herne. (1998). What is Wicca? Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.stuorg.iastate.edu/pagan/Articles/WhatWicca1.pdf

Eastern/Asian Religions

• Samkhya
  • Govindan, M. (2003). Understanding the Yoga-Sutras of Patanjali Kaivalyam: Absolute freedom. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.babaji.ca/NewSite/art_22.htm
  • Saraswati, N. (1999). Yoga and total health. Yoga Magazine. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.yogamag.net/archives/1999/1jan99/total.shtml
• Hinduism/Brahamism
  • Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Hinduism. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStar_Hindu.pdf
  • St. Ziêba.. M. (2004). How does Hinduism view human nature? Retrieved May 2006, from http://experts.about.com/q/Philosophy-1361/Hinduism.htm
  • Vivekananda. (1893). Hinduism: A brief sketch. Paper read at the World’s Parliament of Religions, Chicago, September 19. Retrieved May 2006, http://www.hinduism.co.za/hinduism1.htm
  • Hindu philosophy. 2005). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_philosophy
  • Jnaneshvara, Swami (n.d.). The joy of traditional Yoga meditation, contemplation, and devotion. Retrieved August 2007, from http://www.swamij.com/index.htm
• Buddhist
  • Brulatour, M. (1999). The Buddhist perception of environmental responsibility. Heaven on Earth: Is the Legacy of 19th Century Transcendentalism an Ecumenical Philosophy of Nature? Retrieved May 2005, from http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/roots/legacy/bud.html
  • Buddhist philosophy. (2005). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddhist_philosophy
  • Hayes, R. (1998). Buddhist philosophy: Human nature. In E. Craig (Ed.), Routledge Encyclopedia of Philosophy. London: Routledge. Retrieved May 19, 2006, from http://www.rep.routledge.com/article/F001SECT1
  • Herold, K. (2005). A Buddhist model for the informational person. Revision of paper delivered at the Second Asia Pacific Computing and Philosophy Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, January 7-9. Retrieved September 2005, from http://library1.hamilton.edu/eresrs/AP-CAP2005-Herold.pdf
  • Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Buddhism. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStar_Buddhism.pdf
  • Kohl, C. (2006). Buddhism and quantum physics: A strange parallel of two concepts of reality. Retrieved May 2007, from  http://www.boloji.com/buddhism/00119.htm
  • Kukula, J. (2001). Toward a Buddhist philosophy of science. Retrieved September 2005, from http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Atrium/8240/
  • Religionfacts. (2004). Buddhist views of human nature. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/buddhism/beliefs/human.htm
  • Payutto, P. A. (1994). The Buddhist view of human nature [Chapter 2]. Buddhist economics: A middle way in the marketplace. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.geocities.com/athens/academy/9280/econ2.htm
  • Yu-Hsi, C. (2003, November 1). The Buddhist perception of humility. Taiwan, Fo Guang University, Department of Religious Studies. Retrieved November 2006, from http://meaning.ca/archives/archive/art_buddhist-humility_C_Yu_Hsi.htm
• Confucianism
  • Chan, C. W. (1996). Good and evil in Chinese philosophy. The Philosopher, LXXXIV. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.the-philosopher.co.uk/good&evil.htm
  • Fu, P. Human nature and human education: On human nature as tending toward goodness in classical Confuciansim [Chapter II]. In G. McLean (Ed.), Chinese foundations for moral education and character development. Taipei, Taiwan; National University. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.crvp.org/book/Series03/III-2/chapter_ii_human_nature_and_huma.htm
  • Matthews, B. (1999). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Confucianism/Taoism. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStar_Confuc_Tao.pdf
  • Microsoft® Encarta® Online Encyclopedia> (2006). Confucianism. Retrieved May 2006, from http://encarta.msn.com/text_761553693___0/Confucianism.html
  • Religionfacts. (2004). Confucianism. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/confucianism.htm
• Taoism/Daoism
  • Capra, F. (1991). Taoism. The Tao of physics: The way of eastern mysticism (125-130). Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.uni-giessen.de/~gk1415/taoism.htm
  • Matthews, B. (compiler). (1999). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Confucianism/Taoism. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStar_Confuc_Tao.pdf
  • Yu-Hsi, C. (2004, January 2). Contentment as the way of nature: Insights from Taoism. Taiwan:  Fo Guang University, Department of Religious Studies. Retrieved November 2006, from http://www.meaning.ca/articles04/yu-hsi-contentment.htm
  • Religionfacts. (2005). Taoist beliefs. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/taoism/beliefs.htm
• Shinto
  • Religionfacts. (2005). Shinto. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/a-z-religion-index/shinto.htm
  • Watt. P. (1982, Fall). Shintô. Article adapted from FOCUS, issue on Asian Religions. Retrieved May 2006, from http://afe.easia.columbia.edu/japan/japanworkbook/religion/shinto.htm

