Human Nature
Hitesh Patel
Founder | Middle Market Exec Search & Exec-Led Platform Creation | Partnering with PE Firms & Family Offices
“We need more psychology, we need more understanding of human nature because the only real danger that exists is man himself, he is the great danger, and we are pitifully unaware of it, we know nothing of man, far too little, his title should be studied because we are the origin of all coming evil.” (Carl Jung, 1959)
Why do we often act against our own best interests, even when we know better? Choosing junk food over healthy options, skipping exercise, simply not giving it our all. Engaging in harmful behaviors like lying, cheating, or excessive drinking. These are habits many of us fall into, knowing the likely disastrous outcomes. It's a challenge all of us face, across all age groups and backgrounds, leading to unnecessary hardship and suffering. What drives us to make these choices, continuing down a path we know is harmful?
Studying psychology and human behavior are passions of mine. I have a strong desire to get a better understanding of myself and human beings - why we think, feel, and act the way we do.
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There are invisible forces that overtake our daily actions. I believe by better understanding human nature, we can better understand ourselves and why we are the way we are.
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This can lead to better decision-making, which allows for progress in all areas of life. Progress, in any capacity, is deeply satisfying to all humans, bringing joy and fulfillment.
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Diving into different perspectives from deep thinkers in psychology is a great way to get a better understanding of human nature.
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Carl Jung, Jordan Peterson, and Robert Greene are some of my favorites. I appreciate their writing and teaching styles, and ability to explain the complex into simple and easy to understand.
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I’m a big believer of learning about a topic from as many angles as possible. Different perspectives allow for a holistic understanding. There are countless free sources available to learn about any topic, just a matter of putting in the work to learn. I’m an audio guy - my go-to’s are Audible, YouTube and Podcasts.
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This article includes sources that I find extremely valuable. Timeless wisdom around psychology and human nature.
Coming up...
Let's begin with Carl Jung, a figure whose insights into the human psyche laid the foundation for understanding our deeper selves.
Carl Jung
Who is Carl Jung?
Carl Gustav Jung?(26 July 1875?– 6 June 1961)
Swiss?psychiatrist?and?psychoanalyst?who founded?analytical psychology. He was a prolific author, illustrator, and correspondent, and a complex and controversial character, presumably best known through his "autobiography"?Memories, Dreams, Reflections.
Jung's work has been influential in the fields of?psychiatry,?anthropology,?archaeology,?literature,?philosophy,?psychology, and?religious studies. He worked as a research scientist at the?Burgh?lzli?psychiatric hospital, in?Zurich, under?Eugen Bleuler. Jung established himself as an influential mind, developing a friendship with?Sigmund Freud, founder of?psychoanalysis, conducting a?lengthy correspondence?paramount to their joint vision of human psychology. Jung is widely regarded as one of the most influential psychologists in history. (Wikipedia )
Carl Jung studied the depths of the mind, introducing concepts like archetypes and collective unconscious. His work bridges the gap between psychology and spirituality, offering insights into personal and collective identity.
Carl Jung, Face to Face Interview (Oct 22nd 1959)
I came across the below YouTube video, found it really interesting. It’s an interview from 1959 where we see a unique perspective of Jung. He's in his 80’s and talks about many aspects of his life including his childhood, parents and upbringing, an incident where he was jumped by 7 boys and ended up winning the fight by taking down 4 of them (they never messed with him again), a time when a teacher accused him of plagiarism and the violent thoughts that came from the accusation, his relationship with Freud, thoughts on God, and why it’s essential to understand man and human nature.
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“We need more psychology, we need more understanding of human nature because the only real danger that exists is man himself, he is the great danger, and we are pitifully unaware of it, we know nothing of man, far too little, his title should be studied because we are the origin of all coming evil.” (Carl Jung, 1959)
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After the 38-minute interview, the video goes into newspaper articles with journalists' reactions to the Jung interview, which was fascinating. This YouTube creator goes deep, it's awesome. I love his passion for the subject.
There were many opinions, both positive and negative, in response to Jung's comments in the interview, especially around his answer to the question of whether he believes in God or not - “I don’t need to believe. I know.” It was a simple answer that could be interpreted in many ways, which it was. The journalists' reactions clearly show it.
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After the newspaper reactions, the video goes into Jung's written reactions to the journalists' reactions. Such great insight into what people were thinking back then of Jung and how Jung reacted to their judgements of him. It was interesting to see Jung offended and defensive.
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If you are a student of psychology and/or have an interest in Carl Jung, this video is a must watch given the unique perspective.
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Jung's exploration into the human psyche uncovers the layers of our unconscious, revealing how archetypes shape our experiences and behaviors. His game-changing work deepens our understanding of ourselves and bridges the gap between psychology and spirituality, offering a comprehensive view of human nature.
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Building on Jung's exploration of the psyche, Jordan Peterson dives further, offering contemporary interpretations that challenge and enlighten our understanding of human nature.
