- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Humans: Inherently Good or Inherently Evil?
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:53 am
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:53 am
Lets start a little debate on the board today. My guess is that most of you will argue that people are inherently evil. That people are selfish and will choose their own good over the good of others at every turn if given the opportunity. Since I think a lot of arguments for why people are evil will get shared, I will focus on the opposite side.
To play devil's advocate, I'd argue that people are born inherently good and learn from the selfish actions of others to be more selfish. I'd argue that young kids are more inclined to be tolerant and kind to each other. But over time, they get burned by trusting someone who is selfish and learn to be more guarded and look out for themselves more. I'd also argue that while you can point to individual actions and crime rates that overall people live in harmony and when disaster strikes, communities help each other. Hell we have a Volunteer Cajun Navy that puts their own lives at risk to help save people after natural disasters that involve flooding.
What do yall think?
To play devil's advocate, I'd argue that people are born inherently good and learn from the selfish actions of others to be more selfish. I'd argue that young kids are more inclined to be tolerant and kind to each other. But over time, they get burned by trusting someone who is selfish and learn to be more guarded and look out for themselves more. I'd also argue that while you can point to individual actions and crime rates that overall people live in harmony and when disaster strikes, communities help each other. Hell we have a Volunteer Cajun Navy that puts their own lives at risk to help save people after natural disasters that involve flooding.
What do yall think?
31
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:54 am to Bert Macklin FBI
We are “glorious ruins”
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:55 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
people are inherently evil. That people are selfish and will choose their own good over the good of others at every turn if given the opportunity.
just look at this place, baw
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:56 am to Bert Macklin FBI
People are inherently good as we are God's creation and God is good. Evil is earthly and built from sin.
Debate over.
Debate over.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:57 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Human beings are neither inherently evil or inherently good.
Human beings are inherently TRAGIC.
Human beings are inherently TRAGIC.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:58 am to Bert Macklin FBI
we're inherently selfish
Posted on 5/16/24 at 8:59 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Inherently flawed
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:05 am to Bert Macklin FBI
I would ask for clarification as to what you mean by “evil”?
I do not believe that people are born inherently good, because we live in a fallen creation that has been separated from God by sin. I believe that we are born with that sinful nature. That does not mean that because we are sinful, we are evil, although there are some that would argue that all sin is, in fact, evil, and that is technically correct. But all sinners are not necessarily “evil” in the strictest sense of the word.
Just my opinion.
I do not believe that people are born inherently good, because we live in a fallen creation that has been separated from God by sin. I believe that we are born with that sinful nature. That does not mean that because we are sinful, we are evil, although there are some that would argue that all sin is, in fact, evil, and that is technically correct. But all sinners are not necessarily “evil” in the strictest sense of the word.
Just my opinion.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:07 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
What do yall think?
I think ledger's joker made a whole lot of sense in that interrogation scene.
“Their morals, their code; it's a bad joke. Dropped at the first sign of trouble. They're only as good as the world allows them to be. You'll see- I'll show you. When the chips are down these, uh, civilized people? They'll eat each other. See I'm not a monster, I'm just ahead of the curve.”
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:08 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Is it nature, or nurture?
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:09 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
Inherently Good or Inherently Evil?
Why operate in such rigid binaries?
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:12 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
I'd argue that people are born inherently good and learn from the selfish actions of others to be more selfish.
Where did the selfish people get their selfishness from?
It has to be inherent on some level.
My answer: We’re both. We’re made in the image of God so we have inherent goodness, but we are not God so we are inherently imperfect.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:13 am to Bert Macklin FBI
We are made in the image and likeness of a loving God. We are inherently good but due to the fall of original sin we fight concupiscence and sin.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:14 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Both. The duality of man. Divine/evil.
Rational/irrational. We are irrational creatures living in a rational structure.
Rational/irrational. We are irrational creatures living in a rational structure.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:24 am to Bert Macklin FBI
It’s both. We all have good and evil inside of us. Most animals are the same way. Sometimes a cat will kill an entire herd of prey just for sport. At other times a baby will get protected by a member of a completely different species.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:29 am to Bert Macklin FBI
It's not really about good or evil. The majority of people live their lives seeking various levels of Pleasure and avoiding various levels of Pain. Most of our laws are based on that majority view, along with values, culture & tradition.
The majority view of what is considered in the pleasure column may change with time (ex: slavery once good/beneficial is now abhorent) whereas some acts/behavoirs (ex: serial killing, child rape, theft, etc) will likely always be in the minority, even tho those acts bring the deviants a level of pleasure.
The majority view of what is considered in the pleasure column may change with time (ex: slavery once good/beneficial is now abhorent) whereas some acts/behavoirs (ex: serial killing, child rape, theft, etc) will likely always be in the minority, even tho those acts bring the deviants a level of pleasure.
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:33 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
My guess is that most of you will argue that people are inherently evil.
Civilization itself tends to argue against that. A lot of selfless cooperation was required to get us where we are today.
Now, are people inherently self-interested? Sure, but those who survived and thrived throughout the 10000+ generations also generally developed characteristics compatible with polite society, including acceptance, fondness for family/offspring and some admirable altruistic (or downright heroic at times) qualities.
Now, under stress, more will fold than rise to the occasion. And there is a decent percentage of just unredeemable c_unts. No reasonable person would deny that. But that isn't the norm and that isn't the default human experience.
Hell, enlightened self-interest is one of the great things about humanity.
This post was edited on 5/16/24 at 9:34 am
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:39 am to Bert Macklin FBI
Inherently dumb
Posted on 5/16/24 at 9:56 am to Bert Macklin FBI
quote:
I'd argue that young kids are more inclined to be tolerant and kind to each other.
I’ve raised five. I’d argue otherwise. They don’t need to be taught to be selfish, self centered, rebellious, and quarrelsome. It’s built in. The trick is to teach, encourage and mold them to control themselves and become reasonably civilized. By any means necessary.
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News