In Mark Twain’s philosophical dialogue, “What Is Man?” an Old Man presents a deterministic view of humanity to a Young Man. The Old Man asserts that human beings are complex machines whose every action and thought are dictated by their innate temperament and external influences rather than free will. He argues that even seemingly altruistic acts, like self-sacrifice, are fundamentally driven by the “Master Impulse” of seeking one’s own spiritual contentment and self-approval. Genuine self-sacrifice for others is nonexistent. The dialogue further explores how “training” and “association,” as external forces, shape an individual’s beliefs, morals, and preferences. The Old Man ultimately concludes that man originates nothing, not even a thought, and is merely an automatic mechanism.

Listen to the podcast below and discern for yourself what Twain tries to convey via a Socratic dialogue.