Do we choose our political values and opinions, or do they result from forces such as genes, socialization, the mass media, and the persuasive power of political elites? Why and when do people commit horrific acts of violence? Why do religious beliefs and practices vary so much from person to person? How much control do we have over our personal achievements and the course of our lives?
Broadly speaking, answers to questions such as these invoke one or more of three responses: free will, meaning that we freely choose our actions, opinions, and worldviews; nature, meaning that we follow the paths set by our shared and varying human natures; and nurture, meaning that we are the products of particular social, economic, and political environments. Focusing on the findings of contemporary research, this course will explore free will, nature, and nurture from the vantage point of political science and several other academic disciplines, including philosophy, sociology, anthropology, neuroscience, psychology, and behavioral genetics. By comparing the methods and assumptions of different disciplines, the course also helps situate political science within the modern university.