The Laws of Human Nature

“Human nature stems from the particular wiring of our brains, the configuration of our nervous system, and the way we humans process emotions, all of which developed and emerged over the course of the five million years or so of our evolution as a species.”

This passage challenges the idea that human nature is purely shaped by socialization or culture. Greene presents human nature as an innate force that exists beyond historical and societal contexts, reinforcing that behaviors such as ambition, aggression, or irrationality are hardwired into the human psyche. This suggests that true mastery over one's nature does not come from denial or suppression but from deep understanding and strategic control.

“Emotions are continually affecting our thought processes and decisions, below the level of our awareness. And the most common emotion of them all is the desire for pleasure and the avoidance of pain.”

This passage highlights how natural irrationality is for humans and shows that even though humans see themselves as highly logical and evolved, they still are attached to pleasure and comfort, as well as the drive to survive. This supports The Psychological Underpinnings of Behavior.

“We are all narcissists. In a conversation we are all champing at the bit to talk, to tell our story, to give our opinion. We like people who share our ideas—they reflect back to us our good taste.”

Greene’s perspective challenges the notion that narcissism is an abnormal or extreme condition. Instead, he presents it as a universal trait, meaning that successful social interactions depend on understanding and managing this tendency rather than condemning it outright. This also implies that social influence is most effective when one acknowledges and works with others’ inherent narcissism—validating their opinions and reflecting their self-image back at them in a positive light.