Is everyone inherently good?

deadnothingbetterdeadnothingbetter Posts: 2,202
edited December 2007 in A Moving Train
What is evil to you?

I was reading Will Smith's comments about Hitler and how the Jewish Defense League ignorantly took his comments out of proportion and got me to thinking about this. Most people would argue that Hitler wasn't a "human" and that he was pure evil. But what the hell is evil in the first place? Does that make Hitler a child of the devil?

http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4052017&page=1
This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
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  • Nope, I'm afraid we're all inherently selfish.... but some of us fight against our natures.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • Nope, I'm afraid we're all inherently selfish.... but some of us fight against our natures.
    so what's good and what's evil? just wondering about people's interpretations about this certain topic.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    Nope, I'm afraid we're all inherently selfish.... but some of us fight against our natures.
    Actually the selfish trait has to be nurtured in order for it to become second nature-though capitalism it becomes apparent. But Human beings are innately selfLESS, look at a family structure and see how it operates.
  • deadnotedeadnote Posts: 1,678
    evil is controlling , like being a slave is evil

    isnt that sad that being a slave to the master

    actually causes you to be just like them

    what a piece of shit
    set your laughter free

    dreamer in my dream

    we got the guns

    i love you,but im..............callin out.........callin out
  • NMyTreeNMyTree Posts: 2,374
    Will Smith's comments, in my opinion, were correct and accurate.

    The Anti-Defamation League's reaction was mindlessly ignorant, manipulative and simply pulled-off their standard over-reaction.

    Ever notice how the Anti-Defamation League immediately jumps on or jumps in, any time anyone expresses an opinion on Hitler/The Holocaust; with this "we'll judge this person's words and decide whether he/she should be forgiven or permitted to speak his/her opinion..." type of attitude and approach?

    It's ridiculous. Their quotes in this article are laughable.

    It is the Anti-Defamation League's own ignorance and stupidity; and that ignorance of some people who reacted like morons (before thinking) to Smith's words.

    Way back in the beginning, Hitler did start out with a very noble cause.

    Non-jewish german's were descriminated against and hung out to dry by the jewish corporations/businesses. They had a monopoly and excluded non-jewish germans from any kind of true financial stability, future career advancement and prosperity.

    He wanted to establish social and economic balance and equality for the non-jewish germans.

    Unfortunately, Hitler completely lost his mind. He let vicious hate and an all consuming contempt for the Jews people take control of his every thought and action.

    The Jews are exactly like every other race/religion of people on this planet.

    They have their good points, bad points, strengths and flaws.

    And just like every other group of people on this planet, they have an unhealthy amount of elitist racists/bigots with a superiority complex; who are always involved in some kind of under-handed crap.

    And it is NOT anti-Semitism to point that out or to say so. It is a simple fact.
  • people are good...

    except they don't think or see both sides of every issue always.


    many are just outright stupid and don't want to learn, or experience. they have drawn their own opinions and hold fast to those opinions and will argue even knowing they are wrong.

    but still they are good...

    everyone is selfish, there are many levels to selfishness...some are just closer to the upper tier of mass selfishness (these are the people I'd like to drag behind my truck with a good rope)
    the Minions
  • Commy wrote:
    Actually the selfish trait has to be nurtured in order for it to become second nature-though capitalism it becomes apparent. But Human beings are innately selfLESS, look at a family structure and see how it operates.

    I'd like to see you argue that family structure ITSELF is innate to humanity; it isn't. Our society is rife with family breakdown and disintegration. The only thing innate to our humanity is survival of the fittest; every man for himself.

    Unfortunately. Like I said, there are people who fly in the face of that view, but they have a hard time being alive.
    'We're learning songs for baby Jesus' birthday. His mum and dad were Merry and Joseph. He had a bed made of clay and the three kings bought him Gold, Frankenstein and Merv as presents.'

