Is it not true that those that we consider monsters....Please read on...?

Question

Isn't it true that those we consider to be monsters or monsterous are simply lacking in human kindness and that human kindness instead of being an instinctual response is infact a learned behaviour? Therefore do we not (as a society and personally) have to accept the responsibility for the existance of those we consider monsters?

Why/Why not? Please xplain your answers.

Thanks.

Answer 1

Yes, indeed society as well as each one of us as a member of that society must own up the responsibility, at least in part, for the children that grow up to be monstrously evil, because no child is born evil.

However, there is little that can be done beyond such acceptance of responsibility, because once those children have grown up to be the monsters they are, there is little that can be done to put them back on the right path... their mindset gets so rigid and stiff that it is next to impossible to change even when opportunity for change is provided... once they have lost respect for the social norms and values, it is not possible to inculcate the same all over again. The only other option is to save the society from their evil presence by putting them behind bars..... Of course I am of the very firm opinion that Capital Punishment is NEVER warranted under any circumstances, for any crime, not even for genocide..... that in my view is the only way to deal with the situation on hand.

One may argue why can society not change so as not to create such evil monsters....... on the contrary, society is in fact changing for the worse and the incidence of the creation of such victimized monsters in increasing day by day... the reason for that is the trend of utter selfishness, individualistic approach, freedom being defined too liberally to suit the wellbeing of society, eclipse of human values, materialism and short-term approach etc. Unless all these trends can reverse, the society is going to be more and more responsible for the creation of bigger and bigger monsters watching them creating mayhem helplessly.

Our individual values have to get back to the wise moralities set by our forefathers which in my view were less to do with spirituality and much more to do with social upliftment and wellbeing of all.

Answer 2

I think you should look at it another way. The people lacking in human kindness, don't they learn to be that way? Through atmosphere or movies or what have you. Perhaps kindness is instinctual, and there are a select few that learn to not be kind. That learn kindness can hurt them. The conclusion is still the same, we have to accept responsibility for the monsters we create.

Here's an example: let's say that a boy is sitting at a table at school eating lunch. Another boy comes over and introduces himself, sits with boy #1, and they start to become friends. Then, a group of other children come along and start making fun of the two boys. Maybe they say such things as: if you sit with boy #1, then you're a retard because boy #1 is a retard and no one wants to sit with a retard, that's why he's always alone. So boy #2, wanting to fit in, gets up and sits with the other children.

What are the morals of the story? Boy #1 learns that no one wants to be his friend because there must be something wrong with him. He might have also learned that no one will really be kind to him, therefore, he doesn't have to be kind to anyone else. Boy #2 learned that you need to fit in. He might also have learned that there are only certain people who deserve kindness.

Sorry if I didn't really answer your question, I just think there are two different ways to look at it.

Answer 3

Having worked in a system, as a social worker and therapist, where people were jailed because they were so-called monsters, it became evident that once you hear their life story, they have been conditioned to be the way they are. Most of them were sexually, ritually, emotionally, and/or physically abused as children. When this is done to a child, they stifle their anger until it cannot be contained any longer - usually in their early teens or early adulthood. A child who is abandoned emotionally at an early age, learns to bury their feelings so deeply that after a while, they just don't feel anything, except rage. What they have done can never be condoned, but they are victims of society, too.

Answer 4

If it was learned then where would we have learned it from in the first place? No, it has to be something that is part of human nature, and this makes perfect sense in the light of evolution. Evil also makes sense, as variation is the raw material of natural selection - some people will tend to be very caring, compassionate, empathetic, and some will not - the latter tending to be regarded as evil.

Answer 5

Do we have responsibility for the monsters amongst us? You bet. I don't care about their past or what has made them what they are. And if one of these creatures raped your daughter or killed your wife I absolutely guarantee you that your philosophical insulation from the subject would disappear in an instant. That they are monsters is the point. and how we protect ourselves from them is the imperative. Anti moster legislation? Good luck with that.

Answer 6

it maybe a learned behavior. and yes, the society is also accountable, no doubt about that. but then, let's not underestimate the abilities of a human. we are able to process higher levels of cognition. and because of this, we are able to choose. we have the power of choice. if some people are unkind, it's their choice and reasoning that they are victims of this cruel society is scapegoating, a form of displacement, and projection. we have the power of freewill. and i believe humans use them in every action that we undertake. ^_^