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Jordan Peterson's analysis, through Jung's theories into modern day challenges, emphasizes personal responsibility and the search for meaning. His studies of psychology, mythology, and religious traditions offers a roadmap for navigating life's complexities.
Jordan Peterson
Who is Jordan Peterson?
Jordan Bernt Peterson?(born 12 June 1962) is a Canadian psychologist, author, and media commentator. Often described as?conservative, he began to receive widespread attention in the late 2010s for his views on cultural and political issues. Peterson has described himself as a?classic British liberal and a?traditionalist.
Peterson was born and raised in?Alberta, and he obtained two?bachelor's degrees?in?political science?and?psychology?from the?University of Alberta?and a?PhD?in clinical psychology from?McGill University. After researching and teaching at?Harvard University, he returned to Canada in 1998 and became a professor of psychology at the?University of Toronto. In 1999, he published his first book,?Maps of Meaning: The Architecture of Belief, which became the basis for many of his subsequent lectures. The book combined psychology,?mythology,?religion,?literature,?philosophy?and?neuroscience?to analyze systems of?belief?and?meaning. (Wikipedia )
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Jordan Peterson explores the human condition through the lens of psychology, mythology, and religion. His lectures on personal responsibility, the meaning of life, and the psychology of belief have influenced many to seek deeper understanding and purpose, including myself.
Peterson's 2015 Lectures on Jung
The below two Peterson lectures are well worth the watch / listen. Peterson explains what you need to know about Jung, with insights into Freud and Nietzsche, providing a comprehensive overview. His analogies and metaphors around good and evil in movies and various life dramas are relatable, making the sometimes complex concepts easier to understand.
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YouTube Lecture Summary:
Posted: Jan 23, 2015
Carl Jung was a great psychologist of symbolism. He believed that the imagination roamed where articulated knowledge had not yet voyaged, and that it was the artist and visionary who first explored new territory, civilizing it, in essence, for those who came later. The study of Jung makes the dead religious past spring back to life.
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?YouTube Summary:
Posted: Jan 27, 2015
Carl Jung was one of the most profound thinkers of the 20th century, and the first major post-enlightenment intellectual to consider religious thinking from a truly biological perspective.
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?? If you enjoyed these two lectures, check out Peterson's YouTube Channel and his Playlist which includes 72 Lectures:
Transitioning from the area of psychology to human behavior, Robert Greene's 'The Laws of Human Nature' offers a practical lens through which we can view ourselves and others.
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Greene shifts our focus from theory to practice, providing insights into understanding and influencing human behavior. His work is a practical guide for mastering social dynamics and self-improvement, referencing a range of historical examples and psychological research.
The Laws of Human Nature by Robert Greene
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One of my favorites, an author known for his books on strategy, power, and human behavior, Robert Greene's "The Laws of Human Nature" offers a deep look at the drives and motivations that govern human behavior. Through historical examples and psychological insights, Greene provides tools for understanding others and mastering oneself.
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In his book, Greene presents 18 crucial laws that influence our interactions. These laws are practical tools that, when understood and applied, can greatly enhance our lives.
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?? The Law of Irrationality: Humans are primarily emotional and irrational beings, often governed more by feelings than logical reasoning. Recognizing and understanding these irrational tendencies can empower us to make better decisions.
?? The Law of Narcissism: Everyone has narcissistic traits to varying degrees. Awareness of our own and others' narcissism can help in navigating social interactions and personal development more effectively.
?? The Law of Role-Playing: People often wear masks and play roles in social settings to conform to expectations and gain acceptance. Recognizing these roles enables us to see through facades and understand people's true intentions.
?? The Law of Compulsive Behavior: Individuals have unconscious patterns and compulsions driving their behavior. Identifying these patterns can help in predicting behaviors and breaking negative cycles.
?? The Law of Covetousness: Our deep desires and how they drive us towards certain actions and people. Understanding these desires allows us to channel them in productive ways, avoiding destructive behavior.
?? The Law of Shortsightedness: Our tendency to focus on the immediate and ignore long-term consequences. Foresight helps mitigate impulsive decisions and steer our lives in a more intentional direction.
??? The Law of Defensiveness: People often react defensively to protect their ego and image. Approaching interactions with empathy and cooperation can reduce defensiveness and foster open communication.
?? The Law of Self-Sabotage: People unknowingly undermine their own interests due to fear, insecurity, or unconscious drives. Awareness of these tendencies is the first step towards overcoming them.
?? The Law of Repression: Repressed emotions and desires don't disappear but manifest in various forms, influencing behavior. Acknowledging and processing these repressed elements can lead to greater emotional health.
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?? The Law of Envy: Envy is a natural human emotion that can either motivate improvement or lead to destructive actions. Recognizing and managing envy can help turn it into a positive force.
?? The Law of Grandiosity: Warns against the dangers of excessive pride and delusions of grandeur. Maintaining humility and self-awareness keeps grandiosity away and creates lasting success.
♂?♀? The Law of Gender Rigidity: Explores the limitations imposed by strict gender roles and stereotypes. Embracing diversity in gender can enrich relationships and personal identities.