    - the great Sir Leo Harrison
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    no people are not inherently good. People are not all necessarily the "worst of the worst", but to say inherently good...nope.
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • CommyCommy Posts: 4,984
    chopitdown wrote:
    no people are not inherently good. People are not all necessarily the "worst of the worst", but to say inherently good...nope.
    My sister teaches first grade I think...

    She claims her students are amazingly perceptive, and whenever moral issues are brought up they usually side with what we consider to be good. Its just natural for them.

    Its only after 20 years of public education and any number in the workplace do individuals get a sense of competition, and they turn from working together to working agaisnt one another. And so we see individuals, given power, doing whatever it takes to keep that power, violence if necessary.
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    Commy wrote:
    My sister teaches first grade I think...

    She claims her students are amazingly perceptive, and whenever moral issues are brought up they usually side with what we consider to be good. Its just natural for them.

    Its only after 20 years of public education and any number in the workplace do individuals get a sense of competition, and they turn from working together to working agaisnt one another. And so we see individuals, given power, doing whatever it takes to keep that power, violence if necessary.

    it's one thing to side with good in a class when you don't actually have to make the choice. My guess is that if you ask someone if they would do something, they say they would do the "good" thing. I would contend the students know what the right thing is and they don't want to let the teacher down; therefore, they say the right answer. What happens when the rubber meets the road?? What is the students reaction to your sister if they do soemthing wrong? Do they fess up, or do they deny it. I've witnessed numerous occasions where people (kids, adults) flat out lie, b/c they don't want to admit to doing something. Again, I'm not saying that everyone is inherently as bad as possible, b/c that's just as difficult to say (imho) as everyone is good. People do make good decisions, there's not doubt about it. But i think there's a certain naivite or wishful thinking in the presupposition that people are naturally good. I'd love to be wrong about that.
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • LikeAnOceanLikeAnOcean Posts: 7,718
    The glass is half empty or half full.. however you want to look at it.
  • JOEJOEJOEJOEJOEJOE Posts: 10,619
    NMyTree wrote:
    Will Smith's comments, in my opinion, were correct and accurate.

    The Anti-Defamation League's reaction was mindlessly ignorant, manipulative and simply pulled-off their standard over-reaction.

    Ever notice how the Anti-Defamation League immediately jumps on or jumps in, any time anyone expresses an opinion on Hitler/The Holocaust; with this "we'll judge this person's words and decide whether he/she should be forgiven or permitted to speak his/her opinion..." type of attitude and approach?

    It's ridiculous. Their quotes in this article are laughable.

    It is the Anti-Defamation League's own ignorance and stupidity; and that ignorance of some people who reacted like morons (before thinking) to Smith's words.

    Way back in the beginning, Hitler did start out with a very noble cause.

    Non-jewish german's were descriminated against and hung out to dry by the jewish corporations/businesses. They had a monopoly and excluded non-jewish germans from any kind of true financial stability, future career advancement and prosperity.

    He wanted to establish social and economic balance and equality for the non-jewish germans.

    Unfortunately, Hitler completely lost his mind. He let vicious hate and an all consuming contempt for the Jews people take control of his every thought and action.

    The Jews are exactly like every other race/religion of people on this planet.

    They have their good points, bad points, strengths and flaws.

    And just like every other group of people on this planet, they have an unhealthy amount of elitist racists/bigots with a superiority complex; who are always involved in some kind of under-handed crap.

    And it is NOT anti-Semitism to point that out or to say so. It is a simple fact.

    Wow, you must be the oldest PJ fan in the world if you are old enough to haved experienced being hung out to dry by German Jews. How else could you have such a strong opinion?


    Underhanded crap?

    I hope one day you find some enlightenment and let go of your stereotypes, my friend.
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    The glass is half empty or half full.. however you want to look at it.

    No, it's just half a glass.



