Is man good or evil? 儒家 vs 猶太 vs 基督 Confucianism, Judaism and Christianity give different answers.

Confucianism

1. Confucian philosophy maintains that people are born good, but if they are not trained in ethical behavior from an early age, they can turn bad:

The Three Character Classic 三字經 reflects the Confucian attitude (implied elements in my translation appear in square brackets).

人之初性本善,性相近,習相遠

1:1:1 [When they are] born,
1:1:2 people [have a] good character
[literally] Human’s beginning, character originally good

1:1:3 [Their] character [is] similar
1:1:4 [but because of what they] learn [they become] different
[literally] Character mutually close, learning mutually distant

Judaism

2. The Jewish take on the question of good and evil is that people are born with both a positive and an evil inclination, but the tendency to do evil is slightly stronger. Thus, traditional Judaism maintains that there is a lifelong need to examine one's behavior for conformity with ethical norms.

Genesis 4:7 (God speaking to Cain, who is unhappy at having his offering ignored) Surely, if you improve yourself, you will be forgiven. But if you do not improve yourself, sin rests at the door. Its desire is toward you, yet you can conquer it.

In his Autobiography, Benjamin Franklin seems to have been trying to improve his character in a similar way through practice of the Thirteen Virtues: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin#Thirteen_Virtues

Franklin sought to cultivate his character by a plan of 13 virtues, which he developed at age 20 (in 1726) and continued to practice in some form for the rest of his life. His autobiography lists his 13 virtues as:

Temperance 節制 Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation. 食不過飽，酒不過量。
Silence 緘默 Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation. 說話對人對己有益，避免無益的空談。
Order 秩序 Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time. 物歸其位，事按其時。
Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."
Frugality. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."
Industry. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."
Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."
Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."
Moderation. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."
Cleanliness. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation."
Tranquility. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."
Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."
Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin#Thirteen_Virtues

Christianity

3. The Christian attitude is that humans are irremediably evil, and nothing they do can overcome this sad fact. Christians look at exactly the same story of Cain and Abel and conclude that the only solution is to believe in Jesus, and all of our sins will be washed away.

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Ethology tells us that chimps (primate brains and behavior are quite similar to ours) are quite capable of the most brutal behavior, including wars which range over several years, as noted researcher Jane Goodall discovered to her dismay:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gombe_Chimpanzee_War

Most Brutal Chimpanzee Society Ever Discovered | Rise of the Warrior Apes

Since we are basically hairless apes, what this all means is that violence is baked in from the moment we are born. Fortunately, the same brains that excel at violence can be tempered by the study and application of ethical principles. Which do you prefer, self-improvement or having your sins washed away for you?

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