Ones conception of human nature fundamentally directs ones analysis of the problem of estrangement. Aristotle, Thomas Hobbes, and John Locke are examples of this concept. Aristotle's view of human nature was that, “all men aim at what they think good. Clearly, then, while all associations aim at some good, the association which is the most sovereign of all and embraces all others aims highest”. Aristotle felt that humans intrinsically persevered in the understanding of human essence, and the truest understanding of this could not be realized in solitude or privacy.
Aristotle proposed that it is only in the assemblage of man, and the communion of fellow citizens, could human essence be understood in its truest definition. Since the insistency upon this understanding demanded the application of associative gathering, “one who is isolated...must therefore be either a beast or a god”. When assuming that the advance toward the understanding of human essence is inherently persevered, it is apparent that estrangement is not natural, for assemblage is fundamental in definitive understanding. Aristotle illustrates this concept of essential congregation by holding that isolated or singular thinkers are unnatural or unusual, perhaps beastly or godly, certainly not human by nature. Estrangement, to Aristotle, is directed by the concept that human nature demands assemblage in order to grasp the definition of essence.
Hobbes was highly inspired by the heart surgeon, William Harvey. Harvey, in discovering blood circulation, proposed that each bodily faculty in the humans physical comprise acted as a functioning component in the bodies operation. When innards and appendages were disoriented, the dynamic operation of the body was detrimental and impeded from functioning effectively. Reflecting this method of thinking, Hobbes felt that each human being represented a fundamental component of the composition of the universe. He held that each individual served as an object or function, which operated purposefully in the dynamic of macrocosm. With this in mind, it is understandable that humans are not estranged in nature. Serving as a vital component in the composition of the universe, ones purpose becomes realized and effective through the comprised assemblage of all human beings. Estrangement is not natural or easily managed, however, it is not necessary. Human beings as components may be juxtaposed with the innards of the human body. All caricatures of the composition are essential functions in the opus of the operating body.
John Locke focused on similar views as Hobbes, however his theme swept the personal reasoning behind unnatural estrangement into view. Locke held that all human beings are not naturally estranged. His thoughts on human nature proposed that human beings are characterized by different abilities and weaknesses. He felt that in a state of nature, the focus of the species is to strengthen and depreciate detrimental weaknesses that may inhibit individuals. Locke wrote that, “just as we are not by ourselves sufficient to furnish ourselves with competent store of things needful, we are naturally induced to seek fellowship with others in order to aid these defects”. Locke felt that human beings naturally assemble in the efforts to advance the species by sharing strengths which eclipse individual weaknesses. His view on human nature directed his analysis of estrangement by the natural compulsion to gather in order to successfully survive as a dominating species. Humans cannot be essentially estranged, until their independent consent discords from the assemblage.
These philosophers' view on estrangement is directed by their analysis of human nature. It is evident that when ones views of human nature depicts the inevitable insistency on association in order to advance as a thinking species, estrangement seems unnatural, as it is an abridgment from the successes achieved through communal support. In fellowship, humans as a conglomerated body benefit from the strengths of others, and stifle the individual weakness otherwise detrimental in solitude.