    We are all good and we are all evil. These traits reside in all of us. Sometimes we are good, sometimes we are evil. People do what works for them. So if they get more out of being evil then they'll keep being evil, if they get more out of being good then they keep being good. To suggest that Hitler was evil and completely controlling gives him far more power than he actually held. He wasn't alone. He couldn't commit genocide on that scale all on his own and he didn't. He was able to do what he did because people helped him. Other people. People that may or may not have been evil either. Nobody is all one thing or another. Life is never black and white, never half empty or half full, no one is ever all good or all evil.

    The only thing necessary for evil to prosper is for good people to stay silent.
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
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  • LikeAnOceanLikeAnOcean Posts: 7,718
    Jeanie wrote:
    No, it's just half a glass.



    We are all good and we are all evil. These traits reside in all of us. Sometimes we are good, sometimes we are evil. People do what works for them. So if they get more out of being evil then they'll keep being evil, if they get more out of being good then they keep being good. To suggest that Hitler was evil and completely controlling gives him far more power than he actually held. He wasn't alone. He couldn't commit genocide on that scale all on his own and he didn't. He was able to do what he did because people helped him. Other people. People that may or may not have been evil either. Nobody is all one thing or another. Life is never black and white, never half empty or half full, no one is ever all good or all evil.

    The only thing necessary for evil to prosper is for good people to stay silent.
    Keep in mind, everyone has a different definition of what is good and what is evil.. right and wrong basically comes down to political views.
  • JordyWordyJordyWordy Posts: 2,261
    Keep in mind, everyone has a different definition of what is good and what is evil.. right and wrong basically comes down to political views.


    i think Jeanie's point (correct me if im wrong) is that humans are inherently good AND evil.

    regardless of your perspective from politics or morals, all humans have some level of behaviour they believe to be virtuous and other that is not.

    "Good and Evil" are not two positions that are there for humans to fall into once we are born, they are Opposites created and sustained by human nature and behaviour.
  • brain of cbrain of c Posts: 5,213
    i am evil.
  • were all born with an instinctive sense of right and wrong i believe...ie we feel bad if we upset someone or do something wrong.... its the world around us that desensitises us and blurrs our perceptions and so evilness comes as we grow and the world around us has its effect upon us
  • Keep in mind, everyone has a different definition of what is good and what is evil.. right and wrong basically comes down to political views.
    that's another valid argument.
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    Wow, you must be the oldest PJ fan in the world if you are old enough to haved experienced being hung out to dry by German Jews. How else could you have such a strong opinion?


    Underhanded crap?

    I hope one day you find some enlightenment and let go of your stereotypes, my friend.
    i'm just wondering... where in the post you quoted is the person stereotyping?
    This isn't the land of opportunity, it's the land of competition.
  • JordyWordyJordyWordy Posts: 2,261
    JOEJOEJOE wrote:
    How else could you have such a strong opinion?


    I hope one day you find some enlightenment and let go of your stereotypes, my friend.

    his opinion didnt seem particularly strong to be fair. who is he stereotyping?
  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    What is evil to you?

    I was reading Will Smith's comments about Hitler and how the Jewish Defense League ignorantly took his comments out of proportion and got me to thinking about this. Most people would argue that Hitler wasn't a "human" and that he was pure evil. But what the hell is evil in the first place? Does that make Hitler a child of the devil?

    http://www.abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=4052017&page=1

    people are inherently bad. they must be taught to be good. otherwise they resort to their natural instincts which is food; protection; and reproduction.
  • people are inherently bad. they must be taught to be good. otherwise they resort to their natural instincts which is food; protection; and reproduction.


    so why when were children/toddlers do we instinctively feel such things as regret or sorrow if we know *instinctively* weve done something wrong??

    no one is born evil.... its our surroundings surely
  • theres a difference from been born imperfect, and born evil.
    ...were born imperfect, but with the human instincts of goodness
  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    so why when were children/toddlers do we instinctively feel such things as regret or sorrow if we know *instinctively* weve done something wrong??

