Nature Versus Nurture Debate Turns Into Genes Versus Environment

Nature versus nurture debate continues to rage though with alteration in terms of reference. Nature has been pinned down just to the genetic structure of the individual from which there is neither any escape nor redemption. Nurture in today's terms is attempted creation of a congenial environment for genes to unleash themselves.Genes are like pieces on a chessboard which can be moved only according to certain rules. Genes are given to us in our biological make-up but the rules for them are set by the social environment in which the individual carrying them operates. Social environment itself is not a constant,. It keeps changing into a variety of situations. Our genetic make up responds to these changing situations in a variety of ways depending upon our assessment of each situation.

Let us take a hypothetical case. Suppose there are two five year old boys with completely identical genetical structures. One is brought up in a Buddhist monastery where he follows the rules of the monastery and where absolute non-violence is the reigning value and it is deeply inculcated in him. On the other hand, the second boy is brought up in the midst of the ISIS militants where violence reigns. When these two boys are grown up men, won't they be altogether different in their responses to the same situations and challenges? That is, despite the identity of their genetic structures, there will be nothing in common between the two persons.