<p>Okay, I really need some ideas and since people here are smart, I thought I'd ask you!!</p>
<p>There's gonna be a debate in one of my classes and I don't think I can take either side of the argument. Here's the topic: Are human beings naturally good or evil? If anyone has any opinion whatsoever on this, please help me!!!</p>
<p>Thanks a lot XD</p>
<p>hehehehe...........To be or not to be::::</p>
<p>You first have to define good and evil. What one defines as evil another might define as good. Also they tend to change throughout time.</p>
<p>You mean like democrat and republican????</p>
<p>Oh but of course. Those definitely change. </p>
<p>What one society defines as good could be another's evil. You would also have to determine if there is such a thing as absolute good and absolute evil and how you would define that.</p>
<p>Well here in Bush country good is USA and democracy all else is the ultimate evil.</p>
<p>That is very true. Christian=good. Everything else=bad. </p>
<p>Its wonderful how simple everything has become.</p>
<p>Bush and NASCAR are simple, popular and traveling around like a virus.</p>
<p>Oh the wonders of NASCAR!</p>
<p>Hey there about to be Southern Girl...........some say it is a religion. Family values and the american way.</p>
<p>If the question is, are human beings by nature good or are they evil, I think the answer would be neither. Human beings are by nature both good and evil, no matter how you define "good" and "evil". Even on an individual basis this is true. Everybody has the capacity for good and evil. Anything less is too simplistic.</p>
<p>Humans are not simplistic because the have ........Free Will.......remember that concept?</p>
<p>There are some black humans and some white humans. Most others are gray humans.</p>
<p>^not a commentary on race.</p>
<p>LiLia, I don't think I can agree with you there. You are postulating that a person, any person, can be all good or all evil, and I really think you are not seeing the whole picture. I am sure Adolf Hitler was good to Eva Braun at times. I'm sure Gandhi made errors in judgement at some point in his long life.</p>
<p>And, Hazmat, are you referring to the religious concept of "Free Will"? Perhaps we should keep this as a secular discussion. Not all people base their value system on religious doctrine.</p>
<p>I am keeping it secular.</p>
<p>I suppose you actually have to decide what are the qualities of both "good" and "evil". Not everyone bases these two words on religious doctrine, but I feel that it is hard to get away from their influences. People intertwine their values, customs, beliefs, and religions into their rules and laws. Look all around you, even in our own country rules and laws have some basis in religion. Even with these doctrines in place the definition of what constitues good and evil is still very unclear whatever way you look at it, through a secular or religious lens. Do actions, words, beliefs constitute and demonstrate good and evil...who is to say? Ultimately we have some temporary definition of good and evil...temporary due to the fact that it is constantly changing. Society's views and opinions change over time hence good an evil will change to a certain degree as well. Still, I doubt you will ever find at what exact point someone turns good or evil. </p>
<p>Me just rambling...</p>
<p>Two points to ponder: is a society's value system influenced by religious doctrine, or was religious doctrine created from the value system of a society? And, I disagree that there is such a thing as a person who is good or evil (as you say, "turns good or evil'), as they are always both, good and evil.</p>
<p>so you are asking if there was law before The Garden or The Big Bang?</p>
<p>I am questioning whether our societal values (good and evil) are derived from religion or religion derives its values from society. Sort of chicken or the egg kind of argument.</p>
<p>If it's chicken and egg, there is inherently no answer to your question. Move on, or actually postulate definitions to work with.</p>
<p>As an addenudum, it depends on what society you're talking about. America is under heavy Protestant influence. Somewhere in the deep jungles of Africa...not quite so.</p>