Why do some people commit evil acts and others do not? Theories abound about the origin of evil and how it is that some people do evil things while others do not. One such theory states that human beings decide which path they will take in life. Another theory is that society influences people to do right or wrong. There is also a belief that some people are born to do evil (thence- a “bad seed”). Based on these possible theories, it may be possible to determine the core of how and why a person becomes evil.
Human beings may be born neutral with two completely different paths (similar to the symbols of yin and yang), and as one grows within his or her surroundings and influences, the paths that he or she possess may be shaped and later determine what kind of person they will become in life. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Satan turns his back on God and promises to spend the rest of eternity doing evil (Milton 654). Satan chooses the path of evil over good. The theory of one being born neutral with two completely different possible paths is supported when Satan commits this unexpected act. There is a great similarity between Satan’s choice to do evil and human beings who, unexpectedly, commit evil acts.
Choices made may also be controlled by how one deals with an influential environment or society. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth persuades her husband Macbeth, the once strong and noble warrior, to murder King Duncan in order to gain the throne of Scotland, which only leads to the downfall of Macbeth (Shakespeare 468). Does society contribute in turning the once good Macbeth into an evil and power-hungry monster? The answer in this particular situation is yes; but could this particular theory contribute to human beings in today’s modern world? In certain situations, it could definitely be a major contribution to the evilness in humans. If a person was influenced to take drugs at a young age and then later become a drug addict, would the influencer be the one to blame? The answer to this particular question would most likely vary from person to person. In this case, however, society does indeed influence a person to do wrong.
Could a person be born, and in turn be fated, to do acts of evil? This is like as asking if Adolf Hitler was somehow meant to murder millions of innocent people during the Holocaust (Jewish Virtual Library 1). Human beings may be born absolutely pure and sinless. The age of reason does not begin until seven years old, when the mind can then be tempted and good and evil is understood .The world then begins to influence their minds in positive and negative ways. People are born with the natural ability to sin, but they are not necessarily born evil; they are born with the capacity to make mistakes in their lives, and humanity agrees that we continuously fall short of glorified perfection. An evil nature is a conscience choice.
2007-10-04
15:55:36
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Caramel
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