Inimloomusest

Inimloomusest is a term describing the set of traits and tendencies commonly regarded as intrinsic to humans. It encompasses cognitive abilities such as language and reasoning, affective capacities such as emotions and empathy, motivations and drives, and typical patterns of social interaction. As a scholarly concept, it is used to ask how much of human behavior is determined by biological endowment and how much by upbringing, culture, and history. In English, the closest equivalent is “human nature.”

The term is Estonian, derived from inim- (human) and loomus (nature or essence).

Historically, ideas about human nature have varied. In ancient philosophy, Aristotle described humans as rational beings. In modern thought, debates have addressed morality, politics, and social order: Hobbes emphasized self-preservation in a rough state of nature; Locke stressed reason and natural rights. Darwin linked behavior to evolutionary adaptation. In the 20th century, psychology and cognitive science examined mental structures, while anthropology highlighted cultural variability.

Contemporary research spans psychology, anthropology, sociology, and biology, using cross-cultural comparisons, experiments, and interdisciplinary models to explain which aspects of behavior are universal and which are culturally learned. Theories such as moral foundations theory propose cross-cultural bases for moral judgment, while other work documents substantial variation in norms, values, and practices.

Critics warn against biological determinism and neglect of context, power, and history, while others caution against overemphasizing universals at the expense of cultural particularities. The study of inimloomusest remains central to philosophy, ethics, and social policy, informing debates on education, welfare, and human rights.