Nature vs Nurture

Are you a naturalist or a nurturalist?

I've been plunged into a raging debate by choosing to read a book by Steven Pinker called "The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature". Until now, I was unaware that in academic circles nature has been downplayed in favour of nurture.

As an individual, as a father and now as a grandfather, I ascribe more significance to nature than nurture.

In line with the differentiation shown in this blip image, I have grown up seeing the natural essence as "I" and the accidental, nurtural thing as the personality. One does not change, the other changes with the impact of everything external.

Out of this comes the big question: how do we cultivate essence in the shadow of the dominating personality?