"Where the Conflict Really Lies"

"Where the Conflict Really Lies" by David Schmidtz explores the deep philosophical debate between two views of human nature: one sees people as naturally competitive and self-interested (the "Hobbesian" view), while the other believes humans are fundamentally cooperative and altruistic (the "Kantian" view). Schmidtz argues that both perspectives hold truth in different contexts and that understanding this helps resolve conflicts in moral, political, and social discussions. Instead of viewing these perspectives as mutually exclusive, he suggests integrating them to better grasp human behavior and develop more effective, balanced policies.