NationStates Jolt Archive

"I still believe, in spite of everything, that people are truly good at heart."
-Anne Frank
vs.

"And then came, as if to my final and irrevocable overthrow, the spirit of PERVERSENESS. Of this spirit philosophy takes no account. Yet I am not more sure that my soul lives, than I am that perverseness is one of the primitive impulses of the human heart --one of the indivisible primary faculties, or sentiments, which give direction to the character of Man. Who has not, a hundred times, found himself committing a vile or a silly action, for no other reason than because he knows he should not? Have we not a perpetual inclination, in the teeth of our best judgment, to violate that which is Law, merely because we understand it to be such? This spirit of perverseness, I say, came to my final overthrow. It was this unfathomable longing of the soul to vex itself --to offer violence to its own nature --to do wrong for the wrong's sake only --that urged me to continue"
-The Black Cat by Edgar Allen Poe

Essentially, do you believe people are good or evil at heart? Why?

People are neither good nor evil, we are animals. We evolved along the same evolutionary chain as most of the great apes, and at our most basic levels we still have the same drives; to reproduce, survive and dominate.

Domination tends to be the one that gets in the way, because while fine for living in the wild and squabbling over berries, it does not transfer well to society. Take most of history's evil dictators, as well as the rapists, murderers etc.

...

In essence, humanity is not by any means evil. However, we have proven we are not beacons of good as well. If you break down Human work, it is all down to basic survivalist instincts. Humans are by nature survivalists, neither good nor evil. They are cunning, and will do what is neccessary to gain ahead their competition (which at many times are other humans).

Good and evil are social constructs whose interpretations are different in different cultures.

Human nature is essentially selfish; we are ever seeking more pleasure through the attainment of material goods and human affection.

That is not to say that altruism is incompatible with the human condition. Some people get a great amount of joy out of helping others, and most do to some extent. This is probably an evolutionary adaptation that allowed humans to form societies, which were and are ultimately beneficial to nearly all individuals.

At heart, people are neutral. Some good, some evil, some undecided - it makes for a confusing world. But it's easier to deal with than thinking that people are basically good while you're being marched of to Auschwitz.

Good and evil are social constructs whose interpretations are different in different cultures.

Human nature is essentially selfish; we are ever seeking more pleasure through the attainment of material goods and human affection.

That is not to say that altruism is incompatible with the human condition. Some people get a great amount of joy out of helping others, and most do to some extent. This is probably an evolutionary adaptation that allowed humans to form societies, which were and are ultimately beneficial to nearly all individuals.
Excellently phrased. I'll agree with you on this one.