The Traditional
Rationalist View
By: Temi Dadepo & Stephanie Boachie
Explanation of view
Plato explains through rationalism that
there are three main parts of human
nature
 Reason
 Appetite
 Aggression
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Reason
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the main source of knowledge
humans ability to think considerately and rationally
through reason humans discover the truth on how to
live
reason is important because it differentiates us from
other animals
Reason provides self-control  purpose for human
beings
Reason  guides/controls a human’s appetite and
aggression
Example: Reason will prevent you from drinking a
glass of water that contains poison when you are
thirsty.
Appetite
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appetite is referred to as thirst and hunger( located in
the abdomen)
(Ex. Sexual and Physical desire)
Humans can control their appetite urges through
reason
Categorized into four categories:
Desire
Knowledge
Power
Wealth
Example: Your appetite will urge you to drink a glass
of water containing poison because you are thirsty
Aggression
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Is the conflict between reason known as
anger(exist in the chest)
The ability to maintain aggression is also
controlled by reason
Example: being unable to drink the
poisoned water when you are thirsty, this
would increase a human’s angry.
*If a person fails to overpower their
aggression and appetite they will allow
themselves to be enslaved and reason can no
longer guide them
Criticism of view- Pro
Judeo-Christian religious view of human
nature has been deeply influenced by the
traditional rational view
 Augustine adopted Plato’s view that
stated the self is rational, immaterial and
not basically self-interested
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Criticism of view- Con
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Existentialism:
States there is no
universal human
nature, no rational
human nature, and no
purpose for human
nature.
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Feminist:
States that the
Traditional view of
human nature is sexist
Aristotle:
Men rationalist
Women desire &
emotions
Feeling and emotion
are just as important
as reason in defining
human nature
Criticism of view - Con
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Darwin’s theory undermined the idea that
all living things are designed for a purpose,
and how reason is not unique but just a
more developed animal ability.
Positive angle on view
Negative angle on view
Aristotle agrees:
 Reason is humans highest
power
 Human Reason discovers
truth about human nature
 Humans have a purpose
 Reason separates man from
animal
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Being more “rational” than
another human being causes
you to feel superior towards
them
 This can lead to racism
amongst individuals
 Example: Hitler may have
thought that the Jews were
not rational thinkers; this
made them inferior to him.
This allowed Hitler to gain
power over all the Jews.
Philosophers
Scenarios 1.
Billy is walking down the hall, and Janet
pushes him when she walks by
 As a rational person what should Billy do?
a) Push Janet back
b) Swear at her
c) Walk away from the situation
d) Non of the above
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Scenario 2.
Betty is out with the girls and decides to
have a couple of drinks
As a rational person what should Betty do?
a) Continue drinking
b) Drive home drunk
c) Find a designated driver
d) Non of the above
Scenario 3.
Stephanie has one cupcake left, and her best
friend Temi has complained to her how hungry
she is. Stephanie has already eaten one cupcake,
what should she do with the other cupcake?
 As a rational person what should Stephanie do?
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Stephanie should eat the last cupcake
b. Stephanie should yell at Temi for not buying her
own cupcake
c. Stephanie should share the cupcake
d. non of the above
a.
Scenario 4.
Amy has a big philosophy test tomorrow
morning but the cutest guy in school
Chris Brown, has just invited her to go to
a party the night before
 As a rational person what should Amy do?
a. Study for the test and not go to the
party
b. Go to the party
c. Neither to study or go to the party
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