Is evil an inborn trait of mankind.

[Burnagirl]

Of course evil is inherent in human nature ... you just have to look at a babe who has been exposed to very little in their young lives and watch them grasp at something as scream and kick and cry "mine mine mine" ...

It isnt taught, evil is as natural as breathing to mankind ... neither is it a choice, as a matter of fact, I'll even go as far saying that you cannot prevent yourself from committing "evil".

Now comes the question, "according to what standard" ?

Because to be evil, it must have arrived at that status or point by being the opposite of good ... example; George only killed 2 people but Harry killed 59 ... George according to people who love violence or death is

just a beginner, a novice, he's a punk, a goody two shoes ... wheras Harry is the "man" babe.

So accordingly there must be a standard to measure against ... what standard are you using ?

 

Let's be honest, If you lie then you are a liar ... if you steal whether it's money or time from your boss, or a pen from the office then you're a thief ... need I go on.

People afford themselves opportunities which they wouldnt necessarily allow others because that would be letting them get away with stuff ... and we can't have that now can we ... that's selfishness,

Cursing people is ok because they offended me, but dont you darfe that to me ...

 

I'll say it again, ultimately, it all boils down to the standard you are using ... one man's meat is another man's poison.

 

On a final note, there is no religion on this earth other than satanism which denies the reality of evil being inherent in humanity ... and seeing as religion is a big no-no here on the forums, I'll say no more.

[grannywils]

Burnagirl, once again I disagree but find your points intriguing and possibly valid. I'm thinking it might be a matter of semantics though. You have used the term "according to what standard", and I guess that would be the same as saying, "how do you describe evil. So what you are saying is, do you think stealing a pen is just as evil as robbing a bank? While I might say are either one of those particular acts in fact "evil" I guess you are saying that the baby grasping and saying "mine, mine" is an inherently evil act. I don't necessarily see it that way. I do see it as an act of human nature though, which is certainly not always inherently positive. So, I guess I agree with your question, "according to what standard"? What we seem to be groping for is a definition of evil. But I still stand by my original post, which said that I do not believe that human beings are inherently evil but are capable of evil behavior, just as they are capable of good behavior. But they are also capable of choice.

[Ihoe]

Evil, caused by indigestion, is a factor that influences many of our lives. It causes earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and melting popsicles. But how do its perpetrators feel? Probably not very well, considering the indigestion.(exaggeration imminent!)

 

giving a synonym for evilness requires an example, leading us to reification of this term. i disagree with it, our symbol of good is God, the symbol of evil is Satan, non of which we see, but we can prove their existence. but how can we be sure we're right? all of our science is based on theories, theories are denied mostly, with new and better ones coming after. evilness is the product of emotions, whether the person is the judge or the defendant. you believe Hitler is evil, Nazis don't. I believe child killers are evil, child killers don't (some do). many serial killers became evil (or serial killers) because of the psychological trauma they had experienced. PETA says that Meat Companies are evil, I disagree while Marilyn (someone) agrees. if i had to look in the dictionary to find out the synonym for evil, i wouldn't learn it thoroughly. what i see in real life that people refer to as evil makes me call a person like that evil, not what the definition says in the dictionary.

 

for evil, we can never have a standard, unless we put an ultimatum in place like Satan, that is unimaginably evil, yet understandable.

 

therefore, i disagree, it's not inborn, especially when you generalize it to mankind. yet some people seem to become corrupt more easily than the others, some remain to be divine figures, that's another story, but who knows? God? I'll go ask God.

[TheCalliton]

im just gonna warn ya'll that this topic really involves religion

i myself cant really add to this topic without mentioning my religion, so im just warning ya'll

[Burnagirl]

im just gonna warn ya'll that this topic really involves religion

i myself cant really add to this topic without mentioning my religion, so im just warning ya'll

 

Yes it does involve religion ... but I suppose it's how you say it, without really saying it ...

[evilneko]

im just gonna warn ya'll that this topic really involves religion

i myself cant really add to this topic without mentioning my religion, so im just warning ya'll

 

Not really.

 

The question of what is good and what is evil, the concept of right and wrong, predates religion.

 

If I were to boil down my stance on the question to a single sentence, it'd go something like this: since both good and evil are subjective, neither can be an inherent trait in any species--including ours.

 

No religion there. :thumbsup:

[TheCalliton]

im just saying!

we had this discussion in my religion class at school

ill stay out of it, but it was just a firendly warning

[Chaosblade02]

Evil is in the perspective of each person, what some people call evil, someone else might call just. And I don't think anyone is born with tendencies of any way, they are all depending on the circumstances of their up bringing and life experiences. Often times the most disturbed people in society, also had a very traumatic childhood, or experienced things that could potentially break any person to the brink of insanity.

[Lisnpuppy]

I do not think so.

 

Genetic or biophysical links have been studied and certain things found, like stinted growth of areas of the brain that make a person perhaps quick to anger, or respond more aggressively. However that in of itself is not evil. Evil is far more complex that this...and indeed is partial perspective and opinions or beliefs of the person deciding if something is evil or not.

[RebelOConner]

I do not think so.

 

Genetic or biophysical links have been studied and certain things found, like stinted growth of areas of the brain that make a person perhaps quick to anger, or respond more aggressively. However that in of itself is not evil. Evil is far more complex that this...and indeed is partial perspective and opinions or beliefs of the person deciding if something is evil or not.

I agree.

as evil can't be quantifiable, the only way to explain evil acts are upbringingn influence of the society and sometimes personalty disorders- but mental insanity is not evil, it's a sickness.