Final answer:
In Mark Twain's 'Extracts From Adam's Diary', Adam believes he ruined the world due to the inherent sin of human nature, highlighting themes of inherited sin and questioning divine foreknowledge versus human free will.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Mark Twain's work "Extracts From Adam's Diary," Adam concludes that it was his own fault to ruin the world because of the inherent flaw of human nature, which is the proclivity to sin—a concept mirrored in the Biblical account of the Fall. The text suggests a complex understanding of fault and responsibility, weaving together themes of free will, predestination, and the consequences of one's actions. Twain's Adam reflects on the broader question of why individuals, and humanity at large, are punished for actions which seem to have been known in advance by a divine creator.
The struggle with inherited sin and the question of divine foreknowledge versus human free will are central themes explored by Twain. This dilemma, wherein God knows the future yet allows individuals to enact their own choices, leads to various interpretations regarding accountability and punishment. The theme of personal responsibility despite divine omniscience is emphasized through the narrative of Adam, who seems to accept his role in the supposed ruination of the world.