Nature vs. Nurture
Nature vs. Nurture has been debated since about 350 B.C. Greek philosopher Plato and pupil Aristotle had different viewpoints. Aristotle believed that “there is nothing in the mind that does not first come in from the external world through the senses.” Plato believed “character and intelligence is inherited.” Nature on the one hand is all that a man brings with himself into the world, and nurture is basically every influence after birth. (Myers, 2010. Pg. 7) Most biologists today agree that the nature versus nurture debate is too simplistic. [Heredity and environment both play a critical role in development, making both important considerations. One might as well ask about what's more important to the area of a rectangle, the width or the length, as psychologist Donald Hebb once did when questioned about the nature versus nurture debate.] (Hebb, 2009)
From Genesis
We must examine the story of Adam and Eve, in the case of Adam, his character and intelligence was inherited from God (Nature) and in the case of Eve, was she not influenced by the serpent? (Nurture) (Genesis 3:1-13) Prior to this there was no sin, only nature. Another great example is Genesis 2:17-20, God had said it is not good for man to be alone. (vs. 18) Do we detect the trait of loneliness already installed? (Nature) In (vs. 17), both Adam and Eve did not know what dying meant, nor did they have true wisdom and discernment until after the sins were committed in Genesis 3:6. (Nature) then (Nurture).
Beyond Nature VS Nurture
In this study of nature vs. nurture, and of its origin, one cannot ignore the close relationship between Plato, Aristotle and the man Socrates. Socrates reveals to us a picture of Jesus Christ through his speaking, his actions, and his humbleness and wisdom thanks to Plato’s apology letters. (Jowett, 2010) Socrates was charged with impiety, teaching of doctrine that was contrary to the Greek culture and was considered an evil in that culture due to the fact that Socrates rejected their gods that the Greeks worshipped. Both Plato and Aristotle even though their theories were different from each other’s, they still worked together. Neither man was wrong in their theories; in fact they both hold a portion of the truth in which the two together make a whole.
Inseparable
We are unable to have nature without nurture or nurture without nature, these are in fact inseparable. Those who dispute this issue are destitute of the truth and the Love of God dwells not within them. Ezekiel 37 and the vision and restoration of the dry bones; God gives to us what we need, not just a standard issue set of traits, this resurrected remnant was without hope and they did not have their personalities restored as of yet. He made us all unique to show his love for us and to show us that he is truly an awesome God! The fact that this debate of nature vs. nurture has went on for so long by man over the centuries and argued by so many, just really goes to show that they cannot move the truth. If only man would pick up on the divine influence which is evident not only in the words and actions and heart of Socrates, but also due in fact that his student Plato wrote them down in obedience as a scribe would have. There is really no other explanation of how such a divine influence could have been manifested back in this time. The Torah had been written by Moses, but had it made it to Greece yet? It is a fact that Jesus walked the earth with Angels and visited different people such as Abraham and Sarah while on his way to carry out Judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah in (Genesis 18:1-18) Why would it be any different for Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle? God controls it all.
Concluding Thoughts
I find this topic of nature vs. nurture intriguing and totally fascinating, full of parallelisms, mannerisms, and speaking, through Plato’s apology letters (Jowett, 2010) that is too often overlooked and ignored by many psychologists over the centuries. People can and do rise above the norms and the influence of culture from within society learning better ways than what the society has to offer. I am drawn to a concluding fact that “Man knows nothing other than what God chooses to reveal unto him and instills within him.” And that for me, that is Nature + Nurture = The Love and Mystery of our Lord and Saviour.
Hebb, D. (2009). Nature vs. Nurture. Diffen.com. Retrieved From
Jowett, M. A. (2010). Plato’s Apology from the Dialogues of Plato. About.com. Retrieved From
The Scofield Reference Bible: KJV. (1909) New York, NY: Oxford University Press, Inc.
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