People: Evil or Good Options

[USCavalry]

Are people inherently good or evil? If there is another topic on this screw you it’s old and dead.

i believe everyone is good myself. when people do things, you can explain why they did it, good or evil (which really doesnt support either side of the arguement). but when i couple this notion with my catholic beliefs and take into consideration that sin is the sole reason for evil, humans there for cannot be blamed for any evil things they do.

so far i've made it clear how i see humans not to be evil, but not necessarily good. my gut feelings tell me that there is hope for all people, no matter how "evil" they might be. also, catholics believe that everyhing God created was good (not sure if this includes things not included in genesis and what comes after, ie angels or w/e you can think of).

i have more to say but will wait and see for others' comments

[MissFits]

Honestly, I think when talking about all people everyone needs to check religious beliefs at the door.

If you look at it from a "no higher power" perspective you see that people kill people. People rape small children. Those are not acts that good people do.
Now, what makes these people bad? Nature or nurture?
I'd say a bit of both. It's human nature to be a little violent in some situations. Not everyone runs when their fight or flight response kicks in (I know I sure don't)and in extreme cases wouldn't that mean if you aren't running you will have to kill to defend yourself?

But, there are people that search out killing other people. Why do they do it?
A lot of killers blame their upbringings for what they do, but their are some that say it was innate. Some say they were cared for greatly, they were never abused, but from a young age they have had the desire to kill. The desire grows so strong in some people that they take risks that they wouldn't take and get caught.

To answer your question I think it's a mix of both. I think some people would have been good but due to bad parenting or traumatic experiences they are now bad. Other people, in my opinion, were born evil.

[brooklyneast05]

but when i couple this notion with my catholic beliefs and take into consideration that sin is the sole reason for evil, humans there for cannot be blamed for any evil things they do.

this sentence confused me. who do u blame?

[BeCoolHoneyBunny]

False Dichotomy.

So sayeth, Nate.

[MissFits]

I know this is really off topic but
I f**kING LOVE YOUR NAME
Pulp Fiction is great.

Okay, I am sorry for spamming. I'm done now.

[brooklyneast05]

False Dichotomy.

yeah, seriously

[karmakiller]

People are evil things that sometimes do good things.

[USCavalry]

this sentence confused me. who do u blame?

i blame "God" essentially since he created everything. Though sin is the root of evil according to christianity, so this is like one of his few more evil like creations along with satan. (wouldn't have been sin but adam and eve got curious - wouldnt have been the devil had he not defied God). simply put, sin is the issue.

i liked your post missfits. made sense and i like your perspective and really can't argue w/ it easily. i see how religion might sway this topic into an arguement on whether people are good or evil with in a roman catholic context, but i don't intend this. in my first post i only meant to provide reasoning behind my opinion

[MissHygienic]

People are evil things that sometimes do good things.

Probably the smartest thing I've heard in a while.

This has already been answered by Locke. If there weren't critical consequences, taboos, and restrictions set, we would all be selfish and rude. When put in difficult situations, you usually see the downside of people's personality, and how many of those have you enjoyed? I can say that I know my friends only after they've become angry at me. You know exactly how they will react, then.

You know how you're more likely to tell your close friends off and calling them names as opposed to strangers? It's because with familiarity comes with the unveiling of your true character. There's no facade you need to keep up; you take for granted that they will always be your close friends and your loved ones no matter what.

Take for the internet for example. When you're no one to anybody else, people can say whatever the hell they want because they can. People take every chance they can to attack others. They can pretend to act "badass" to compensate for their weak-willed character in real life.

[MissFits]

i liked your post missfits. made sense and i like your perspective and really can't argue w/ it easily. i see how religion might sway this topic into an arguement on whether people are good or evil with in a roman catholic context, but i don't intend this. in my first post i only meant to provide reasoning behind my opinion

Evil people like serial killers are my specialty. I am obsessed. It's probably unhealthy, but it's my very favorite thing to talk about.
I understand what you were doing, but I think once you mention God it sways thing in such a way that no one can ever agree.
I hope that made sense.

[Call911Quick]

Yes, leave religion out of this thread.

I believe people are inherently evil. You don't need to teach a kid how to steal or be greedy, but you need to teach a kid to share.

We do good because of our conscience, which isn't what most people think it is (imo). I believe our conscience is what links us humans together as a species. Thus, when you see a fellow human in danger, you could be compelled to assist them. But seeing as how everyone's different, only some people have a conscience.

