Simone Lawson
The authors of the US Constitution had a deep interest in understanding human nature, which they derived from a careful study of history. They believed that humans were inherently self-interested and that power was often abused. This belief led them to create a system of checks and balances in the Constitution to prevent tyranny and protect individual liberties. The authors also held a classical-liberal conception of human nature, which viewed humans as naturally rapacious and in need of authority to maintain peace. This view influenced their efforts to design a government that could establish good governance and prevent societal decay.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Human nature | Depraved |
| Human nature | Manageable |
| Human nature | Self-interested |
| Human nature | Prone to power abuses |
| Human nature | Cruel |
| Human nature | Rapacious |
| Human nature | Self-loving |
| Human nature | Virtuous |
| Framers' view of history | Aligned with Voltaire's |
| Framers' conception of man | Classical-liberal |
| Framers' conception of man | Pre-liberal |
| Framers' conception of man | Postmodern |
| Framers' conception of man | Rooted in a teleological view of the cosmos |
| Framers' conception of man | Rooted in a view of man's place in the cosmos |
| Framers' view of human nature | Influenced by the Bible |
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What You'll Learn
The influence of religion
The authors of the US Constitution were deeply interested in understanding human nature, and their views were influenced by various factors, including religion. While the Constitution itself does not explicitly refer to a higher power, the influence of religion on the Founding Fathers' worldview is evident. Many of them were well-versed in the Bible and influenced by Christian principles, as seen in their emphasis on morality and virtue.
The religious influence is also evident in the Founding Fathers' moral philosophy. They believed in the importance of virtue and morality in governance. For example, Brutus, one of the authors of the Constitution, wrote about the need for a "virtuous citizenry" to check the self-interested abuses of power by elected representatives. This idea of virtue was rooted in the Christian notion of ethical behaviour and the belief that humans should strive for righteousness.
Additionally, the influence of religion can be seen in the Founding Fathers' understanding of history and their place in it. They often drew upon religious texts, such as the Bible, to guide their thinking. For example, they may have looked to the Hebrew Republic or Moses' attempts to establish a just society as a model for their own endeavours. This religious framework informed their interpretation of historical events and influenced their efforts to create a more perfect union.
The religious influence also extended to the Founding Fathers' views on liberty and self-government. They believed that religion played a crucial role in upholding the Constitution. For example, Alexander Hamilton and George Washington asserted that without religion or moral faith, the Constitution would not be upheld. This sentiment was shared by other Founding Fathers, such as Adams. They saw religion as a foundation for morality and believed that it was essential for maintaining social order and preventing societal decay.
Lastly, the influence of religion on the authors of the Constitution extended beyond their personal beliefs and into the social and cultural fabric of the time. The Founding Fathers were products of their environment, and religion played a significant role in shaping the values and principles of their society. The principles of religious freedom and liberty of conscience, as enshrined in the First Amendment, reflect the influence of religious diversity and the desire to protect the free exercise of religion.
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The classical-liberal conception of human nature
The authors of the US Constitution had a deep interest in understanding human nature, which informed their creation of a constitution that improved upon past iterations and anticipated future developments. This understanding was derived from a careful study of history, including ancient constitutions, particularly those of Greece and Rome.
The classical-liberal view of human nature also emphasises the concept of individual liberty, asserting that individuals should be free to make their own choices and pursue their goals without undue interference from the state or other external forces. This idea of "negative liberty" or freedom from constraint is a cornerstone of classical liberalism, along with the right to private property, which ensures individuals can enjoy the fruits of their labour and make autonomous decisions.
The economic theories of classical liberalism, espoused by thinkers like Adam Smith, laid the groundwork for capitalist economies. Smith's idea of the "invisible hand" guiding the free market suggests that individuals, when allowed to pursue their self-interest, will contribute to societal prosperity. Classical liberals advocate for a minimal state, or a "night-watchman" state as political philosopher Robert Nozick puts it, that does not interfere with citizens' privacy and freedom to live, work, and be educated as they see fit.
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The role of authority
The authors of the US Constitution had a deep interest in understanding human nature, which helped them create a constitution that improved upon past iterations and anticipated future developments. The authors were guided by a classical-liberal conception of human nature, which cannot be reconciled with the classical or pre-liberal view.
The authors of the Constitution believed that human depravity was ineradicable but manageable. They viewed history as a "register of crimes and misfortunes", and so sought to create a democratic republic that preserved liberty while preventing its abuse. They believed that without authority, there could be no peace, but that authority had to be checked to prevent tyranny.
