Nature vs. Nurture
This debate deals with the relationship between genetic inheritance and environmental factors and how it affects human development. Philosophers such as Plato and Descartes state that certain things are inborn, or that they simply occur naturally regardless of environmental influences. Conversely, John Locke believed in what is known as tabula rasa, which suggests that the mind begins as a blank slate. According to this notion, everything that we are and all of our knowledge is determined by our experience. Nature and Nurture have been tracked since the early 13th Century in France.
Over the past years scientists have proven that characteristics such as eye color and hair color are determined by specific genes encoded in each human cell. But in the case of the theory of nature it has been said that more abstract qualities such as intelligence, personality, aggression, and sexual orientation are also encoded in an individual's DNA. Any issues in connection with traits or characteristics rely upon the concept of inborn biology. Tests undertaken by the University of Wisconsin have shown that newborns do not have a blank slate but have a set of inherited traits. The study shows that temperaments of an infant are influenced more by biology than that of experience with their siblings.
Nature also determines the kind of motivation and emotions we experience, new emotions are not likely unless there is a change in the genetic makeup. Genes give us certain traits but it is all determined by whether or not we carry out a certain inherited quality and of nurture or environment plays a role in that choice.
While not discounting that genetic tendency may exist, supporters of the nurture theory believe they ultimately don't matter - that our behavioral aspects originate only from the environmental factors of our upbringing. Traditional standards set for us in our environment and family surroundings can also affect a child. The family a child...