Are people generally good?

[dtewi]

twesterm said:

dtewi said:

twesterm said:

dtewi said:

twesterm said:

1. People generally act good.
2. People generally only act good because of consequences (Hell, law, pain, ect)
3. Therefore, people only act good because they are looking out for themselves
4. That is selfish
5. Therefore, people are generally selfish.
6. selfish is not good
7. Therefore, people are generally not good.

I don't see why acting good shouldn't make you good.

Sure, we almost always act out of selfishness, but that is not a bad thing. It's just one of the natural ideas that being selfish is bad.

But really it keeps the world in order and keeps everyone alive. There are good and bad sides to being selfish, but really, more good to it.

So, why do people hate it?

But aren't you only acting good to manipulate others or using good simply as a means to a better end for yourself?

Those two and so many more.

For example, I don't like pain. I avoid consequences that deal with pain. I avoid doing things that avoid getting me said consequences. I do not commit crimes. I don't murder people.

I don't murder people because I'm selfish. Nothing wrong with that.

But you're only doing good to yourself and what's the point with that?  If you're only being good in a sterile padded solitary room cut off from the world, what's the point then?

In the real world, driving 100MPH down a long stretch of road is  fun, but I dont' want a ticket.  I'm doing good, but I'm not doing good because I want to protect others, I'm doing good because I don't want a ticket.

If I'm being held at gunpoint while a convenience store is being robbed, I don't try to stop the robber and save the store owner the money because I don't want to be shot.

If I see a lady has to walk through a puddle, I don't lay down my coat because I don't want my coat to get dirty.

I don't play with matches not because I care about the building may get burned down, but because I might burn myself.

It's a pretty cynical view and one I may or may not agree with, just the position I decided to take for the thread.  :-p

Well, you clearly have a different outlook on life, Mr. Pessimist.

If people are not harmed by your action (or inaction) why should it be considered bad?