    no one is born evil.... its our surroundings surely

    i've got a puppy. he feels i love him and care for him and when i'm cross with him; he shows sorrow too. but if left on his own; like feral dogs; he too would revert to his natural instincts.

    if we are not taught good from bad; evil does not exist for us because we wouldn't know what evil is. evil may be you trying to steal my food.
    i'm sure that smart bloke could explain natural instincts better. i'm recovering from a brain injury so please forgive me.
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    evil is a construct.
    was there any differentiation between good and evil before religion? my thinking is that all things that are deemed evil are just natural instincts. instincts that are suppressed by a society that feels we are above such things. above all the other animals that inhabit the earth. that somehow we are able to control these things. and that in doing so, we are able to elevate ourselves above the animals. evil needs a morality to sustain and 'justify' it. is that morality an absolute? maybe. personally i doubt it. but maybe tis also subjective. what do you all think?
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  • onelongsongonelongsong Posts: 3,517
    Keep in mind, everyone has a different definition of what is good and what is evil.. right and wrong basically comes down to political views.

    what kind of political views does a young child have? the word inherently brings the discussion to birth. if the title were ARE PEOPLE BASICALLY GOOD OR BAD; then the answer would be divided. for the most part; people are good to people who are good to them. if you are good to me; i'd be the best friend you ever had. if you are bad to me; i'd be the worst enemy you ever had. the division comes when good meets bad. those who will take advantage of people because they are good (and trusting, etc).
  • i've got a puppy. he feels i love him and care for him and when i'm cross with him; he shows sorrow too. but if left on his own; like feral dogs; he too would revert to his natural instincts.

    if we are not taught good from bad; evil does not exist for us because we wouldn't know what evil is. evil may be you trying to steal my food.
    i'm sure that smart bloke could explain natural instincts better. i'm recovering from a brain injury so please forgive me.


    yep animals will revert to fending for themselves etc if needs must, but they wouldnt suddenly do evil acts...
    they kill to eat cos they must...they dont kill things just because they want to for no reasons...

    their instinct is to look after themselves i agree...

    but evil only exists because people CHOOSE that course in life i would say
  • evil is a construct.
    was there any differentiation between good and evil before religion? my thinking is that all things that are deemed evil are just natural instincts. instincts that are suppressed by a society that feels we are above such things. above all the other animals that inhabit the earth. that somehow we are able to control these things. and that in doing so, we are able to elevate ourselves above the animals. evil needs a morality to sustain and 'justify' it. is that morality an absolute? maybe. personally i doubt it. but maybe tis also subjective. what do you all think?

    good point....
    but our instincts tell us 'evil is wrong', thats why were not all child molesterin, evil killers....

    religion has alot to do with it though yes
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    good point....
    but our instincts tell us 'evil is wrong', thats why were not all child molesterin, evil killers....

    religion has alot to do with it though yes

    no... our instincts tell us that child molestation is offensive to our sensibilities. not that it is evil. instincts that are quite possible moulded by the society in which we live. tis society generally that tells us what is evil. when was it decided what age a child is? some societies do not even have a childhood that is universally recognised. some cultures go straight from childhood to adulthood through ritual. so where is that in between where one grows and matures into what could be quite possibly deemed an acceptable ideal of an adult?
    as for us not all being evil killers... what makes you think that all killers are evil?
    hear my name
    take a good look
    this could be the day
    hold my hand
    lie beside me
    i just need to say
  • no... our instincts tell us that child molestation is offensive to our sensibilities. not that it is evil. instincts that are quite possible moulded by the society in which we live. tis society generally that tells us what is evil. when was it decided what age a child is? some societies do not even have a childhood that is universally recognised. some cultures go straight from childhood to adulthood through ritual. so where is that in between where one grows and matures into what could be quite possibly deemed an acceptable ideal of an adult?
    as for us not all being evil killers... what makes you think that all killers are evil?


    erm erm....

    your good!
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