Are Humans Born to Be Good

Are People Naturally Good or Bad?

So, are we humans naturally good or bad? This question's been a hot topic for philosophers and thinkers for ages. It gets to the heart of what makes us tick and affects stuff like our sense of right and wrong and how we deal with justice. Some folks think we're born ready to be kind and helpful. Others reckon we've got a darker side just waiting to come out. In this little dive into the topic, we'll check out both sides using some smart people's work. But the main idea here? We're born with the chance to go either way, good or bad. It's what we see around us and the choices we make that push us in one direction.

Humans Leaning Towards Goodness

There’s this view that people start off life being pretty decent. The evidence? Take a peek at young kids who seem to get sharing and caring without being told (Warneken & Tomasello, 2009). Some scientists say even babies as young as six months will do things like help others out or share their toys. They believe these actions show we're wired for kindness early on. And then there’s Kohlberg’s theory about how we figure out what's right and wrong. He talks about stages, with the top one being all about doing what's best for everyone (Kohlberg, 1981). It kind of suggests there's this inner voice telling us to be good.

The Argument for Inherent Evil

But then you’ve got another bunch who think people have a natural bent toward being not-so-nice. This crowd focuses on stuff like aggression and self-centeredness as part of human nature. Evolutionary psychologists might tell you that these less friendly traits helped our ancestors survive back in the day (Buss, 2012). There's also research talking about what they call "the dark triad" – Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy – which shows some people might just be hardwired to cause trouble (Furnham, Richards, & Paulhus, 2013). While it seems it’s only a small percentage who lean that way, it's still worth thinking about.

The Role of Society

This whole debate isn't straightforward by any means. A lot depends on what kind of environment someone grows up in. Studies point out that things like parenting styles, the friends you hang with, and cultural norms shape whether you end up more angelic or devilish (Bandura, 1977). It makes sense if you're surrounded by good examples and values; you're probably going to act more upright.

Moral relativism adds another layer by saying what's considered good or evil can really depend on where you are in the world. What's okay in one culture might get frowned upon in another. So maybe it's all about context after all.

Final Thoughts

To wrap this up: Are we born good or bad? It's tricky business! Some say we're naturally nice while others point to our darker instincts. But here's the thing—our behavior seems to be shaped by both our natural inclinations and outside influences. How we're brought up, who we spend time with, what society says—all of that plays a part in steering us towards being better or worse folks.

If anything, understanding this complexity helps us build a kinder society where people have room to choose well.

References:

• Bandura, A. (1977). Social Learning Theory. General Learning Press.
• Buss, D.M. (2012). Evolutionary Psychology: The New Science of the Mind (4th ed.). Pearson Education.
• Furnham, A., Richards, S.C., & Paulhus, D.L. (2013). The Dark Triad of Personality: A 10 Year Review. Social and Personality Psychology Compass.
• Kohlberg, L. (1981). Essays on Moral Development: Vol I: The Philosophy of Moral Development. Harper & Row.
• Warneken F., & Tomasello M., (2009) The roots of human altruism British Journal of Psychology