When we´re born... Are we GOOD? Are evil people born or made?

Question

Assuming with evil people those who kdnap, kill, violate etc.

Answer 1

It is hard to say if people are born to be evil or made to be evil. 'Born' suggests something innate and 'made to' suggests some sort of upbringing. There was a case in San Francisco. This man was developing a tumor in his head and as the tumor grew, he got very aggressive. One night, he ended up killing a person at a bar. Later, the court allowed his tumor to be removed; and the verdict was "innocent" on a groud that a tumor was responsible for his aggressive and violent behavior. The point is that it suggests two things 'person' and 'physical.'

Physical aspects of human are rather deterministic in that it is all about what stimulates what or what does what act. In the murder case, this 'physical' affected 'person' (or consciousness). That is to say, 'person' or consciousness was not evil; but it was the body that did the act. If purely physical aspects are considered, it can be said that a body can be made or born to be evil.

What constitutes 'person' is something no one seems to know. For instance, the international dictionary of psychology has not yet been able to give a definition of consciousness. (If you think it does, please check the definition again with a logician) In short, it is one mysterious thing we have come to know. At least, following possibilities can be postulated. One is born good, but made to be evil as one grows up. One is not born good or evil, but made to be evil as one grows up. One is born evil, and further made to be evil. One is born to evil, but made to be not evil... etc

If this what 'person' or consciousness is fully answered, it would answer a whole lot of questions concerning nature of mind

Answer 2

When we are born, we do what makes us happy. It is not good or bad, it simply is. Infants do not know that they should make others happy. However, they learn that if they make others happy, things are happier for them. When they are not happy, things just aren't as good. As we grow, we learn to get along in society by doing those things that society calls good in order to gain approval and thus be happy.

Evil people are pretty much made. There may be genetics lending to a predisposition towards aggressive behavior, but it is the world around them that can push them over the edge. Typically an evil person had a rather horrendous and unthinkable childhood themselves. If we could stop childhood abuse, I think it would make a world of difference in our society as a whole. After all, not every abused child becomes evil (in fact, very few). However, what affect did it have on them and how is it perpetuated through generation after generation?

Answer 3

It's not one or the other, it's both. If you have genes that predispose you to a mental health condition, and a great family and support network and friendships, then you will likely be fine. However, with poor supports and parenting, then you have a much better chance of committing those kinds of crimes. You could also probably place someone with 'good' genes into a poor social behavioral environment and have a more likely chance that they will do 'evil' than if they were placed in a good environment. It's an age old question of nature/nurture and research seems to say now that it is a combination of both.

Answer 4

We are all born sinners by nature. However, with that comes an "age of accountability." For example, if a four year old suddenly dies in a car accident before accepting Jesus Christ into his or her heart, they are still God's children. However, when a child is old enough to distinguish right from wrong, they must make the choice to either follow Christ or reject Him. While there are many "good" people in the world, God can have no part of sin. They must be confessed and forgiven before Him.

Answer 5

Well we grow to be evil. Most of it is a learned behavior. If the parents treated their kid violently the child will most likely grow up to be evil and abusive because that's what they know. Other that were brought up in a good house can either be influenced by friends or they are rebelling!

Answer 6

Most if not all people considered to be evil have been abused by someone prior to their first offense.

Maybe reincarnation explains something. The Bible mentions someone coming back from the dead. Could be sarcasm, or not. I know I was born tired.

Answer 7

We are born animal, amoral.

How we act as adults is about 80% genetics and 20% environment.

Some people are born "flawed" and will kill others no matter what environment they experience. Others are more flexible and if raised in a warlike society will follow suit, likewise a peaceful society.

Answer 8

WE are born and through my experience how you are raised has a lot to do with good and evil.

Answer 9

nature vs. nurture is one of the oldest questions we all have. If your father was a thief, and his father was a thief, does that mean you, in turn, will be a thief? Not necessarily. I believe that the values instilled in you as a child prevail over your adult life. I will always be impressed by those that come from a violent background and choose to rise above it.

Answer 10

We are born neither evil nor good.
We are born neutral until we commit our first evil or good deed.