I really dislike most arguments about what constitutes human nature. Not just the capitalist ones, but the leftist ones too. At best it works as an internal model, but it isn't helpful when it comes to arguing/convincing others. Most of us already have a liberal, axiomatic idea of human nature pushed on us, and leftist attempts at changing that come down to "look, this axiom is better", usually with some pretty weak justifications.

@rikke The only theory of human nature I've ever found useful is that while individual human beings can be intelligent, rational, and kind -- they become demon-ridden idiots once you put them into sufficiently large groups.

@starbreaker I guess it's pretty important to distinguish between what's useful and what's true. I find it hard to pin down anything that's universally "true" about humans, which is different from having a working idea of what humans are generally like.