Is Humanity A Good Or Evil?

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.

How does one characterize good and evil? Throughout time, people have asked this question and only received opinions based on references from

I believe that human beings are basically good. When they are first born and grow up as babies and toddlers, humans are innocent. However, with the effects of outside experiences and social expectations, human beings can be prone to evil. Humans want to be recognized within society and this can be seen in the movie, “The Talented Mr. Ripley”. Due to the social environment that Tom Ripley lives in, he feels the need to fit in and be wealthy like the people around him. This causes him to seek for ways, whether the action is moral or immoral, to attain a higher social status.

To some, humanity is beautiful, kind and willing. To others, humanity is cruel, selfish and destructive. To a volunteer worker in another country, humanity may be a sign of hope, selflessness and benevolence. To a sex slave, humanity may seem heartless, appalling and hostile. The dictionary’s definition for it is: human beings collectively. It’s you and it’s me, so how would you label yourself? What is the truth about humanity?

From looking at the world now, it is ridiculous to say that we are naturally good. However, if one person believes that stealing is evil, another might believe that stealing is good if it's for a good purpose. So it depends on the person’s views. When a newborn is brought into this world you tend to see purity and simplicity in his eyes. For instance if a child executed a man, we cannot judge nor blame the child since the child knows nothing in life yet. In fact for quite a long time, many philosophers, as well as most individuals, have contemplated on the question “ Is human nature good or bad?”

The distinction between good and evil is a very abstract one and can change with the passing of time. According to Ian A. McFarland from the Faculty of Divinity of University of Cambridge, evil is: “that which is against the good”, while good is “identified with God’s will”. Most people would define good and evil in a very subjective way according to their own likes and dislikes. Nobody likes pain, arrogance, hatred, or the unknown, therefore they are all considered evil. On the other hand, good is anything that is beneficial to us, or something we like. We all like comfort, empathy, love, and wisdom thus these are all considered good things. However, it is evident that one cannot exist without the other. Without pain we wouldn’t know

According to the current definition from Webster, good is defined as morally excellent; virtuous; righteous; pious; where as evil is defined as morally wrong or bad; immoral; wicked. One could

By the definition, “Humanity,” that amounts to a tautology: humanity is that which makes humans human.” (Festa). The humanity of an individual is reflective of its personality. There are characters who are naturally benevolent; some learn through compassion and while others learn through misery. However, in general some are the opposite of benevolent. For instance, some individuals are indeed inconsiderate, arrogant, and most of

Various religions define good and evil in various ways. However, one thing is certain. Since our society has existed, good and evil have also been in existence and many religions see them as two sides of the same coin. Some religions see them as counterparts, one of which focuses on promotion of happiness and the other on everything evil or all that is contrary to happiness. Every religion and mythology define them in its own way and they find representation in various forms like demons and angels in Christianity and Devas and Danavas in Hinduism. But the concept of good and evil has always been there and in old times

In today’s society, it’s incredibly easy to find bad news. Reports of the wrongdoings of humanity are constantly circling through the media. “Three women were kidnapped and held captive for ten years, a teenager shot up an elementary school, and a teenage girl was shot for wanting to go to school.” Many believe that mankind is born with a special form of evil and we do what we please with it. Arthur Miller’s The Crucible says otherwise.

Being good or doing good things leads to many things, but in order to give a clearer definition, one must understand what it is that these good actions created. Once one understands this, then the individual can clearly see the logic behind what some would consider an evil action. Over time, humankind has strived to become what they believed to be holy pure or good. This attempt at being what is virtuous has given birth to a set code of conduct or thoughts that are now commonly seen as the right thing. This code of conduct was based upon morals, which are any given individuals thoughts and believes on what is acceptable as good and evil. Due to the fact that mankind also strives to be accepted by there peers, a common set of morals was established and agreed upon by any specific generation of people to be the good thing. Understanding and knowing these the morals of these given times in history will be necessary to understanding how to define evil.

Even though many people throughout history have said and done evil things, I believe that history can also show us great things that our race has done. For example, look at the Pyramids of Giza they are one of the most majestic wonders of the world, and they are still studied today, even 6,000 years after being created. In the past and current times this world has had influential people, such as Pope Innocent III, say mankind is evil, other influential people agree that all people have some good inside and can do great things, such as Plato. He is well known for his philosophies on life and being a positive life figure. There are many different ways to look at life, and man’s meaning on earth, and some are better than others.

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.

Indeed, the world has become the planet of terror. Each one of us breathes in the conception of panic and uncertainty. However, what it is, humanity or evil tyranny?

To ask the question on whether people are inherently good or evil is like asking the question which came first the chicken or the egg. What should be considered here is simply morality. Can a person’s morality be due to societies influence and the factors that play a role in their everyday lives or is the society we live in created as a standard for that said morality. This question has puzzled anyone who dares to even bring it up and not many can actually find the answer or even answer it themselves. If we put into question, that humans can be born good and could be influenced by society to become bad or that they are born bad but have been kept in line by laws, the answer would still be unknown.