Are people evil by nature?

[saint808]

well? whaddya think?

 

[manny78]

They aren'T. Society makes them evil in some ways.

 

[Warik]

Guess which one I chose.

-Warik

 

[gymtime]

People have the capacity for both evil and good. IMO, most people lean toward good. If this were not the case, I don't think we'd have lasted this long as a species.

 

[strider364]

I agree that humans have both good and evil present within themselves. I think we choose what we do with both of them. Some lean towards goo, some evil. Some can even use evil tendencies for good, or use good tendencies for evil. It's all choice.

 

[danielson]

Guess which one I chose.

-Warik

torn between yes and doesnt matter


which one did you choose

 

[saint808]

something has to jade us tho right? I dunno... hell that is why i aksed i guess...

 

[GaryWary]

Money is the root of all evil ...as the saying goes.

 

[Raina]

I believe that humans are like any other animals and have a core drive towards self-preservation above all else. I think that humans are more evil than other animals...or at least have potential to be.

 

[WODIN]

Good and evil are simply perceptions and judgements of any event.

 

[HighIntensity]

saint don't you know the dark side drives us to evil, use the force.

 

[saint808]

Good and evil are simply perceptions and judgements of any event.

so there is no true reality.... only perceptions?

 

[Poemmaker]

Evil Evil, this I say
Is among us all most everyday
But there is none more evil, this I'm told
Than that wicked Bastard named ROMAGOLD!!

 

[strider364]

Isn't good and evil ever present universal concepts? Without one we couldn't have the other, so couldn't we say thay evil is created by good and vise versa?

 

[Warik]

torn between yes and doesnt matter


which one did you choose

Yes, of course.

And no, it's not based on subjective criteria - it's based on a universal (well, Earth-i-versal) objectiveness.

Humans consistently do things that they believe are wrong. Does it matter if the things are wrong? No... it matters that the humans BELIEVE the things are wrong.

What is evil? Knowingly doing things that are wrong.

It takes a lot to find someone who doesn't violate his own principles on a consistent basis. I know a few people like that, and I'd never insult them by calling them humans.

-Warik

 

[WODIN]

so there is no true reality.... only perceptions?

No there is true being in the moment once you release all your judgements and perceptions.

 

[Franco C]

Good and Evil only exist after the institution of law is established.

 

[WODIN]

911-help..someone needs their meds...!!!!

LOL! It's true. Look at something and try not to define it or reference it for a while or judge it. Your mind will begin to wonder of course but try.

It's all about the Uncarved Block!

 

[Franco C]

LOL! It's true. Look at something and try not to define it or reference it for a while or judge it. Your mind will begin to wonder of course but try.

It's all about the Uncarved Block!

No, it's all about an institution of law being established, unless you look at it as virtueous type of chivarly, but that is pretty much dead.

 

[gymtime]

To answer the question..yes people are inherently evil...

I disagree. If that were truly the case, we'd have destroyed ourselves ages ago.

 

[gymtime]

(from a darwinian standpoint)the reason why we havn't destroyed ourselves is because we want to survive. so therefore we yield our domination to a colateral goal of civilization.


Just because there is organized crime doesn't make it any less illegal.

I don't think you can have it both ways like that. Evil is evil, if such a thing there be, and it doesn't consider species survival in it's actions. If evil is also selfish by definition, then evil people would be unable to simply "set aside" their natures, for any reason.

 

[katz]

People are inherently good. However, in the work environment it is survival of the fittest. Or shall I say survival of the quickest/deepest backstabber!! Ok, thats the way it was in my previous government job. I remember a newbie telling me ...oh you never say anything nasty about anyone. I mean whats the point I have better things to do with my time. I always praise good work to superiors.

 

[gymtime]

so what you are saying is living to the flesh is not considered evil by definition.

It would be alot easier if you defined what evil is.. Because it is either relative or it isn't...we need a foundation in order to make progress.

If you yourself cannot even define what evil is then how can you have an argument either way?

Very difficult to define because it is, of course, relative. To me, good and evil, God and Satan, whatever, reside solely in the hearts of men, no where else. Money, guns, torture devices, Crazier's sexual aids are not good or evil; they are just things. Good and evil reside in the souls who weild them.

I guess my point is, as to the original question, that if people were truly inherently evil, then survival would be impossible, regardless of the will to survive. I think pure, short-sighted hubris would ultimately override that will.

 

[Franco C]

If you take away an establishment of law, conceptual idealistic myth such as good and evil simply doesn't exist. Strip all the morals of the average citizen and there you have it. Laws determine what is good and evil; which is why people act accordingly to them. Without them you are you and you should never be ashamed of your nature.

 

[gymtime]

There are too many questions that need to be answered by science before I can agree with you.

Far too much philosophy involved in this for science to ever answer completely, IMO. But for now, just agree with me or I'll kill you!!!

 

[visions]

I think people are born pure, and innocent with a good heart.

Psychological events and our environment shape us to become what we are today.

 

[buddy28]

most people are apathetic. Complacency does a great job explaining the current state of the world.

Most people would say complancency is root of all evil. And i would agree.


"evil spreads when good men do nothing""

 

[big4life]

I think that there are some genetic freaks out there, who have no idea of the difference between good and evil. Maybe it is because of a missing chromosome or maybe an extra one, I don't know.

For the most part I think that people are good. Sometimes we lose track of what that is, but deep down I think there is goodness in everyone.

 

[spongebob]

yes, and also by nurture.

 

[toga22]

I think people are born pure, and innocent with a good heart.

Psychological events and our environment shape us to become what we are today.

I totallly agree!! Being evil is an acquired or learned trait.

~toga

 

[Pamela]

Yes I think they are..

I think we are taught at a young age not to be evil.

 

[freakinghuge]

"The world is a dangerous place to live, not because of the people who are evil, but because of the people who don't do anything about it."

 

[DR. NOE]

"It is a revenge the devil sometimes takes upon the virtuous, that he entraps them by the force of the very passion they have suppressed and think themselves superior to."

 

[Bigsatan13]

"It is a revenge the devil sometimes takes upon the virtuous, that he entraps them by the force of the very passion they have suppressed and think themselves superior to."

Son you better take a nap!