CHAPTER IV 



IS THEEE A MOKAL BIAS IN HUMAN NATURE ? 



IF the question be raised, Is there a bias toward 

 sin in human nature, as we know it, that is not the 

 consequence of actual transgression of law by the 

 individual ? we can not return an answer in a sim- 

 ple word. We eliminate the case of actual per- 

 sonal transgression : for it is conceded by all that 

 in such a person there has resulted a weakness 

 which gives sin the advantage in the contest. 



In answering we must remember that human 

 nature is complex flesh and spirit, with the pro- 

 pensities and qualities of each in their various re- 

 lations. In dealing with the new-born child we 

 have to deal immediately, as we have seen, only 

 with the flesh. But as this child is the individual 

 that is to become a complete human being, we are 

 hardly dealing candidly with the problem unless 

 we seek to analyze human nature as it is in its 

 developed but normal form. It might be con- 

 ceded that the child needs no change of nature, 

 but that that concession does not inevitably follow 

 concerning the complete human being, who is the 

 normal and inevitable development of the child. 

 So we must face the question in its application to 



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