Nature Vs. Nurture?

This is from a discussion I posted to about the nature vs. nurture debate in one of my college classes. It is original for whatever it's worth.

With a quick scan of some of the available material on the subject, it appears that currently the nature vs. nurture is moving away from its traditional roots a little bit. While nurture traditionally was understood to be the home and family in which one was raised (or lack thereof) now it is becoming more common to understand the nurture side of things as being the totality of environment in which one is brought up. The nature of course refers to one's own innate qualities or inner self.

As to which one is responsible for human behavior and proclivities, I tend to walk somewhere in the middle. I also ascribe to the Biblical perspective which I will briefly delineate.

I believe that the rapid rate of discoveries in the field of genetics holds great promise for unlocking many of the biological "players" in our bodies that predispose us to certain strengths or weaknesses. However, given the nature of human beings, some squander great opportunity and others overcome great adversity to triumph. This demonstrates that it is not entirely genetic nor is it entirely a choice. It is most often a combination of the two.

The Biblical perspective is that mankind was created in the image of God with great perfection and nobility. It describes a process by which that perfection was marred and mankind became morally and biologically imperfect from its original design.

This to me illustrates why some people without faith can accomplish great acts of goodness and nobility and conversely why some people of faith can wreak great havoc and corruption. The reason is simply that all men hold vestiges of their originally intrinsic goodness as well as an intrinsic marred morality. This makes makes all men subject to the greatest of liberties: to choose their own pathway to the left or right...toward right or wrong...toward life or death in the great and small. This Biblical perspective I believe to be a remarkably accurate portrayal of the state of man. It is clear and direct and pulls no punches. It paints a picture of humanity as we are.

Therefore when it comes to the nature vs. nurture debate, I believe we are genetically wired toward good and bad, strength and weakness: biologically and morally. However, what is done with that package is also heavily influenced by the environment in which it is placed. I would have to posit that I believe in nature and nurture.