During the holidays, the topic of human nature is always, at least implicitly. in the air. Obviously one could write whole tomes on the qualities of human nature (many, many, many have), but in its simplest form, I always felt that questions about that nature can be reduced to musings over the interactions of a few variables in any given context; reason, instinct (which encompassses everything from the instincts to run, to fight – and the instinct to communalism and altruism which we see it other primates), emotions, personal cosmology, and the wisdom of experience. There may be others (or others may define those differently), but those are the basic ingredients in the soup, more or less.
The assumption that is often implicit in political discussions over “the big issues” (as opposed to quibbling over percentage points on balance sheets) is that, if all these variables are in proper balance in an individual, they should end up coming down on the good side of these issues – or at least they should if we enter into the process assuming (or wanting to assume) that human nature is generally itself good.
Case in point, Norwich University Cadet Michael Self.
Norwich University in Northfield is the nation’s first – and only remaining – private military college. While the profiles and activities of the student corps would look similar to those at VMI or another public military college, as a private school with a deep history, there are distinctions. A greater emphasis on the liberal arts, for example, but more than that, the Norwich tradition of military honor seems less subject to being effected by the ebbs and flows of everything from pop culture to the political administration du jour.
It is in that context that Self began his senior research as a criminal justice major into the subject of torture.
At the outset of his project, Self characterized his views as “definitely of the warrior mindset, which almost followed the Bush administration’s approach, which was when we went into Afghanistan we viewed the Geneva Convention as an obstacle to the goal of getting actionable intelligence.” In his own words, if he had been asked whether torture would be appropriate if it was seen as a way to prevent another 9-11, his response would have been “absolutely.”
But Self studied and learned, and the variables in the equation began to change. Self:
“I learned about the ineffectiveness of torture, about the extreme costs in terms of credibility, the loss of moral high ground, violation of international law and the bending of American ideals in an ideological war,” he said. “My ultimate conclusion is that it’s not worth torturing terror suspects for the chance-I emphasize, chance-to get actionable intelligence.”
Self worked on his project with NU Professor Rowland Brucken who worked with him through what became a grant-funded summer undergraduate project. Brucken, who is including some of Self’s research in his own upcoming book within a chapter on the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, sees a presentation Self made during the summer on his work as a turning point in his thinking:
“He faced some very challenging questions from professors and students in the audience because his thinking on the subject was evolving,” said Brucken. “His thesis back then wasn’t a strong one because it was equivocal and that opened him to criticism from either side. I think it was a sign to Michael that he had to come to a more succinct thesis, however it evolved.”
I think many of us on the left cling to the idea that, at least sometimes, if we can get a chance to make our case to people of goodwill, that we might be able to change minds.
It’s nice to have that faith in human nature rewarded from time to time.
Self is wrapping up the research that dominated his academic life for a year. He hopes to present his paper at other conferences and possibly have it published.
“Because we’re in an ideological war, trying to win hearts and minds and because of the limited effectiveness of torture, it’s just not worth it,” said Self. “I never would have said that before I started this research.”
Self’s experience stands as a reminder that the cynicism towards our fellow humans that we so often fall prey to is often the greatest impediment we face towards making the world a better place.
