Human Nature Is Good Or Bad?

Coming from the point where humans were created in God’s image, it follows that they have the ability to distinguish between right and wrong. From the rules of conduct given to Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden to the Ten Commandments given to the Israelites, we see that God throughout history has prescribed what is considered right and what is wrong. Jesus summarized these commandments as loving God and loving our neighbors in Matthew 22:37- 40. Similarly, the fact that we were created in God’s image means that we have an inner ability to know what is wrong and right – conscience (Romans 2:15).

In attempting to reveal insight upon the first part of this two-fold question, one must first discern the meaning of human nature. According to the authoritative opinion of The Random House College Dictionary human nature is defined as; "the psychological and social qualities that characterize mankind." In assessing the psychological and social qualities of mankind, it was easy to find oneself consumed within the vastness of characteristical qualities for which humanity has been endowed. These qualities range from ignorance to knowledge; grief to joy; from incontinence to self-restraint; lust to perseverance; injustice to

Are humans inherently good or evil? The simple question has been asked many times, even though the answer isn't so simple. In William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, he further explores the concept. His novel is viewed through young boys trapped on a deserted island, striving to survive. In The Most Dangerous Game, Richard Connell investigates influences and integrity. In non-fiction texts, like "Why Boys Become Vicious" also by William Golding, the author defends his position and gives specific examples to support his stance. In other non-fiction works, authors have given their own views of human's natural behavior. Although some authors believe humans are good and others believe they are inherently evil, based on the evidence humans are born balance with both good and evil. Different situations however, shape their behavior and cause them to be either more good or evil.

Human nature is a topic some people are torn about. Are humans born good or bad? Or are there more factors that need to be involved with that conclusion? William Gay's opinion on human nature is that all humans are born bad, that deep inside there is evil. Some people may agree or disagree with Gay's opinion. In psychologist Samantha Smithstein's article, "Are We Born Good (or Evil)?", Smithstein states, "We are

Since the beginning of time there has been confusion about every aspect of life and with confusion comes a number of questions we cannot completely answer or forget. How did we transform from one creature to another? Why are people so violent? Are we inherently good or evil? These are questions that have been asked for centuries, and have taken ever longer to possibly answer. It might be numerous decades from now before they finally answer these questions but, nevertheless many people are trying by using evidence, theories, faith, and science to answer these questions as accurately as possible. Mainly the question about whether we are innately innocent or not. Most people, say humans are inherently evil, that there is evil in all of us. That could be the reason why kids enjoy watching ants succumb when they burn them with reflected rays of sunlight. However, many believe that we are born good with a clean slate and that it is society of whom changes that. I believe that we are born sinful/evil and that society influence us to be good. The facts have proven humans to be innately evil through genetics, control, and mistreatment.

Human nature can be defined as characteristics, feelings, or traits that of all humans share. Human characteristics and traits can differ from personal cultural background and or by the community that you are surrounded in. The significance of your community and culture is that it can be of importance since it could affect you negatively or positively. Human nature is by origin naturally good but is corrupted gradually or abruptly by the community or religion. Individuals from society and society itself can immensely make an impact on people.

Furthermore, another character that proves that Victor Hugo is trying to say that human nature is basically good is Javert. On page 336 it states, “Javert felt that something horrible was penetrating his soul, admiration for a convict. Repose first for a galley slave can that be possible? He shuddered at it yet could not shake it off… Javert bent his head and looked. All was black. He could distinguish nothing. He heard a frothing sound; but he did not see the river…”. This quote by Victor Hugo emphasizes on this unusual emotion of goodness arousing within Javert. It’s revealing a transformation of Javert’s character from a hardened law worshipper directly to someone feeling for a convict. Javert is seen gaining his conscious and eventually

For centuries many philosophers, as well as most individuals, have pondered on the question what is good and what is evil. More-so philosophers of all ages have also stumbled upon a more in depth question which is if the intuitive knowledge of man's nature is good, or if it is evil. Many have claimed to have an answer to these puzzling questions yet most of their answers were found to be incomplete and inadequate at a later date. Religion also tried to provide a solution but to my understanding only caused more of an entanglement if anything.

My particular perspective of human nature is that humans are molded by the world around them and it’s influences. We choose whether we do good or bad based upon our experiences. The connections, relationships, and everyday actions that humans choose to have are all based on events that have occurred throughout a person’s life. I believe that, while the direct environment and rearing that a human has will always be a part of that person’s life, it does not define them or

"Part of being human is the ability to" distinguish good from bad and vice versa (Rachels 9). Human nature is a ground for practical and moral norms that is; morality directs us to real human fulfilment. Great thinkers have formulated and developed a significant number of enduring moral principles over the centuries. Philosophy, like other social fields and also like individuals, draw on these principles, but this does not always make moral decisions easy. The principles are not entirely consistent, especially in sorting through dilemmas.

The battle between good and evil is the greatest battle of human nature. Are humans fighting to become good, or are humans fighting against evil? To be born good means that evil is not rooted in any human, but rather evil is influenced upon one. To be born good implies that criminals, rapists, and murderers are not born with the intent of destruction and evil doings, but society has triggered them to become that way. Is innocence in a human lost, or is it never there? In Mary Shelley’s novel Frankenstein, Shelley uses the example of the Creature to argue that all humans are born good and innocent, but because of the pain, suffering, and societal influences one may endure in a lifetime, this good can be destroyed and overcome by evil

Watching the news, to today's morning headline, to even an ad on someone's favorite app, can show violence, murder, and everything evil. Right vs wrong, good vs evil is a common fight in real life. People are born naturally good , it's what they choose to do that changes that. Everyone starts initially good, yet daily influences all reflect whether if people end up good or bad.

Whether human beings are instinctually good or evil in an elementary natural state is a question that has been boggling the minds of even the greatest philosophers. There is a spectrum of theories that support both good and evil within the human race, each with valid points that explains the range of our interests, being either for ourselves or for others. However, my personal stance is the sensible theory of Altruism. Past experiences and observations allow me to take the stance, and support the argument that humans are caring and genuinely good individuals and have the will and desire to help those around them.

Human Nature is defined by Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as "the fundamental dispositions and traits of humans." Throughout the world, however, there are many different groups of people, all with varying personalities and characteristics. One recent article that brought up this issue was What's Really Human? The trouble with student guinea pigs. by Sharon Begley. Begley states that "given the difference in culture between the U.S. and East Asia, no one claims the American way is universal." This suggests that one's environment, not one's nature, shapes one's characteristics and features. This separation of cultures also leads to a different view of good and evil throughout the world; murder is generally bad and charity good, but not everyone may care about murder or think charity necessary. The only way to find human nature may be to look at the time before the first cultures developed. Thomas Hobbes referred to this time as the state of nature, where every man competes for resources, driven on by greed. This greed is considered to be a bad trait by today's society, making human nature apparently evil. I believe that humans are evil in nature and need parameters to be good because of the writings of twentieth century authors, Chinese philosophers between the Qin and Han dynasties, and pre-Enlightenment philosophers.

The concept of human nature is somewhat debated in Confucianism and its followers. In the absence of a personal or supernatural god in this belief system, the question of whether someone is inherently good or evil does not have the same importance as it does otherwise. For example, Christians believe that they are created with sin and must create a certain form of relationship with their god to live a moral life. However, without such a personal god, the focus is more on human behavior than and sort of dogmatic debate. In fact, Confucius hardly ever touches on this issue but noted that "by nature men are similar; by practice men are wide apart" (Confucius, N.d.).