Leaving god out of this equation ...?

Question

Where do we draw the line between what is "human nature", and what is wrong? Its human nature to survive and augment one's position, so does this mean that lying, stealing, killing, and sex are all simply in our nature and not *wrong*?

I'm not dedicated to one side or another in this argument. I'm just interested in hearing other people's opinions.

By the way, I understand that even human nature has to sometimes be harnessed in order to have a productive society ... which is why we have laws.

But is that the only reason we ban these things, for the greater good of society ... not because they are actually *wrong*?

Answer 1

Well if we work as a group we have a better chance of survival. One problem we will have to deal with is asteroids wiping out all life. Already we are cooperating to create a early warning system. If all just look out for ourselves such advancement would not be possible. Nature does not create unnecessary suffering. If a lion is hungry he does no go out and kill animals just for fun. A snake does not bite people for fun. It does it because it feels threatened. So if we all fight each other we cant get ahead.

this will be something we might have to face as a race together:
http://www.discover.com/issues/dec-04/features/survive-end-of-universe/

Answer 2

You may be confusing "human nature" with "sinful nature". To be human is OK and many, me included, use the term human nature interchangeably with sinful nature. I guess it's our human nature that does that. Those things you listed, stealing, lying, killing, sex all affect someone other than yourself. Some will argue you can kill yourself but that is not something people with self-respect go around doing. Sex on the other hand was from the beginning and intended for good...within boundaries. When people go outside the intended purpose you get what you have today. Disease all over the planet. So when you think about it, the things people shouldn't be doing, is to protect yourself and respect other people and their property. I don't think it's natural to want to hurt other people unless you have had something tragically go wrong in your up bringing. If you bring kids up the right way, the majority will be decent people. But not having what we call a Godly nature, they will compromise and find ways to do things that are "bad" and still call them OK. A little lie, steal from a rich man, etc. When God comes into the picture, there is a different way of looking at people and life. It can only be experienced and can not be acted out. There is an awareness, or should be, of what is right and wrong no matter what the circumstance.

Answer 3

There is no wrong. There are things that are destructive to a particular purpose.

Some things help the society we use to our mutual advantage. We call such things, "good". Some damage the same society, and are called, "bad".
Human nature is NOT compatable in all ways with "society", as human nature is millions of years old, but society is only thousands of years old in the sense I mean. We have yet to evolve to adapt in many ways (we will, or society will change).

This is why we come up with artificial structures, such as "religion" to enforce social norms against human nature. The first written laws were religiously inspired, and our laws are based on those first attempts, in part.

I'm not yet ready to leave religion out of the equation. Although I'd love a society that had VERY strong reasoning skills, I don't trust the intelligence level of my fellow man to not have the safety net religion gives us against the ignorant and willfully destructive. They are held in check by religious beliefs.

I am grateful for that.

Answer 4

I don't think there's any sort of absolute morality.

It's the product of evolution. For example, if a tribe of homonids tolerated murder--they just sat around and looked stupid if one of them was going around bashing in other skulls--they'd go extinct pretty quickly. Thus, 'thou shallt not kill'. On the other hand, pacifistic tribes of people often got over-ran by more hostile and murderous tribes. Hence, 'Gott mit uns'.

Ultimately, I think it comes down to statistics. I may think nudity is OK, but if I walk down the street naked, about 90% of society will think I should be arrested. However, since only a small percentage of people are vegans, I can consume a hamburger without breaking a law or committing a sin.

Answer 5

What equation? Did you circulate away leprechauns, werepigs, psychic cats, etc.... out of it? considering the fact that could possibly be a similar foundation for no longer including anybody or all the 1000's of gods or goddesses human beings have arise with besides. till there is a few purpose, verifiable information there is no good foundation to anticipate such exist.

Answer 6

Well.... the vasy majority of healthy people will lie, and have sex. I'd say it's fairly normal. Most children try to steal, but are taught not to by their parents. A vast minority of unhealthy people kill.

Therefore: Lying, sex.... human nature
Stealing: Immature nature
Killing: not human nature... an abnormal variable.

Answer 7

human nature drives us to doing wrong a lot of the time, but it's not wrong until we act upon the darker sides of our natures. Our choices determine what kind of lives we lead, but our natures affect our choices. It's judgement that draws the line.

Answer 8

I believe that, in general, most humans won't do that unless they need to. And usually, the circumstances make it not so wrong.
That is except for sex. But there is nothing wrong with responsible human sexuality.

Answer 9

It is also human nature to co-operate and perform altruistic acts, game theory has demonstrated why these traits have evolved. And as you say nothing to do with god or religion.

Answer 10

the idea in some religeons is that our "nature" has been corrupted and it takes a supernatural act of God to overcome that corrupt part ... it cant be overcome by sheer brainpower .. and also, that what ur questioning as "wrong" if its a "sin" .. ultimately leads to death and destruction in an individuals life .... my idea of it is that just simply convincing urself somthing is not wrong and finding a way to justify somthing does not necessarily make it right or free u from the consequences of ur actions ....