NationStates Jolt Archive

linking to This (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4766490.stm) article, it seems humans are born altruistic, apart from just throwing the whole original sin thing out of the window, thoughts on this?

FYI the title is a quote from hitchhikers guide I just felt it suited the possible implications of the story quite well.

*Sigh*

I've never understood why middle of the road people who say we should be tolerant of all people and all actions then make such an issue trying to 'disprove' God.

If we're all friendly and respect other peoples views, can we stop all the 'Why Christians are complete morons' threads?

I'm sure there'll be someone around before long pointing out that it was god who instilled human babies with the urge to help. Where else would they get it from, otherwise? ;)

I'm sure there'll be someone around before long pointing out that it was god who instilled human babies with the urge to help. Where else would they get it from, otherwise? ;)

But what about free will?

But what about free will?

I'm the wrong person to ask, I couldn't care either way ;)

I never understood how free will, omnipotence and omniscience can be logically compatible.

This study doesn't indicate anything about the way people are born. It indicates that, by a year and a half, people have developed the capacity to say "My God, that man over there with the box flap is an idiot. Maybe If I get that spoon for him he'll go away before he drools on something important."

Original sin doesn't mean we're all trying to destroy the world naturally :/.. Besides, the Bible says we have a concience anyway, I don't see a problem here.

This study doesn't indicate anything about the way people are born. It indicates that, by a year and a half, people have developed the capacity to say "My God, that man over there with the box flap is an idiot. Maybe If I get that spoon for him he'll go away before he drools on something important."
Or it could have been a matter of 'Hey, a spoon! I can use that to pick up my poop and flick it at the big dumb clumsy guy who keeps dropping things!'

Original sin doesn't mean we're all trying to destroy the world naturally :/.. Besides, the Bible says we have a concience anyway, I don't see a problem here.
Well of course you wouldn't, I'll bet you also haven't even assembled a list of all the reasons that Christians are t3h 3vil. Filthy non-extremist, with your filthy logic and your filthy sources and your filthy logical-sourcing.
Filthy.

linking to This (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4766490.stm) article, it seems humans are born altruistic.
One could argue that it's not altruistic, but rather it could be an built-in survival instinct. The infant, by 'helping' an adult, it may make the adult more likely to look after the infant.
It could help build or maintain a bond between the child and adult.

Well of course you wouldn't, I'll bet you also haven't even assembled a list of all the reasons that Christians are t3h 3vil. Filthy non-extremist, with your filthy logic and your filthy sources and your filthy logical-sourcing.
Filthy.

OhMyGoodness, that made me laugh out loud.

I'm glad I'm not altruistic or tolerant, otherwise I'd be a hypocrite.

I didn't read the whole aritcle but isn't it possible that the kids learned some of the behavior from their parents?

I didn't read the whole aritcle but isn't it possible that the kids learned some of the behavior from their parents?


I didn't read this article about the study, but the study article I did read mentioned that the researcher withheld asking for help, and refused to say 'thank you' or any other type of 'praise' for a behavior type response, in an attempt to remove the possibility that they were learning to perform the behavior from him.

I think he pretty much proved that 18 month old children are generally capable of altruistic behaviors, but not where they get it from. Of course, I think he could have simply asked any mother or day care worker that deals with children that age and he could have found out the same thing and saved himself a lot of effort :p

I'm just kidding. The study proves what was already assumed to be true, but not all presumptions end up correct so they still have to be 'proven' to advance the study of toddler behavior/psychology.

I didn't read this article about the study, but the study article I did read mentioned that the researcher withheld asking for help, and refused to say 'thank you' or any other type of 'praise' for a behavior type response, in an attempt to remove the possibility that they were learning to perform the behavior from him.

I think he pretty much proved that 18 month old children are generally capable of altruistic behaviors, but not where they get it from. Of course, I think he could have simply asked any mother or day care worker that deals with children that age and he could have found out the same thing and saved himself a lot of effort :p

I'm just kidding. The study proves what was already assumed to be true, but not all presumptions end up correct so they still have to be 'proven' to advance the study of toddler behavior/psychology.

I have a bit of experience with toddler behavior because my wife has done daycare for 25 years and some little ones don't show much helping behavior and others do. I just think that the behavior is learned from birth or shortly after in homes that nuture children. It is not learned in home that neglect children. Once again I did not read the whole article but ai suspect that the sample is too small and needs to have children from less healthy homes.

Kids may be helpful at that age but ive also seen kids that age take toys away from another kid and hit them with it. Does that mean babies are born evil.

Kids may be helpful at that age but ive also seen kids that age take toys away from another kid and hit them with it. Does that mean babies are born evil.

