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March 30- April 4 ( question 2 )

2). Do you believe in the rationality, perfectibility, and mutability premises? What social institutions and practices are based on these beliefs?

I do believe that most Americans agree that humans hold three basic beliefs about human nature. The book defines rationality premise as people being capable of discovering the truth through logical analysis. I think that most people have the potential to use rational judgment to make logical decisions. I believe that most people are capable of making rational decisions although there are cases where perfectly healthy individuals chose not to take the “logical” approach. The rationality premise is seen in the Judicial branch of the U.S. Democracy. The perfectibility premise is an interesting concept the book argues to be another belief that most Americans have. I think the perfectibility premise hold true in the minds of most American’s due partly because of Christianity. I don’t believe fully in the mutability premise. Not ALL human behavior is shaped from environmental factors.  Finally, I do believe that Individualism is seen throughout American society. The United States is an Individualistic society where Americans are encouraged to make their own decisions and opinions as opposed to other collectivistic societies.