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Originally Posted by earllogjam  Wow, good reading here ... such a wide variety of responses.
I've been thinking about this one for a while and have come to the conclusion that human nature is determined not so much by an individual but rather how that individual is treated. It is a karmic reaction of sorts. People who are not loved are less likely to love or even capable of giving love, more likely to harbor hate and evil. People who have been showered with love have a greater propensity to give love, to be good natured. |
So, you believe that "nurture" wins out over "nature." I am inclined to agree with that up to the point where one of us gets "cornered" with no way out. Flight or fight is a conscious decision but our inherent nature is mammals fighting for survival.
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Originally Posted by earllogjam I believe being altruisitic is hardwired into us because we are social creatures by nature and being good to others conveys a survival advantage. Social groups can be evil towards one another but within the group they show good nature to each other. Good human nature is taught and can only exist in a social group, bound by the need for others. It is the lube that make societies work. It is what separates men from animals. It is necessary for our survival. And good cannot exist without evil so we must have evil. |
I agree with the altruistic part of your comment but even within our own "groups" politics is at work and someone eventually gets shit on and often, groups disband over the most simple of disagreements. Some form new groups and some don't. It is not necessary for individual survival to belong to a group. But getting into semantics over what exactly constitutes a group could go on forever.
P.S> If you are saying that being altruistic separates humans from animals, fine. Otherwise, some of the most predatory animals travel in groups so being part of a group does not separate animals from humans.