Human Nature

The natural way of how one acts, feels and thinks refers to ones human nature. “Nature” refers to something us as humans have acquired naturally. We’re going to be focusing on if humans are born good or evil by human nature. Good, meaning morally right and evil meaning morally wrong or bad. Did we come into this world with a predisposition for good deeds, good thoughts and good intentions? Or are we inherently bad, destined for evil acts, and evil desires? Many argue goodness is inherited, while others believe it is acquired. Some religious views, Christians for example tend to strongly influence the idea that humans are born with a predisposition to sinful behavior, but also have an inherently sinful nature. While some may believe this idea, others stand behind the idea that a good human nature is acquired by many other factors. Such factors include the upbringing of how one was raised. While others include uncontrollable factors such as society and the environmental surroundings. The issue I will be focusing on is, does one’s own upbringing greatly affect them being good or evil? I believe the way one is raised, along with the beliefs that are instilled with, as an individual is what molds him/her into either being good or evil. When good parenting and discipline are carried out, the outcome of one being good is more likely. This type of upbringing provides one with the tools to rationalize right from wrong. With these tools, one can make a better choice when crossing that line from good or evil. Thomas Hobbes believed that humans are naturally born selfish. His approach to human nature implied that selfishness was an evil characteristic each person was born with. His beliefs leaned toward the idea that humans naturally did what was best for themselves to survive, having no regard for others. This, he believed was carried out until other influences were met, such order or structure. Order and structure are just two forms of discipline