The argument of nature vs. nurture can be dated as far back as 300 BC during Socrates and Plato’s time. These Greeks introduced the term nativism (nature) as the idea that our thoughts, ideas, and characteristics are inborn. In other words, we are believed to be born with these thoughts, ideas and characteristics, and that they are already in our genes. On the other hand, Aristotle introduced the idea to us of empiricism, or nurture. He described this as knowledge is gained through experience (senses). Our thoughts and ways are not because of our genetic make-up, but because of how we were raised and brought up by our parents and overall lifestyle.

I believe that my elder sister and I are a prime example of the argument of nature vs. nurture. For our entire lives, we have been brought up by the same parents, in the same household. We attended the same school district, went on the same vacations, had the same household rules- basically experienced all of the same big events and occurrences throughout our childhood lives. So what explains why we have turned out oh, so different?

Hands down, I am a “type B” person and my sister, without a question, is “type A”. Her personality and ways of being fit the structured, disciplined and “black or white, right or wrong” lifestyle. To describe me on the other hand, basically take all of that and turn it around! My personality is very easy-going, go-with-the-flow, and I do not enjoy intense schedules or structure. We are definitely at two opposite ends of the spectrum!

So if essentially everything was the same and equal when we were growing up, what explains the difference in our personalities? In our case, I would have to argue that it is definitely nature. Nature holds true in my situation because even though the majority of our lives were the same, in the same environment with the same upbringing etc, we turned out to be two totally different people with different personalities, thoughts and feelings. If nurture was the case, we would have grown up to have much more similar personalities, and would have the same thoughts and opinions etc. on various topics; there would be not much to distinguish between the two of us much beyond physical appearance.

Nature may not be the case in every sibling’s situation, but it is definitely the case when it comes to my sister and I. Even though our personalities have definitely clashed here or there along the way, I’d say we balance each other out pretty well, most of the time!