Are people inherently evil?

[EricHiggin]

DevilRising said:
I have never believed that babies/children are "inherently evil", and I think it's morally wrong of certain religions to teach that. I think that we're all born with natural survival instincts, sure. But humans are also naturally a pack/community creature, it is ingrained in our fabric to socialize and work together for mutual survival. Any kid can be bratty and selfish at times, yes. But I've also seen enough of children to know that generally speaking, unless they have a bad home life or explicitly bad (abusive, absentee or overly spoiled) parenting, left to their own devices I think kids tend to be nicer to each other, and share, have empathy, etc. I think that NOT having empathy, having selfish tendencies, bullying/mean-spirtedness, prejudice/bigotry, etc., those are learned traits. Most especially inside the home, from their parents and families, but also from other kids, television, and society in general.

I think most "evil" or selfish, bad behaviors are learned. Not 100%, but most.

Most of the species on this planet are born quite capable right from birth. Humans are born weak, fragile, dumb, and inexperienced. The world is/was also a dangerous place. Due to this, all your brain needs to focus on initially, is survival. This makes kids seem "evil" due to their lying and cheating, because its the way they are programmed at birth, on purpose. A lot of this has to do with our species past, since in today's world this isn't really as necessary, but it takes time for mental and biological changes to occur. Once you start to gain experience, stength, and knowledge, your survival instincts/programming, aren't as necessary anymore and are less useful.

As you grow older you start to understand the "pack mentality", like wolves, where the easiest way to live and survive, is to work together. You also learn that some packs are much smarter or stronger than other packs. The packs that are more well off can mostly do away with things like lying and cheating, etc, because they are a well oiled machine that just keeps going. The packs that are dumber and weaker, typically have to resort to lying and cheating in order to stay strong enough to continue and survive.

Being a functional part of a society, or a "good person", is a learned trait, which is a natural progression, especially in todays world. Some people are not born into a functional society, and therefore don't learn these traits, or don't choose to abide by them, for their own survival. You also have the pack leaders that understand that the strongest member rules the pack. These people are typically the CEO's, etc, and can be huge jerks, because that's what it requires to stay on top. Even though these people are well off, someone else is always looking to be the leader, and if your weaker than they are, you lose your seat on the throne, and that seat brings many many benefits, so hence the reason for being huge jerks. Most of the time, but not always.

You also have to take into account things in todays world like government, media, internet, businesses, that are constantly looking to sell you something. Some of these people are just trying to make a living and want your help (some money), and some of these people are looking to become pack leader, and will do what is necessary to get there (taking as much money as possible), even if it means hurting you, a weaker wolf of the pack.

There is also this general thought today, that has been pushed mostly by government and media, that everyone should be equal. This is a tactic used by the wolves on top, to remain the leaders. This can be dangerous because when people who aren't equal, and for many reasons, like IQ for one, think they aren't being treated "equally", can decide to use their most basic childish instincts, lying and cheating, etc, to become more equal based on what they have been told is their "right", hurting others along the way, and weakening the pack.  Yes, we should make a point to end poverty and push for causes that benefit all, but complete equality across the board is completely unnatural and is not how a free market, or the world itself operates. That free market is why the world is such a better place today than it ever was before. We just simply need to refine it in some ways to make it more balanced and acceptable for everyone. 

This is very general, and I could go on, but Human beings are way to complex to explain "good vs evil" or anything for that matter, in just a few paragraphs.