A man may choose not to fulfill the requirements of his psychological nature, but he cannot live normally that way. It is not normal for a human being to live as a parasite, stealing or mooching from others who produce what his life requires, like a bloodsucker or louse. It is not normal for a human being to live as a pet or a slave of others, living on handouts from those he acts to please. It is not normal for a human being to live like a plant, depending on accident or luck, waiting for nature, fortune, or God to provide the things he needs to live and enjoy his life. These ways of living are normal for some organism, because it is their nature, it is not man's nature, however, and no man living contrary to his nature can live successfully or enjoy his life.
Any conclusion is easily reached when you start from a compatible premise a priori. Clear observable evidence not only does not support the contention above, but it directly contradicts it. Modern societies might be affluent enough to make the above true, but primitive tribal man depended dramatically on the group for survival. Individualism is a luxury of the comfortable (one reason we should be attempting to raise the standard of living for everyone). Humanity has always lived as parasites, whether from the land, the animals inhabiting it, or the other poor bastards who lived there first. Would this be true in a "perfect world"? Of course not. But you are the one who emphasizes observation, and history disproves your theory wholeheartedly. Show me the "normal" society based on the above dictums in history!
What makes America great is that it is decidedly NOT normal. It is a sparkling blip in human history; one of the few moments when human beings can live in freedom and prosperity. The idea that somehow freedom is "normal" smacks of the philosophies of the left, which declare that any change to the traditions and institutions of America can be made without destroying what makes America so unique in human history. Freedom is not "normal", which is why it is so precious!
Both your definition of "normal" and of "human nature" are incredibly arbitrary, and are based on philosophical theory, not "observation." All humanity might yearn to be free (in fact, most people don't... the pack instinct we inherited from our distant ancestors still manefests itself in myriad ways), but most are content to live within the bounds of society. Many will even reject freedom, as freedom is often less comfortable and less secure. That is why oppressive governments are so easily established and so long maintained, even by those who are oppressed. Your "observations", sir, are fantasy...
What I was describing are the requirements of human nature to live according to that nature. There was no contention that most men do it, or even try to. Most people spend their entire lives living in defiance of the requirements of their own nature, and the results are obvious in our society today, and in the world throughout history. In that sense, you are right that America as "abnormal" (in the usual, common, sense), but in the sense that it is the first place in history where men were free to fully and completely live normally, that is, true to the requirements of there rational volitional nature, it is the exhibition of what men are when completely sane and normal. Even in America, most men sell their freedom to the first religion or politician who comes along promising them security and easy answers.
Both your definition of "normal" and of "human nature" are incredibly arbitrary ...
Since aristotle, man has been "arbitrarily" defined as the rational animal, and rationalaity is only an aspect of that which really distinguishes man from all other creatures, the necessity and ability to choose all of one's behavior consciously. The observation that man's nature is volitional is hardly arbitrary, and certainly not original, being over 2000 years old.
Yes, most men do despise freedom. As George Barnard Shaw wrote, "Liberty means responsibility. That is why most men dread it."
Hank