Is Human Nature Basically Good or Evil?

I think that the basic nature of humans is neither good nor evil, but, without nurture, would act on animal instinct. We act in order to protect and preserve ourselves first. It is consciousness of our actions and how they affect our environment that leads us to 'right' action and 'for the greater good' stuff. So basically, we are either conscious humans or unconscious humans. That's very brief and I could probably go into more depth. I don't think anyone intends to hurt anyone else and I think when we act rashly or in rudely, it is merely animal instinct.

Although, I believe this wholeheartedly, I am perplexed by the sociopath who is very conscious of how actions affect environment, yet continue to intentionally hurt others for no reason other than the satisfaction it gives them. In my opinion, that may be the only true evil in human nature.

Most people are decent in my views, but when money gets in the way, you find out who the @ssh*les are. My problem @ work is, I genuinely try to help someone, but shortly after it becomes apparent the task/problem brought to me is well beyond that person, if not even myself. They are dumping the project and if there's any credit to be taken it's one-sided. I had to laugh, one project I got an "at-a-boy" on and an email was sent out to that effect. There were some that made snide remarks. I replied, Well, it's not like I got paid any more money for it or got a promotion, it only means the next time it needs to be done, I'll be the first one that they come to and there won't be any more reward for it that day either.

Evil. You dont have to teach us how to be mean selfish lie lazy greedy etc. Children have to be taught not to do these things.

It needs to be what the herd needs it to be. When you upset the herd there are bad respones because the hernd needs to function as a group. Thats it.

We look back at Hilter and say hes evil. The people in Germany did not see it that way at the time. He was a hero. He brought together his herd.

So it depends on a society's perceotion of the events and what it does to that society at the time.

That's correct.

I would say that human nature is "self serving", and I suppose that would fit most people's idea of "evil"...

Gee, I haven't struggled with this question since seminary!
There I studied the history of how life is a constant struggle to tame our inherent evil ("Flesh") nature and the only way to conquer this was to remain in the "Spirit." There remain major disagreements among the Western denominations, indeed all world religions, to this day about such philosophical questions. Where you find some who think they have discovered the "answer" you will also find "doubting Thomases." When you say "what experience, perception or insight has shaped your view" that is like saying your position is in favor of the "Nurture" argument to which there is considerable merit. The "Nature" argument, when taken to its basic element, is survival of the fittest and all non-human creatures on earth are there for human consumption. IMO, it depends on how you view such things as killing deer, for example, in order to feed your family as "natural" or as "un-natural."

When I was a little tyke, I learned first hand that nature is not "fair" to helpless creatures. There are plenty of examples in today's world that proves that humans, who are separated from animals only by the capability to think and not act on total instinct, if given the opportunity, will take advantage of lesser-equipped persons. Isn't that what the whole competition thing is about? Without it, what would we be? Imagine your favorite sport without competition.

I twice applied for a Social Work position back in the day when I tried to find a "good, human-serving" job. The only thing I did differently between the 1st and 2nd exam and interview was to answer that people are basically "bad" in the second. One of the interviewers followed me out in to the hall afterwards and told me to apply again as I was their 2nd choice.

Try to be fair and friendly to everyone whose path you cross each day, and chances are your "human nature" will at some point take over and you will piss somebody off.

Have a nice day!

Generally, I have to agree with naughty about this one. Though, I think we have to be careful about what we call "evil". In the most primitive conditions we commit all sorts of evil acts because they are necessary for our own individual survival and that of the species. If it is necessary for survival, is it evil? I think so. Civilization teaches us to be good (but only so far as we can afford to be). If resources become scarce or danger is perceived, evil acts become the norm.

Is Human Nature Basically Good or Evil?

Quote:

Originally Posted by earllogjam What is your view on this?

I know it's naive but I believe the nature of most humans to be basically good. It is one's life experiences which make a person evil. So until someone shows me otherwise I like to believe all people are good deep inside.

Yes, this belief sometimes bites me in the ass and I get my feelings hurt. It doesn't happen as often as you might think, given the state of the world today.

The question is rather biased in that the opposite of good is bad rather than evil.

Some might think of themselves as being good for campaigning against abortion or the Gay right to marry, whilst others would consider them bad. I think universal goodness is a philosophical idea rather than a practical reality within the human condition. Though humans are capable of remarkable things, purely good and bad.

Are people generally motivated to make the world a better place, or their place in the world better? Probably the latter on balance.

People, starting as babies, are inherently good but they can be corrupted by custom, greed and religion or by circumstances where the question is not good, bad or evil but survival. And that viewpoint is relative, standing on my side of the ocean, tracks or circumstance.

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.

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.

This sounds good. But children can be downright cruel to each other. So not so sure about 'inherently good'. A lot of not so nice things are built in.

You cannot live without both good and evil, the chinese knew this well.

Heres a simple example of why we cannot live with good alone in our lives:
Imagine if there was always daylight and never any night, you would miss out on the sunrise and the sunset.

lafever

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.

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.

Humans start off as a blank slate. Because we're social creatures, we develop mindsets based on the social condition that surrounds us. Man in neither good nor evil - he simply exists.