Are humans bad or are they good?

Question

Are humans more selfish and bad or are they more sympathetic, gracious, and good? My teacher says I can't pick both. I need to choose one and defend my choice.

Answer 1

Hi VK,
Since humans have been influenced by non natural leisure items such as Alcohol, T.V., etc... People cannot be in their primitive state,because they know better... In my personal opinion : I believe strongly that humans are naturally good, but with all the modern influences they have become selfish and greedy...
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I think, the decisions you make in your life, reflect upon your nature, whether your good or bad, you choose your path....remember that...... ;)
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Thanks, for the question!;D

My regards!

Take care!

Answer 2

I firmly believe no one can be that bad of a person. Everyone is good. It's the outside influence(meaning not their attributes) that causes them to do something bad. Some do it to avenge themselves from the wrong that were done to them. If they did something bad, they should accept that they are taken into full account of their responsibility towards the bad action. If they don't recognize their responsibility, then they are indeed cold-blooded bad humans. Remorse is the key word.

Answer 3

That is a pretty broad question, but I feel humans are good, for the most part. You would have to examine what actions are good and what are bad. We all have a conscience but not everyone listens to it. We all have freewill, and that is a huge responsibility. We have those choices to make--devil or angel on the shoulder.
Is war good or bad? You can have a terrible war, resulting in improved consequences. Personally, I feel war should be a very last defensive action. The cost is too high. But back to your good or bad--the age old question. Mankind must be mostly good, or we would have completely killed ourselves off by now. We may have destroyed the earth and ourselves completely if we had not thought of bad consequences. I believe our creator designed us to have the capacity to be good, to stay good, for the most part. Our original design is to have compassion, sympathy, empathy for each other.

Answer 4

Well, it depends on what you are referencing them to. From the perspective of the planet Earth, comparing humans to every other species of animal on the planet, I would say we are BY FAR THE WORST. We cover more land per person than any other animal; we consume more resources, we produce more waste, and we do things like kill ants with magnifying glasses. We destroy life just because we can and it brings us that little bit of convenience or joy.

But, intellectually, we are brilliant. How does this come into play? It allows us to rationalize the destruction of "unnecessary" ecosystems. And yes, I drive a car and take advantage of modern conveniences, so I'm as equally to blame as you are. The only thing stopping me is that I'm not sure what to do about it, but if you are, then DO IT. And let me know.

Answer 5

Humans are neither both good nor evil. We're like a salad, eveything is mixed up to make something taste just right. People can be both. Someone can do good things, but no one is innocent. We have all done wrong. But thats life, Its the way of human nature. Humans can do evil things and good things, and we cant control it.

Answer 6

Human beings are capable of both good and evil. It is knowing the difference between the two and figuring out how to control or use good and evil that truly defines us.

Answer 7

You teacher is an ideological idiot who is putting you on the wrong side of a false dichotomy. I hope you know better, realizing that humans can posses both bad and good traits.

Answer 8

They are both, even in the best of us. However, if you must make a choice, go with your instincts. Make your case for why you feel strongly. Be direct and concise. Your teacher can't ask for more than that.

Answer 9

I belive that when we are born, we are neither good nor bad. But we are quickly corrupted by society. We grow up being told how to act, how to live, how to learn, what's right and wrong, etc.

BUT, when we have new experiences, our personalities are moulded. We become good or bad. It all depends on the environment we are raised in, and what drives us to succeed.

I guess my theory is better explained by John Locke's "tabula rasa," which states that man is born good, but through our experiences we are shaped into the people we are.

Thomas Hobbes' theory on man also supports my theory. He said that, "man is easily corrupted by society, but can become good again if he returns to a state of nature" (the state of nature being life without a society to corrupt the innocent)

Answer 10

We are both, unfortunately! The Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde potential scenario exists in all of us, but we can indeed control what dominates in our lives--so indeed there is no excuse for the hideous things men conive & carry out.