Are we born with values and ideals or do we acquire them here?

Question

Do we come to this world with a clean slate? ---- If yes, then for example, why do children of the same parents differ so much?

Thanks for making me laugh --- diogenese19348

To Ganesh D..... I would like to defend myself...the grammatical structure of my question is fine.... please read your grammar book.... do we use 'or' only in 'either- or' constructions?

Answer 1

Those who do not remember a past life are no different than those who are new and have a totally clean slate.

The values and ideals presented to them are determined by both their environment (including social locality and culture) and personal choice. A preachers daughter can become a professional street walker. The son of a lifetime criminal can become a monk.

Every human is unique, even those with identical DNA still have their personal point of view. Some are more sensitive to spiritual issues than others, even in the same family. Some get so involved with material issues that they forget their spiritual side.

Answer 2

I hope you not mean "Here" as in Yahoo Answers? LOL!
Most values/ideals a learned. Usually within the first 4 years of our lives. When we are children our Brains absorb like a sponge. We learn all our lives, but, the early years will shape much of our Personality. This "Molding of the Mind" comes from many sources; First: Parents. Then other sources are; Siblings (Brothers/Sisters), Friends, Relatives and People in General (Teachers, Day Care etc.). What we are exposed to and how we begin to rationalize it will shape our Personality, good/bad. It can change some over the years, but, only if we want the change.

Answer 3

No we are not born with values and ideals we acquire them as we grow.Our surroundings,the way we live often influence our ideals and values.Yes we do inhereit somethings from birth like our physical features,and temperment etc but definitely not values and ideals.for example the children of extrimists and communists could be capitalists and democratic its a proven fact.

Answer 4

I believe it's a bit of a mix. I think genetic makup has something to do with what we are drawn to one way or another but the specific values and ideals that we have are learned through life experiences.

Answer 5

We are born with the methods to acquire value (the mind), but we can only know value through experience in reality.

Answer 6

This question in terms of 'either-or' is ill-formulated. The answer is in terms of a conjunction - we are born with innate capacities for aquisition of knowledge and as such we are able to aquire values and ideals in and through our interaction with the world of facts.

Answer 7

I think both. We are born with some "genetics" values code inserted in our personality, and we also acquire values and ideals with age.

Answer 8

We are born with different values, good or bad and we learn more or less, depending what country you are born. America is still at best...
Simple One

Answer 9

We, um, OMG, you look like a freaking tomato!

Sorry, got distracted.

We do a little of both actually. We are born with some, and we acquire some.

And you still look like a freaking tomato...

Answer 10

NATURE or NURTURE????? Thats what you are asking.
Well I believe that it is the both, sons show a lot of theire dads ways- so is it NATURE??? But identical twins brought up seperatly have shown remarkable different valus!! So is it NURTURE???
I believe it is the both...

Answer 11

It's the environment we grow up in and is taught to us by our parents and peers. Too bad it's not all perfect huh?