The evil human being.

What is your opinion on the nature of humans? Are they basically good, evil, or mixed? I think all humans are basically good and that any evil is an addative. Some people contend that some are good and some are bad. What say you ATS? Are all humans evil?
www.bbc.com...

The system creates monsters...

The hollywood meme is it to propagate that humans a innate evil , selffish not capable of love and such. People follow this meme and tend to think all humans are evil.

but To be short humans are basically Good but circumctances make them into monsters so it seems like the default settings are bad.

a reply to: Aristotelian1

In the case of evil I have to go with nurture waaaay more than nature.

Children are born emanating nothing but love.

Society's conditioning distorts, manipulates and breaks down our natural state of lovingness.

I feel evil is ”taught” many senses.

a reply to: Aristotelian1

Nah...

There are those who just haven't overcome some aspects of their animal nature...

a reply to: Aristotelian1

There is an inherent evil and savagery in human species...we are the apex predator.. the only species on earth that kills for pleasure.

Evil just needs right conditions to emerge. But is within us. Dormant in most cases.

I do not believe in good and evil.
I think good and bad can only be determined according to intent or goal
(according to how effective they are to getting there)

Though there are some goals the majority of humans have in common- like survival of the physical body, so we will usually have the same notions on what is good or bad, according to that intent (like about murder).
But we cannot be sure that is a universal or static value. What if on other planets souls like to change vehicles often to experience different things? So they might even set up a murder with a friend because the automated system in the vehicle makes the suicide difficult- easier to arrange with a soul friend some help.
(OH! Or what if that is what is happening here and now??)

Anyway, beyond my personal feeling that nobody is either- we are all both, I get rather irritated sometimes with the exaggerated focus some put on trying to discern and judge whether people are goodies or baddies.

Instead of us together analyzing acts and choices, in a down to earth and pragmatic way (does it work? or is it counter productive?)

They keep asking.... yes, but what does it say about the actor? Are they good in essence and intent, or bad???

As if that frigging matters.


If we must unavoidably, speak using the good bad dichotomy to proclaim what a person IS,
then I would say - good. In most cases, just assume people are good, and drop it, go on to looking at what they do, and whether it is an effective and skillful use of the biological container and brain. We can be each others examples.
Look at the effects of causes, analyze the consequences, so you can rack up a library of knowledge on how to get things done.

Or not. Whatever. I recognize it seems to be a very pressing concern for some, whether each person they meet is good or bad, and what each person they meet thinks of them- good or bad. I guess you gotta do what you gotta do.

except I have not seen yet the benefit of doing that. At least not any consequence I am intending to seek out as of yet.

I'm not really sure. I know some evil people or people who posess evil qualities

There are people who delight in being mean or sadistic, maybe because of some past trauma or a currently bad situation they are in causes them to be like this.

Not really sure though.

There are definitely evil humans in this world. Are they born evil is the real question.

a reply to: violet

Do you believe that's possible?

I mean have you ever held a baby?

Im not being facetious... im terrified of them!!

But... innocence...

Defined in the eyes of a child

originally posted by: Akragon
a reply to: violet

have you ever held a baby?

Im not being facetious... im terrified of them!!

And they of you.......with your Cheshire grin.

I don't look at people as being good or evil anymore. I used to, but that train of thought requires more emotion than most people deserve. I look at people as either making smart choices or stupid ones. Smart choices lead them to a productive life, while stupid ones lead to a life where they are just a dark cloud hanging over the proceedings of wherever they are at. Annoying oxygen thieves who don't deserve any.

Humans seem to have more of a propensity for evil than any other animal species on the planet and, if left unchecked, will make full use of those facilities. People need to be controlled more. If they were, we wouldn't have nearly as many problems.

a reply to: DeepImpactX

NO seriously... Im scared to death of babies! lol

I know its sad, but i seem to believe i will break them... and so many people have told me they bounce...

A child is innocent... 100%

its the whole "nature vs Nurture" debate...

Children are taught to be bad, or lack proper teaching and make their own rules

a reply to: Akragon

I wouldn't take it to heart friend, some people are like that.

I don't mind babies, but they do have a smell that takes some getting used to.

a reply to: DeepImpactX

but they do have a smell that takes some getting used to

lol... ok but...

I work in Long Term Health Care

a reply to: Aristotelian1

I would say humans are mixed. It's not as a straightforward topic as most people believe. Human psychology is incredibly complex and there is still so much we do not understand about the nature of emotions, moods and anxiety.

I would say that the important thing to remember is that we all have a choice no matter what else. You can take two people and put them in the same situations and one will come out an evil, sadistic bastard where the other will remain a loving, kind-hearted human being.

Now I realize that you're asking what it is that defines that in a way, but I don't think anyone can know with any certainty other than to say we're all different and all individuals.

a reply to: Aristotelian1

good, evil, or mixed?

mixed, but then sometimes good sometimes evil. Seriously I think self interest plays a large part in what mask we wear on any given day. I usually live and let live - touch some of my hot buttons and there could be a reckoning.

a reply to: MarioOnTheFlyNah, Mario. We are not the apex predator. Walk out alone on the Serengeti among a pride of lions, swim in the Carribean about dawn or dusk and after the great whites have finished with you then say we are the worlds top predator. As for the only species that kills for pleasure you haven't seen a stoat thats got in a chicken pen. Blood lust takes on a new meaning.
Humans when they are born are neither good or evil. They have the propensity to be either, it depends on their upbringing and the society they are bought up in. Plus other minor factors.

a reply to: Akragon
Yes I've held lots of babies!
No I don't think one is born evil. It's just a question I posed

a reply to: crayzeed

Walk out alone on the Serengeti among a pride of lions

Dont be ridiculous...we can wipe out any other earth species...in a blink of an eye.

Born evil? Yes, it appears that some can be born evil, in a sense. Born good as well.

For example, someone who spent most of their (past) lives killing others, could very well come back (in another incarnation) and be a murderer again. Likewise someone who has spent many of their past lives helping others, would more than likely come back here again and repeat similar patters. The tendencies are there, based on the past repeating patterns of the individual.

What we are is the result of what we've done, not only in this life, but all our past lives as well.

Though we are here to learn and grow, so hopefully in this life you will, or already have, overcome most of your past transgressions.

a reply to: Aristotelian1

Good and evil are not properties of human beings. Good and evil are judgements made by human beings in order to judge human beings.