?? The Law of Aimlessness: Lack of purpose or direction leads to dissatisfaction and aimless behavior. Finding and pursuing a clear purpose enriches life with meaning and fulfillment.
?? The Law of Conformity: Pressure to conform can overshadow individuality and innovation. Resisting conformity in favor of authentic self-expression leads to greater personal and societal advancement.
??? The Law of Fickleness: Unpredictable and changeable nature of people's opinions and feelings. Building resilience and flexibility allows us to navigate the complexity of human nature effectively.
?? The Law of Aggression: Aggressive instincts that lie within everyone. Channeling aggression constructively can lead to positive changes and achievements, rather than conflict and destruction.
??? The Law of Generational Myopia: Each generation tends to be shortsighted, overlooking the wisdom of the past. Bridging generational gaps and learning from history can prevent repeated mistakes.
? The Law of Death Denial: Tendency to deny and avoid the reality of mortality. Confronting and accepting the inevitability of death can inspire us to live more fully and with greater purpose.
"The Laws of Human Nature" is one of my favorite books. One that I listen to multiple times a year. A must for anyone looking to get a deeper understanding of human nature and how these laws influence our daily interactions.
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As we navigate through the complexities of our human nature, in addition to the 18 laws, there are many cognitive mind traps we need to be aware of. Below are 21 including two videos that do a great job of visual summaries of each mind trap. Must watches.
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21 Cognitive Mind Traps that Influence our Thinking and Decision-Making
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You probably think you are in complete control of your decisions and thoughts. But how often are they guided by something else? Something you don’t even notice occurring deep within your mind... traps, fallacies, biases and other phenomenon that exist within your brain.?
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?? Cognitive Dissonance: The discomfort of holding conflicting beliefs.
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?? The Spotlight Effect: The belief that others are paying more attention to you than they actually are.
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? The Anchoring Effect: Over-reliance on the first piece of information.
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?? The Halo Effect: The tendency to let one trait, often an attractive quality, influence overall opinion.
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?? Gambler’s Fallacy: The belief that past events can influence future probabilities.
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?? The Contrast Effect: Judgement influenced by comparisons rather than objective values.
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?? Confirmation Bias: Favoring information that confirms pre-existing beliefs.
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?? Baader-Meinhof Phenomenon: Once something has come to our attention, we believe it to occur more frequently.
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? Zeigarnik Effect: Incomplete tasks stay in mind more than completed ones.
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?? The Paradox of Choice: Indecision caused by too many options.
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?? Survivorship Bias: Focusing on successes while overlooking failures.
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?? Self-Serving Bias: Attributing success to oneself and failures to external factors.
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?? Fundamental Attribution Error: Over-emphasizing personal characteristics and ignoring situational factors when judging others.
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??? Hindsight Bias: Overestimating our ability to have predicted an outcome.
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?? Availability Bias: Relying heavily on immediate and memorable information.
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?? Availability Cascade: The process of an idea becoming accepted as truth through repetition.
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?? Sunk Cost Fallacy: The compulsion to continue an endeavor because of past investment.
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??? The Framing Effect: The influence of presentation on perception.
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?? Clustering Illusion: Seeing patterns in random data.
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?? Exponential Growth: Rapid increase due to compounding.
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?? Barnum Effect: The tendency to interpret vague statements as meaningful and personal.
The two videos below are great visual summaries of each of the 21 mind traps. Must watch.
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?? Source: YouTube - Escaping Ordinary (B.C Marx)
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If you…
If you dive into the study of human behavior, you find that understanding others begins with understanding yourself.
If you absorb the wisdom of great thinkers like Jung, Peterson, and Greene, you see patterns in behavior that were once invisible to you.
If you recognize the psychological mind traps that can control us, you navigate life with greater clarity and purpose.?
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Conclusion
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In our journey to understand the human mind, psychology offers us a fascinating lens through which to view the world and ourselves. By embracing the teachings of great thinkers of psychology and acknowledging our own mental traps, we can lead lives of deeper understanding and connection. The exploration of human nature is an endless journey, with each step in our path providing progress and better life experiences. With every insight gained, we edge closer to living with intention, purpose and meaning. Remember, the greatest journey is the one within.
“Man cannot stand a meaningless life.” (Carl Jung, 1959)
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#Psychology #HumanNature #MindTraps
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8 个月Hitesh, great newsletter. I'm on chapter 5 of Jordan Peterson's 12 Rules for Life now. Greene's The Laws of Human Nature?is in my queue, and I'll move it up now given your overview. Have you read (or listened to) Notes from Underground Novella by?Dostoevsky? It's a good fictional tale of human psychology and our actions often competing with our desires. Tip for everyone: If you have a local library card, see what you get access to with it. Most libraries will give either free access to Hoopla or Libby, which have an incredible portfolio of audiobooks and ebooks for free. Fulton County (Atlanta) gives both.
CEO at Singletrack
8 个月Great article. Also a huge fan of JBP, Carl Jung, Nietzsche, and Robert Greene.