[brooklyneast05]

Yes, leave religion out of this thread.

that's pretty much impossible. as stated before, that changes things completely, i don't know how we can leave it out.

[Spirited Away]

Blank slate.

[Spirited Away]

Yes, leave religion out of this thread.

I believe people are inherently evil. You don't need to teach a kid how to steal or be greedy, but you need to teach a kid to share.

We do good because of our conscience, which isn't what most people think it is (imo). I believe our conscience is what links us humans together as a species. Thus, when you see a fellow human in danger, you could be compelled to assist them. But seeing as how everyone's different, only some people have a conscience.

I'd like to challenge you up on this. You don't need to teach a kid how to steal or be greedy? If you think that kids can learn to share by observing the world around them, then why is it so impossible for kids to learn to steal also by observing their environment?

[kryogenix]

Probably the smartest thing I've heard in a while.

This has already been answered by Locke. If there weren't critical consequences, taboos, and restrictions set, we would all be selfish and rude. When put in difficult situations, you usually see the downside of people's personality, and how many of those have you enjoyed? I can say that I know my friends only after they've become angry at me. You know exactly how they will react, then.

You know how you're more likely to tell your close friends off and calling them names as opposed to strangers? It's because with familiarity comes with the unveiling of your true character. There's no facade you need to keep up; you take for granted that they will always be your close friends and your loved ones no matter what.

Take for the internet for example. When you're no one to anybody else, people can say whatever the hell they want because they can. People take every chance they can to attack others. They can pretend to act "badass" to compensate for their weak-willed character in real life.

Ummmmm... That's the TOTAL OPPOSITE of what Locke thought.

Locke thought that people were inherently good in nature and only through society they became evil.

[MissHygienic]

Ummmmm... That's the TOTAL OPPOSITE of what Locke thought.

Locke thought that people were inherently good in nature and only through society they became evil.

Uh, you're talking about Rousseau. I have a good understanding of my philosophers.

"Rousseau saw a fundamental divide between society and human nature. Rousseau believed that man was good when in the state of nature (the state of all other animals, and the condition humankind was in before the creation of civilization and society), but is corrupted by society."

[kryogenix]

Uh, you're talking about Rousseau. I have a good understanding of my philosophers.

"Rousseau saw a fundamental divide between society and human nature. Rousseau believed that man was good when in the state of nature (the state of all other animals, and the condition humankind was in before the creation of civilization and society), but is corrupted by society."

Evidently you don't. You've told me nothing other than you know how to use wikipedia somewhat. You're looking for Thomas Hobbes.

A Comparison of their ideas in easy to understand form

[MissHygienic]

Evidently you don't. You've told me nothing other than you know how to use wikipedia somewhat. You're looking for Thomas Hobbes.

A Comparison of their ideas in easy to understand form

Oh, oops. I forgot about him. I meant Hobbes, then.

[*Steven*]

It depends if they roll alliance or horde.

[Spirited Away]

But with Hobbes and the absence of law or cultural institutions, when people are rude, and whatnot, it is for the sake of survival(state of nature). A person telling his/her friend off, is not on account of Hobbes, rather it's on account of comfort and security that we're more liberal with our friends.

[kryogenix]

But with Hobbes and the absence of law or cultural institutions, when people are rude, and whatnot, it is for the sake of survival(state of nature). A person telling his/her friend off, is not on account of Hobbes, rather it's on account of comfort and security that we're more liberal with our friends.

I said Hobbes based on her statement:

This has already been answered by Locke. If there weren't critical consequences, taboos, and restrictions set, we would all be selfish and rude.

We'd all be assholes if we didn't have society to put us in our place.

[Spirited Away]

I said Hobbes based on her statement:
We'd all be assholes if we didn't have society to put us in our place.

Yes, I know =) I am responding to when she agreed with you that it was Hobbes.

edit.. ps... i still owe you pictures, don't i... i'll demand my brother for them (from his camera).

[USCavalry]

It depends if they roll alliance or horde.

XD 70 pally twisting nether btw :)
(need to make a horde... evil humans)

[Simba]

This debate is most common between people who believe that when you die, either, a) just shrivel up into dust or b) go to heaven or hell, or something like that.

But what if you believe in reincarnation?

Just for kicks. =P There's hardly any people here that do though, if any, but hey.

[ersatz]

Well, those people would say that there is inherent evil, and one must do good karma in order to overcome that evil, no?