The authors of the Constitution were concerned about the potential for self-interested abuses of power by elected representatives. Brutus wrote:
> "It is a truth confirmed by the unerring experience of ages, that every man, and every body of men, invested with power, are ever disposed to increase it, and to acquire a superiority over everything that stands in their way. The great art, therefore, in forming a good constitution, appears to be this, so to frame it, as that those to whom the power is committed shall be subject to the same feelings, and aim at the same objects as the people do, who transfer to them their authority."
The authors of the Constitution sought to create a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch of government. They believed that the independence of the executive and judiciary was critical to this. They also recognised the importance of frequent elections in holding representatives accountable to the people.
The authors of the Constitution were also concerned about the potential for the central government to usurp state sovereignty and sought to maintain a balance between national authority and state power. They were influenced by the Bible and believed that moral faith was necessary to uphold the Constitution.
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Human nature and self-interest
The authors of the US Constitution had a deep interest in understanding human nature, which they derived from a careful study of history. They believed that human depravity was ineradicable but manageable. This view influenced their efforts to design a government that could prevent the abuse of power and preserve the liberty of the people.
The authors of the Constitution recognized that individuals in power may be driven by self-interest and disposed to increase their power. Brutus expressed this idea as follows: "every man, and every body of men, invested with power, are ever disposed to increase it, and to acquire a superiority over everything that stands in their way." This disposition, which Brutus attributed to "the principle of self-love", could potentially lead to the abuse of power and tyranny if not checked.
To address this concern, the Constitution includes several safeguards. For example, it strengthens the ties between representatives and their constituents by creating a form of government that favours their pretensions and gives them a share in its honours and distinctions. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of frequent elections to hold representatives accountable and prevent the concentration of power.
The authors of the Constitution also recognized that societal influences could impact human behaviour. They sought to establish a government that reflected the classical-liberal conception of human nature, which could not be reconciled with the pre-liberal and postmodern views. This conception was rooted in a teleological view of the cosmos and man's place in it. However, they also acknowledged the influence of religion and moral faith on human behaviour, as evident in their discussions and the subsequent amendments to address issues such as addiction, obesity, and violence.
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Human nature and historical context
The authors of the US Constitution were guided by a particular conception of human nature—a classical-liberal conception. This view of human nature was rooted in a teleological understanding of the cosmos and man's place in it. The authors of the Constitution were also influenced by ancient Greek and Roman constitutions, seeking to improve upon their imperfections.
The founders of the Constitution believed that human nature was inherently flawed and that people were susceptible to abusing their power. They recognized the potential for tyranny and sought to establish a system of checks and balances to prevent the concentration of power in any one individual or group. This belief in the imperfect nature of humans and their tendency towards self-interest is reflected in Brutus's statement:
> "It is a truth confirmed by the unerring experience of ages, that every man, and every body of men, invested with power, are ever disposed to increase it, and to acquire a superiority over everything that stands in their way. The principle of self-love... will prompt [people] to follow [their] own private advantage."
The authors of the Constitution also recognized the importance of a virtuous citizenry to check the abuses of power by elected representatives. They believed that without religion or moral faith, the Constitution would not be upheld. This is evident in the writings of Hamilton and Washington, who emphasized the role of morality in maintaining the constitutional order.
The historical context of the Constitution's creation is also significant. The United States had recently fought a war against an all-powerful authority, and the founding fathers wanted to ensure that the new government would not become a despotic empire dominated by the wealthy and culturally refined. They sought to create a democratic republic that would preserve the liberty of the people while preventing them from abusing that liberty. This view was influenced by Voltaire's perspective on history as "the register of crimes and misfortunes," reflecting a pessimistic outlook on human nature and the potential for human depravity.
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Frequently asked questions
The authors of the US Constitution had a classical-liberal conception of human nature. They believed that humans are inherently self-interested and that power is often abused. They also believed that humans are capable of establishing a good government through reflection and choice.
The authors of the Constitution were influenced by ancient Greek and Roman constitutions, the Bible, and the work of philosophers such as Thomas Hobbes. They also considered the question of what humans would be like without society and its accoutrements.
The authors' views of human nature led them to create a system of checks and balances to prevent the abuse of power. They also sought to protect individual liberties such as freedom of speech and religion.
