Trenholm (2011) defines the premises as: “the rationality
premise – the belief that most people are capable of discovering the truth
through logical analysis. The perfectibility premise is based on the old
Puritan idea that humans are born in sin but are capable of achieving goodness
through effort and control. Finally, the mutability premise assumes that human
behavior is shaped by environmental factors and that the way to improve humans
is to improve their physical and psychological circumstances” (p. 334).
I do not believe in
the total concept of the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises,
but I do think that parts of them are important in American culture.
The rationality premise is based on the idea that most people can use logic to find the truth; however, I think that there are some people in America who just don't have the thinking power to be that logical. I have seen lots of people out there who do not make good decisions. Also, there is no one truth to most situations. People have different perspectives of the same situation and make different decisions based on those perspectives. However, I do think that the American culture is built on the idea that individuals should have the opportunity to provide for themselves; after all, that is the American dream...right?
The perfectibility premise is based on the idea that people are born in sin, but can overcome it through hard work and self-control. I do not believe that people are born in sin or that proclaiming control over basic human nature is necessary to achieve good. I do believe that acceptable cultural and moral behavior needs to be learned. Also, hard work and individual achievement are big parts of American culture (otherwise we would all be rich and famous, and there would be no one to brag that point to). Individuals are expected to work hard and take advantage of the opportunity and freedom provided in America, the outcomes will vary based on the path people choose.
The mutability premise is that humans can be improved through their environment. I think this is generally true; but, I also believe it has to be willed by the person. I live in Auburn, I like to believe that it is a generally good town. There are people that are brought here for their own personal reasons, who are not as "good" as society thinks they should be, but when put into a good situation, they do not always change their outlook on life, or their moral beliefs. Just because "bad" people are intermingled with "good" people does not mean the "bad" will turn good.
The rationality premise is based on the idea that most people can use logic to find the truth; however, I think that there are some people in America who just don't have the thinking power to be that logical. I have seen lots of people out there who do not make good decisions. Also, there is no one truth to most situations. People have different perspectives of the same situation and make different decisions based on those perspectives. However, I do think that the American culture is built on the idea that individuals should have the opportunity to provide for themselves; after all, that is the American dream...right?
The perfectibility premise is based on the idea that people are born in sin, but can overcome it through hard work and self-control. I do not believe that people are born in sin or that proclaiming control over basic human nature is necessary to achieve good. I do believe that acceptable cultural and moral behavior needs to be learned. Also, hard work and individual achievement are big parts of American culture (otherwise we would all be rich and famous, and there would be no one to brag that point to). Individuals are expected to work hard and take advantage of the opportunity and freedom provided in America, the outcomes will vary based on the path people choose.
The mutability premise is that humans can be improved through their environment. I think this is generally true; but, I also believe it has to be willed by the person. I live in Auburn, I like to believe that it is a generally good town. There are people that are brought here for their own personal reasons, who are not as "good" as society thinks they should be, but when put into a good situation, they do not always change their outlook on life, or their moral beliefs. Just because "bad" people are intermingled with "good" people does not mean the "bad" will turn good.
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