Some argue that possibilities for a world without war, environmental destruction and inequality are limited by “human nature.” My remarks will dispute this notion and argue that human nature is neither biologically nor divinely determined. Furthermore if we see it as our task to alter human nature as it seems to manifest itself today, we can open up new options for a just and sustainable society.

David Ranney is Professor Emeritus in the College of Urban Planning and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois Chicago. He received his BA degree at Dartmouth College and his PhD at Syracuse University. Professor Ranney has also been a factory worker, a labor and community organizer and an activist academic.  He is the author of four books and numerous articles and monographs on issues of employment, labor and community organizing and U.S. trade policy.  In addition to his writing, he gives lectures on economic policy and politics and also finds time to be an actor and director in a small community theatre. He is married and has a son, daughter-in-law and two granddaughters. He splits his time between Chicago, Illinois and Washington Island, Wisconsin.