Middle Eastern/Abrahamic Religions

• Judaism
  • Brulatour, M. (1999). The Jewish perception of environmental responsibility. Heaven on Earth: Is the Legacy of 19th Century Transcendentalism an Ecumenical Philosophy of Nature? Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/roots/legacy/jud.html
  • Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Judaism. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStar_Judaism.pdf
  • Peterson, M. (2003). Human nature. Jewish Theological Essays. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.itctel.com/mnmp/jewishstudies/JTHumanNature.htm
  • Jewish philosophy. (2005). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_philosophy
  • Religionfacts. (2004). Human nature. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/judaism/beliefs/human.htm
  • Rich, T. (2001). Human nature. Judaism 101. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.jewfaq.org/human.htm
• Christianity
  • Basden, A. (2001). Christian philosophy and information systems. Paper presented to the Institute for Christian Studies, Toronto, October. Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.basden.u-net.com/R/cpis/cpis.html
  • Brulatour, M. (1999). The Christian perception of environmental responsibility. Heaven on Earth: Is the Legacy of 19th Century Transcendentalism an Ecumenical Philosophy of Nature? Retrieved May 2005, from http://www.vcu.edu/engweb/transcendentalism/roots/legacy/chr.html
  • Christian philosophy. (2005). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_philosophy
  • Closson, D. (2002). Human nature. Probe Ministries. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.leaderu.com/orgs/probe/docs/humnat.html
  • D'Soussa, K., & Gommes, J. (n.d.). Christian faith: Christian definition of true reality. The Global Oneness Commitment. Retrieved May 2007, from http://www.experiencefestival.com/a/ChristianFaith/id/50216
  • Haag, J. (2005, July 12). From cells to souls--and beyond: Changing portraits of human nature [Book reviews]. Christian Century. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1058/is_14_122/ai_n14858635
  • Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Christianity. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilstarChristianity.doc
  • Plantiga, A. (1994). Christian philosophy at the end of the 20th century. Retrieved September 2005, from http://www.calvin.edu/academic/philosophy/virtual_library/articles/plantinga_alvin/christian_philosophy_at_the_end_of_the_20th_century.pdf
  • Religionfacts. (2004). Christian beliefs about human nature. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/christianity/beliefs/human.htm
• Islam
  • Aziz, T. M. (1999). The meaning of history: An Islamic perspective. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Cyprus/8613/history.html
  • Elnaggar, M. (2005). Islam and the human being. The Muslim Individual. Retrieved August 2006, from http://islamonline.net/english/introducingislam/Individual/article07.shtml
  • Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming a Brilliant Star: Islam. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStar_Islam.pdf
  • Islamic philosophy. (2005). Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Retrieved June 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_philosophy
  • McLean, G. (2000). Mulla Sadra's Islamic philosophy of existence: Islamic and Christian contributions [chapter 5]. Faith, reason and philosophy. Washington, DC: The Council for Research in Values and Philosophy. Retrieved June 2005, from http://www.crvp.org/book/Series01/I-20/chapter_v.htm
  • Philips, A. A. B. (1997). The purpose of creation (Rev. ed.). Emirate of Sharjah, UAE: Dar al Fatah. Retrieved September 2005, from http://www.bilalphilips.com/books/purps01a.htm
  • Religionfacts. (2005). Muslim beliefs about human nature. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/islam/beliefs/human.htm
  • Sharif, M. M. (Ed.). (1961). A history of Muslim philosophy. Lahore: Pakistan Philosophical Congress. Retrieved June 2005, from http://www.muslimphilosophy.com/hmp/default.htm
• Bahá’í
  • Hatcher, W. (1987). Human nature and human society. A Bahá’í viewpoint. The Bahá’í Faith and Marxism. Ottawa: Bahá’í Studies Publications. Retrieved August 2006, from http://bahai-library.com/?file=hatcher_human_nature_society
  • Huitt, W. (Compiler). (2001). Becoming A Brilliant Star: Attributes, Values, and Virtues: Selections from the Bahá’í writings. Educational Psychology Interactive. Retrieved May 2006, from http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/brilstar/quotes/BrilStaravv52.doc
  • Kluge, I. (2003). Process philosophy and the Bahá’í writings: An initial exploration. Retrieved June 2005, from http://micware.nl/bs/index.php?name=UpDownload&req=getit&lid=107
  • Kluge, I. (n.d.). Bahá’í ontology: An initial reconnaissance. Retrieved June 2005, from  http://www.geocities.com/iankluge/ontology_complete.html
  • Kluge, I. (2005). Further explorations in Bahá’í ontology. Presentation at the Irfan Colloquium, Bosch Bahá’í School, May 26-30. Retrieved June 2005, from http://www.geocities.com/iankluge/ontology2.html
  • National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's of the United States. (1991). The vision of race unity: America's most challenging issue. Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing Trust. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.lvbahai.org/vision_of_race_unity.htm
  • National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'i's of the United States. (1997). Two wings of a bird: The equality of men and women. Wilmette, IL: Baha'i Publishing Trust. Retrieved August 2006, from http://www.lvbahai.org/twowings.htm
  • Religionfacts. (2005). Bahá'í beliefs about human nature and the soul. Retrieved May 2006, from http://www.religionfacts.com/bahai/beliefs/human_nature.htm

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