it's human nature to go against nature

Political equality is against nature. Social equality is against nature. Economic equality is against nature. The idea of equality is subversive of order.

-Edmund Burke

I don't know much about Edmund Burke, other than that he was one of the few members of Parliament to vocally support American independence; I'm guessing that here he was being either satirical, or a disingenuous asshole. Because "because it's against nature" just tied with "because the Bible says so" as the Worst Argument In Favor Of/Against Something Of All Time.

Humans go "against nature" on a daily -- hell, on a minute-by-minute -- basis. Wearing shoes, living in houses, air-conditioning, computers, and drinking Diet Coke chemically sweetened with phenylalanine are just a few of the literally millions of things we do that are "against" nature. Going against nature -- against the raw, unfettered animal instincts that dominated our distant ancestors' brains -- is what raised us up out of the muck. It is the defining characteristic of humanity.

To compose a symphony is against nature. To rescue a stranger who is drowning or has fallen onto a subway track is against nature. To grow surplus food that allows your tribe to stay in one place and build a city is against nature.

Here's to going against nature. We should all do it more often.