LOL! I think my wife had some of those evil kids in her daycare. I think kids are born with potential.

Kids may be helpful at that age but ive also seen kids that age take toys away from another kid and hit them with it. Does that mean babies are born evil.
Yes, yes it does. Their souls must be consumed for the greater good of society.

Yes, yes it does. Their souls must be consumed for the greater good of society.
MMMMMMMMMMMMMM Baby soul Can i have the soul from the crack baby it always taste so decadent

Well let's look at the failure here...

Original Sin does not mean everyone starts out as an evil bastard. Which renders your whole point moot really.

It means that every human is karmically laden (easiest explanation) with the sin of Adam. Doesn't mean the individual is a sinner but that the sin gets handed on, kinda like re-using a nappy ;)

Well let's look at the failure here...

Original Sin does not mean everyone starts out as an evil bastard. Which renders your whole point moot really.

It means that every human is karmically laden (easiest explanation) with the sin of Adam. Doesn't mean the individual is a sinner but that the sin gets handed on, kinda like re-using a nappy ;)
But I thought the New Testament did away with sons being responsible for the sins of the father -- if Adam is the original progenitor (or father), how, and WHY -- are we all responsible?

FYI the title is a quote from hitchhikers guide I just felt it suited the possible implications of the story quite well.
Sorry to be a bastard, but take off the "then" from your title and you'll have the correct quote. I know, I know, what a nitpicking wanker I am, but I've been reading and listening to The Guide since 1981. I can quote chapter and verse (pardon the pun).

Please accept my apology, but the nit-picking lobe in my brain compelled me.

Well let's look at the failure here...

Original Sin does not mean everyone starts out as an evil bastard. Which renders your whole point moot really.

It means that every human is karmically laden (easiest explanation) with the sin of Adam. Doesn't mean the individual is a sinner but that the sin gets handed on, kinda like re-using a nappy ;)

Just wondering where in the Bible can one find the concept of Orginal Sin???

i think wat really needs to be established is are we basing this thread off of the bible-- im agnostic-- dont really care for religion at all, but i believe that there is some sort of supreme being, least supreme to me ;)-- but if we look at this in bible terms then it is tru, original sin was "done away with" in a sense with the crucifiction of Jesus-- bringing about the higher law of repentance rather than sacrifice.

i dont really know if i am making sense, but as i interpret the bible, the sin of Adam could no longer be "passed down" with christ-- so why not look at the standard question
Did god create man? or did man create god?

Original Sin is also bullshit (IMO). I was just pointing out that where people do believe in it, it takes a form which is unnafected by the original poster's logic.

In fact, purgatory, predestination and many other theories so lovingly held by various bits of the church are also bullshit in terms of the bible.

I find a combination of logic and careful examination of the bible makes things a lot clearer than the mythology spouted by the Catholic Church.

Kids may be helpful at that age but ive also seen kids that age take toys away from another kid and hit them with it. Does that mean babies are born evil.
It's not an "either/or" situation. The study concludes altruism, but says nothing about "evil".

Original Sin is also bullshit (IMO). I was just pointing out that where people do believe in it, it takes a form which is unnafected by the original poster's logic.

In fact, purgatory, predestination and many other theories so lovingly held by various bits of the church are also bullshit in terms of the bible.

I find a combination of logic and careful examination of the bible makes things a lot clearer than the mythology spouted by the Catholic Church.

Orginal sin i believe can be layed in the lap of St Augustine. can't be found in the bible as far as I know. I believe your assesment of purgatory and predestination are also correct cant be found in the bible or the Koran for that matter.

*Sigh*

I've never understood why middle of the road people who say we should be tolerant of all people and all actions then make such an issue trying to 'disprove' God.

If we're all friendly and respect other peoples views, can we stop all the 'Why Christians are complete morons' threads?

As an athiest, I do make a point of defending my beliefs and engaging in intelligent, respectful debates. However, I would never refer to Christians as "morons." Some christians might be morons, but others might aslo be very clever. I think religious debates are very healthy things. As long as things stay respectful (eg: saying "I don't believe in god" rather than "God doesn't exists, idiot!"), debates can help us question our own beliefs and explore the beliefs of others. I am sorry, however, if you have ever felt attacked by the words of myself or any other athiest. It's never my intention to hurt anyone.

As for the article, I think it's great. I've always seen humans as naturally good, and this just backs up my beliefs.

MMMMMMMMMMMMMM Baby soul Can i have the soul from the crack baby it always taste so decadent

You may have some common forms of punctuation, such as question marks, commas, and periods. It looks as though you may be all out.

You may have some common forms of punctuation, such as question marks, commas, and periods. It looks as though you may be all out.
That's not all he's out of....