New perspectives in the debate about human nature

Abstract

In a previous article, entitled Philosophy of Human Nature, I have stated my criticism against the denial of human nature, against their complet naturalization and against its complete artificialization. Here I will give a brief summary of these arguments (section 1). Then I will try to deepen the criticism in dialogue with several contemporary authors who shape a crucial change in the current perspectives on human nature (section 2). Taken together, these authors present a lucid review of the radical naturalism. They suggest as well a new and more accurate theory of human nature. I will focus especially on the contributions of Thomas Nagel, because I believe that he lays the foundation for a possible constructive interchange on human nature between theistic and non theistic positions (section 3). This dialogue should be oriented, as I argue in the concluding section, by the guidelines of a critical common sense.

Keywords

• naturalismo radical, materialismo, naturalismo moderado, antropotecnia, sentido común.