NationStates Jolt Archive

Do you think that humans are inhrently good or bad?

Essentially good, capable of great evil.

I believe that humans are inherently selfish, and this leads to cultural waves and societal systems and yadda yadda yadda.

Evil is a point of view. The mouse believes that the cat is evil for trying to eat it. The cat believes the mouse is evil for running away.

The rapee believes the rapist is evil for taking advantage of them. The rapist believes the rapee is evil for being weak, or sexual, or something or other.

Whatever the prevailing societal viewpoint happens to be at the time determins the definition of good and evil.

We create the definitions of Good and Evil and span the whole spectrum in between.

Hasn't this topic been done before? I am pretty sure I replied in a thread just like this last night.

i think every person is good although most show the evil side more than the good side :)

Dan' humans. Kill 'em all I say we could do with a nice rapture.

Depends inherently on the individual, and if they choose to persue courses of action that lead to consequences that they believe are good or evil.

We create the definitions of Good and Evil and span the whole spectrum in between.
Here is my one exception. DC, being a throwback to neolithic times, is inherently evil :D

Both. We define what is "good", what is "evil" collectively.... then individually decide where we are going to fall in that spectrum.

(Free will and all that.)

Assuming that by "good" you mean lawful and kind-hearted, then humans are evil, inherently. Before we're taught that different things are right and wrong, we're all just born to be hapless apes out for no other reason than to survive and [expletive deleted].

i agree with Riptide Monzarc in that alot of it has to do with veiw point
i've seen a lot of situations where there were at least 3 different sides of an argument and they all thought the other 2 were being mean and selfish and that they were the only ones doing the right thing
but we do have the potential to be evil, but if we do it conciously, it is a choise
we can chose to be anything we want to be
but sometimes things will happen in effect to what we do that are different then the out come we want and can be seen as evil intent
i would hope that all of us try to do the right thing (i know i try... and don't always suceed) but thats not how it always turns out

Good and evil are just output for man's need to classify all things...

However, by their definitions, I'm forced to think that humans are not generally one or the other. As personalities can range infinitely so can views on ethics. I myself consider myself to be generally good as I cannot stand seeing people in despair and do anything to help them. In the end, however, the majority of people are corrupt and selfish and there's nothing you can do to help it.

Human beings are self-absorbed. Their biggest priority is themselves. Therefore, yes, in fact, humans are pure evil.

Humans are very chemical and egocentric... few humans a empathetic enough to understand the intention of others....this is why most wars occur....if children grow up in such a chaotic environment, it is possible that even more adults will become misled, and misguided in the ways of understanding others. This makes us develop differing morals, and a barrier to correct communication... humans are not evil, they are simply following natural impulses to be greedy, and are doing what they think is right...the behaviour is evil rather than the individual.

Kill your god; kill your T.V.

Humans are inherently human. The tendency of the individual to go toward good and evil is more a matter of momentum than anything else. If you start out your life seeking to gain at the expense of others, you aren't going to end up good without a major turn around.

Neither.

The topic should read:

Humans: Stupid.

No question, no nothing. Just the plain truth.

The terms "Good" and "Evil" are simply human moral constructs designed to keep the populus in check. This is "evil", don't do it. It's arbitrary.

This is clearly demonstrated by the ways different cultures and religions have defined morality and "good/evil". Also, a great deal of variation occurs for the individual.

To take an example from the other thread:

To the general public, a child molester appears evil. But to that molester, he clearly sees nothing wrong with it, i.e. good. Same with, say, Hitler. Though most people today agree he was evil, to thoes who did (and still do) truly support his ideas, he is good. It's all very arbitrary and has great variation.

prety damn good if yo ask me

Humans are not evil their just drawn that way.

Do you think that humans are inhrently good or bad?

Depends on their political views. ;)

I'd like to believe that most people are good, I really would, but I don't think that there is such a thing as a truly selfless act (ie people will only help if there's some gain for themselves in helping) so therefore i'm going to come down on the side of 'evil' if only for want of a less strong word...self absorbed perhaps?

Do you think that humans are inhrently good or bad?

Having the inherant propensity to selfishness/evil. This can only be overcome or held in check by the interposition of the Divine.

Humans are not evil their just drawn that way.

As far as evil means selfish, greedy and narrow minded, humans are evil.

In the immortal words of Hobbes:

"I choose crazy."

There is no "good", nor is there "evil". We invented these word to try to describe "temptation", and weather we give into it or not. I mean, not many have not been tempted to do "evil" things. If we give into them, are we evil? And if we don't, are we good? I prefer to think of it as "strong-willed" or not. :mp5: