[Gargamel]

I want to set up a poll to ask this question, but I don’t know how. Can someone please set up the poll for me? Thanks!

Do you believe humans are innately good or evil? Before you vote, it a good idea to wonder why you chose good or evil.

A quick point for those who think there is no such thing as good or evil, lets for argumnet sake say good are actions that benefit mankind and evil are actions that are detrimental in any way, such as abuse, needless violence, etc..etc..

Babies seem inherently good. Smiling when you smile back. Learning about human nature and always reacting negatively to negative behavior. Yet in later stages, depending in part on the environment, humans become mass murderers, rapists, killers, etc.etc.. On the flip side some people give up their lives for others.

So which is it? Are we inherently good or evil?

[TheBoxingPikey]

First to say Good. As we grow older we are exposed to various stimuli and inputs and we then act accordingly.

A perfect example I can think of is the Columbine kids. They were bullied, ridiculed, and picked on until they snapped. They didn't come out of the womb gunz blazin.

[Mr. Omoplata]

Your stepping in the wrong direction by assuming it's an "either or" option. Humans cannot be inherently good or evil because those things are a situational to the environment a person grows up under.

I remember my psychology professor held a relevant discussion in one of our lectures where he pointed out a real life scenario of two identical twins that were raised in two very different environments. One was raised with her biological mother and the other was raised in an orphanage. Long story short, the one with the mother grew up to be a teacher and the one in the orphanage ended up in jail for pre-meditated murder.

My personal opinion is that everyone is neither just good or just bad, but capable of both. Which is what defines our uniqueness.

[ACR4V3N]

Inherently good.

[smasheroffaces]

i think humans are kinda evil and have to work at being good for the most part...we are selfish and self absorbed...you know the drill.......so i think humans are kinda born on the evil side even little babies will lie to get what they want......sorry you asked

[Tiger_vs_Mantis]

i don't believe in inherent good or evil, so humans are neither.

[ACR4V3N]

Originally Posted by smasheroffaces

i think humans are kinda evil and have to work at being good for the most part...we are selfish and self absorbed...you know the drill.......so i think humans are kinda born on the evil side even little babies will lie to get what they want......sorry you asked

Isnt that survival? Cause Evil is a little deeper then natural behavior. I wouldnt call a persons "shadow" evil, its just what makes us able to live.

[Philosophighter]

Neither, and a kinda lame question to boot. You need a context, an ethic, a morality, etc. as a standard.

and just cuz babies lack the mental structure, referential experience, to make "conscious decisions" as we would normally define them, that doesnt mean they arent evil. When my 1yr old brother threw a block at me, I saw the killer in his eyes....he gave me a cold dead stare.

[Cojofl]

Humans just are

[VividentSparkle]

I think you can;t lump all humans into this or that category.

Upbringing and the society one is raised has alot more to do with a person's character -- obviously, there are more GOOD people than EVIL people !