How could I have defended the "human nature" argument better? (lemmygrad.ml)

submitted 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago) by znsh@lemmygrad.ml to c/asklemmygrad@lemmygrad.ml

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Got into a discussion with a friend who is a biologist about the "human nature" argument against communism. My best shot was saying that we used to live in a sort of proto communism so the evidence of it working are there. He didn't accept that argument and basicly said that due to natural selection, competition etc. and that all social structures eventually disolve.

I didn't have good ideas on how to respond after that.

EDIT: Forgot the question, how could I have defended this argument more?

EDIT2: I read each and every comment anyone posts, I just can't respond to all of you, thanks so much for the explanations it really goes to show how awesome this community is.

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[-] Lowleekun@hexbear.net 21 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

What they describe as "hoooman nature" is societal conditioning. Ask them if it makes a difference if people grow up in a poor household or a rich, have a childhood without education or with elite schools and coaching, have grown up in Nazi Germany or the USA (the last one might fire back).

In our capitalistic society we are trained for competition from early on. Our schools and our jobs are build for competing instead of cooperation. That is a choice that benefits out owners.

We all agree that we are very much shaped by our surroundings until our world view needs us to ignore that.