I commenced the Executive Master in Business Administration (EMBA) program of Lagos Business School (LBS) on 10th February 2023 thereby missed the four class sessions. One of the classes I missed is Introduction to The Nature of Human Beings course.
While familiarizing myself with the program e-learning platform, I came across a course marked ‘The Nature of Human Beings’, I was curious to the nature of the course and what exactly will be learnt.
I have always nurture interest in human psychology and still hopefully that I will be opportune to explore that field of study soon. So, getting a chance to have first stab at a subject of my interest just reassure me of the correctness of my decision to embark on the EMBA program.
Reading through the materials on the e-learning platform and other sources, I was able to realize that the topic of Human Nature is not complicated but complex and simple at the same time. Our ability to have deeper and better understanding of human nature can contribute to improve personal and inter-personal development, interaction and relationship thereby enhance organization’s growth human beings are greatest asset of any establishment.
Human nature as defined is ‘simply the feelings and behavioural traits common among most humans’[1]. The definition clearly shows that study of human nature is not about individual personality but different personalities spectrum an individual can take.
Reviewing common examples of human nature – envious, optimistic, pessimistic, trusting – restate the fact that human nature is fluid as a single individual can demonstrate one or more of these traits at any given time depending of circumstance.
There are theories formulated in the past to dissect the topic – The Nature of Human Being. Such theories include Classical Greek Philosophy, Chinese Philosophy.
Aristotle a well-known Greek philosopher ‘believed that human beings to have a natural desire to know the truth, pursue moral excellence, live a good life, and behave in the world according to their actions[2].
Chinese philosophy on the other hand explained human nature in two different ways – ‘man as the centre of the universe’[3] with man’s behaviour and ethics in the world fundamentally good.
Based on insights above, I am positive that the course will only introduce me to the nature of human being but equip me on how to be a better version of myself.
In fact, I am looking forward to learning more from the facilitator of the course difference between being human and becoming human, more theories to explain the human nature, recognize and explain the unity of body and soul – every human being is composed of body and soul.
Furthermore, I am interested in concept of human freedom vis-à-vis responsibilities and what role does virtues play in human development.
How to put all these learnings together and positively impact individual, organization, and society via sensitization of individuals and businesses to respect human dignity, promote people’s development and appreciate human contributions to society growth will be of utmost interest to me during the course classes.
[1] https://study.com/learn/lesson/what-is-human-nature.html
[2] ibid
[3] Confucious, ibid
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