Just trying to get a general feel for social attitudes here. Let's try not to let this devolve into some nasty debate.
Negative - I believe humans are intrinsically bad/evil/selfish.
I don't believe people generally are inherently good or bad. I think some people are naturally very empathetic, caring and genuine, and some people may naturally be more selfish and even cruel or evil (think psychopath). I think these are the outliers though.
I believe most people form their natures through their choices, actions, reinforcement/punishment in childhood, etc.
I believe most people form their natures through their choices, actions, reinforcement/punishment in childhood, etc.
I think we all had the potential to be good people; that no one is born evil. But that our environment coupled with our particular traits can break us if we are not treated well or neglected as children then that goodness is buried or stamped out of us. Some can handle more abuse and some less.
So yes, we are intrinsically good, we are born with the capacity to be moral agents. But it can leave us so quickly. And on and on the cycle goes. It's gross and cruel and unfair.
It's a lot of what John Stuart Mill talked about with the idea of the tender plant:
"Capacity for the nobler feelings is in most natures a very tender plant, easily killed, not only by hostile influences, but by mere want of sustenance; and in the majority of young persons it speedily dies away if the occupations to which their position in life has devoted them, and the society into which it has thrown them, are not favourable to keeping that higher capacity in exercise."
So yes, we are intrinsically good, we are born with the capacity to be moral agents. But it can leave us so quickly. And on and on the cycle goes. It's gross and cruel and unfair.
It's a lot of what John Stuart Mill talked about with the idea of the tender plant:
"Capacity for the nobler feelings is in most natures a very tender plant, easily killed, not only by hostile influences, but by mere want of sustenance; and in the majority of young persons it speedily dies away if the occupations to which their position in life has devoted them, and the society into which it has thrown them, are not favourable to keeping that higher capacity in exercise."
I hate humans. And their bature is destructive for everyone, no peace, no agreement and no help can be expected of almost any of them. They simply are better dead; then, they won't harm never again.
Last edited by a moderator:
I'm a misanthrope.
Throughout my life I've met only a handful of people who seemed good and only one who truly was. You have to dig trough so much shit to find anyone worthwhile.
Throughout my life I've met only a handful of people who seemed good and only one who truly was. You have to dig trough so much shit to find anyone worthwhile.
Zanexx
Dead
- Jul 15, 2018
- 189
Neutral to negative - I'm generally misanthropic and I feel humans as a whole are intrinsically selfish, but I don't think this is malicious, just instinctual. I've certainly met some people who seem to be well-intentioned and some might say "good" though. Altruism... not sure about that...
mattwitt
# 978
- Jun 28, 2018
- 2,307
My thoughts and feeling towards human beings is 1000 % negative !!!
There is nothing good about human beings as individuals or human beings as a whole !
Human beings are the most selfish, inconsiderate, messed up, self destructive beings in the universe !
There is nothing good about human beings as individuals or human beings as a whole !
Human beings are the most selfish, inconsiderate, messed up, self destructive beings in the universe !
mattwitt
# 978
- Jun 28, 2018
- 2,307
Here's a list of synonym's for the word "Hypocrite" I think it best describes human beings along with the words "liars", "cheaters", and "thieves" : )
https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/hypocrite
https://www.thesaurus.com/browse/hypocrite
I'm not sure altruism really exists either. A reddit used named NonoNatal once said it perfectly. Even if you pull a friend out of a burning building you're still doing it to get something out of the situation (in this case your friend). People can be selfless but in an ultimately selfish way... if that makes sense.
Humans are monkeys with a conscience. At the end of the day: everything we do is for survival. Humanity isn't bad, but we're not always good either. I've seen the worst parts of the world, but I know there are good people.
Destin
Member
- Aug 15, 2018
- 32
I'm neutral. I don't believe in extremes, but if you held a gun to my head I'd say it's all good. Misguided, but all good.
Alanis Morissette said we are all just bumper cars bumping into each other, and that's why forgiveness is important.
It's my buddhist tendencies but I don't think the world would be the way it is now if it was all bad an evil. Its clear to me that despite greed the human species is at least striving to become something more, safe... happy.
Alanis Morissette said we are all just bumper cars bumping into each other, and that's why forgiveness is important.
It's my buddhist tendencies but I don't think the world would be the way it is now if it was all bad an evil. Its clear to me that despite greed the human species is at least striving to become something more, safe... happy.
agreed? although couldn't resist the temptation to add, if they have a gun to your head, why do you have to do anything?
Destin
Member
- Aug 15, 2018
- 32
Midnight
Beyond solace
- Jun 30, 2018
- 624
Some are good some are shit that's about all i think of the matter.
Brokenanddeadinside
Arcanist
- Aug 8, 2018
- 403
Take away everything that makes people comfortable like electricity tv and things like that like if the shit hit the fan and humanity will show its true self.
I think most humans have altruistic sides of them and selfish sides of them. Then there are a few that are pure evil.
