To be clear- references to our natural inclination towards highly social behavior are based on what we can expect when conditions are optimal. The ancient Chinese philosopher Mencius similarly regarded human nature as “the innate tendency to an ideal state that is expected to be formed under the right conditions.” Discussing human nature without imagining optimal conditions can cause us to assume that diminished functioning is representative, leaving us with a distorted picture. This perception is imperative to avoid when considering the highly contingent nature of human functioning.
Although human nature is frequently defined as being “the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans” this definition fails to acknowledge that the way our human nature is expressed is entirely dependent upon the conditions that we face. To not consider human nature as it could be expressed in favorable conditions would be like evaluating a high-end car which had not received the key components or proper maintenance required for its best performance. Accordingly, human nature cited herein, refers to the behaviors we can expect from humans who have benefited from the conditions necessary for optimal functioning.