Are Human Beings Inherently Good or Bad?

in #philosophy7 years ago (edited)

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A friend asked me recently if I had watched the news lately and I told her what l'm going to tell you. I stopped watching the news a long time ago. I just can't handle all the constant negativity that they show.

If an extra-terrestrial being was to judge the human race solely based on our various news media, it would think that we are a barbaric race of species that still hasn't evolved into anything intelligible.

Of course the reality that they show isn't the only reality and even that, is quite exaggerated in my honest opinion. But it still always makes me want to ask if we are inherently good or bad beings.

I mean, we all like to believe that we are good people, right? No one would go around telling other people that they are bad and out to get you! Well, except for a few cases anyways.

But even the self proclaimed good people are not completely free of wrong doings. So, is our species inherently good or bad? Or is the question redundant in its asking?

The State of the World

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We are all aware of the state of the world and how dire things are worldwide. Don't worry, I'm not trying to be like the news. Just stating some facts here that I think will be important to answer our question.

It's a glaring fact that inequality is rampant in the world in every way imaginable! There is income inequality, there is educational inequality and even in today's world, there is gender based inequality.

There are people who waste food without even a second thought and some that even play with it just because it's fun and then there are people who aren't even able to fill their stomachs everyday.

There are countless wars fought for hidden agendas about which the public isn't informed squat! Millions of innocent people die and many more lose their loved ones in wars they had no part in.

Similarly there is so much damage to the environment going on and we are a huge reason for that.

What I'm trying to say is that, despite having the technology to solve the problems I've mentioned, despite having enough resources to satisfy every single person, why is the world in such a state, or rather, how come we let that happen? What does it say about us?

How I Look At It

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I really like a saying that I had read somewhere that goes, "The world is in chaos not because bad people have made it that way, but because the good ones have remained silent for so long."

I guess if more good people would have been in charge of some really key areas, and if they had managed to keep the forces of evil at bay, this would have been a totally different world.

As to the answer of the question I posed, I believe that, there is a little good in bad, a little bad in good and it is the relationship between the two that determines how things are going to be.

The question now is, do we let nature's 'survival of the fittest' rule our very existence or do we change the rules of the game?

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Good or bad is a perception of observer. Lets say that one commits murder, now from human point of view that person is bad. If we look, from perspective of a snake that murderer just helped a snake, one less that could threaten her existence.

Lets say that extraterrestrials come to earth. What do you think would happen? Many would say that we could come to an agreement and they would offer us their advanced technology. I ask you why?
How do we act towards ants. Do we offer them our help? Do we bring them food? No. We most of the time don't even see them. Sometimes we even intentionally step on them. I'm talking about majority of course.

Its all just a survival game where you have to live by the rules of society that you live in. Good and bad is defined by it.

It's all perception at the end of the day. Completely agreed!

I just upvoted my comment. Many would call me bad. I call it a survival.

Then I've made a point in the definition.

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How much did he pay for the upvote?

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[More specifically] -> 'link or similar targeting of upvote'

If you haven't written this I would've written loads and loads of lines on what's wrong with upvoting your comments on other people posts, but since you probably know... Good Luck.

Its all just a survival game where you have to live by the rules of society that you live in. Good and bad is defined by it.

Who gets to decide these rules? the community? the one who rules them? anyone?... yes. after the rules are defined we can use them to define Good & Bad.

Lets say that extraterrestrials come to earth. What do you think would happen? Many would say that we could come to an agreement and they would offer us their advanced technology. I ask you why?
How do we act towards ants. Do we offer them our help? Do we bring them food?

Your comment is way too interesting!!.. I agree, as humans (most of us) only care about fellow humans close people to us!! and I won't call this thing "Bad".

Dude you just said what I was about to say lol

This was a wonderful read, I love this:
"I believe that, there is a little good in bad, a little bad in good and it is the relationship between the two that determines how things are going to be."

I think there is always something good that comes from something bad, and vice versa. When people ask if the glass is half empty or half full... its not one or the other, it is both. I think seeing the good in life but acknowledging that the bad also exists is a very important aspect of life.

We think alike!

"I think seeing the good in life but acknowledging that the bad also exists is a very important aspect of life." THIS!!

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Life is always good, especially if you're rich!

Hahaha I have read several accounts of people who have loads of money and are still not happy!

Your opinions on media and news are absolutely correct , in my opinion these people do have the authority to judge the credentials of other human beings.
long live steemit @sauravrungta

Yeah they shape opinions like no other!

yes you are right i agree with your opinions ok i voted you
wellcome to my bolg @farhannaqvi7 :) always be happy

We cannot change the natural laws. The survival of the fittest is always how it is going to be, and that's why we realise, understand, get mature and keep on trying again and again to be amongst the fittest.

I liked the theory about little good in bad and little bad in the good. The symbol of yin and yang describes it quite well. Have a look at my philosophies as well, i can also rhyme whatever i want to write about. You would surely find some mind boggling stuff at my page. Keep up your good work :)

Yeah, nature will always have the last say. Natural laws are not something we can break easily. But as humans, I do believe that we can overcome that primal animalistic instincts and live as more than just another species on the planet, characeterised by morals and not the 'eat or get eaten' rule. That's my hope anyways.

I really like your post, it is so true. I hate the news but my hubby reads it to me so I can not be nasty.

I try to avoid any source of news I can :D

A splendid read. Yes there often is a silent majority that will not speak up and change the rules. They have become afraid to speak out. They have too many distraction in life - children, family, work tv shows, facebook and maybe even steemit. They are apathetic and have chosen to drink the kool aid or in our world fluoride in the water which has dumbed us down. If only 5 percent of them chose to rise up it would make a difference between good and bad. When good people do nothing bad people dance on the playground of life. The question what will it take? How do we motivate the silent to speak and take action? Any suggestions? Thanks for sharing. - Troy

I completely agree. Though Inbelieve that even 1% of them will be enough to bring change. I mean take a look at history. Sometimes all it takes is 1 person even to bring about a worlwide change!

That is so true however that must rise out of their apathetic state to make a difference. It can be done with a fearless conviction. I t is a matter of how much will people take before they rise up. At the moment they are too distracted to have the conviction.

Yes. It always takes somethIng major to make people motivated to change the world. Right now they are distracted but who onows what future event mightead them to wake up.

For me lies in the need of each person.

Good is a concept that is wide open. Yes I believe that people do bad things Why I dont know. I think it stems from not telling the truth to people from when they are small. Most are taught its OK to lie. You cant tell kids the truth because they wont understand. It is survival of the fittest don't kid yourself. This society is killing them off and dumbing them down is working well. Good? Bad??

Survival of the fittest is still the name of the game.

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