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Poll

Are people naturally good and kind? or bad, mean or selfish?

There is good in everyone
People who are bad, are only that way because they havent either experienced good or kindness towards them, or have gone through alot of suffering...
People are born neither good nor bad, but this changes as they grow up through their environment/circumstances
People who are good, are only that way because they've had alot of luck in life
Everyone is naturally bad/selfish or mean...

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Author Topic: Are people naturally good or bad?  (Read 2628 times)

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kawaiimiyo

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Are people naturally good or bad?
« on: January 17, 2008, 07:18:45 AM »
Just wondering what everyone thinks ^_^
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Rillion

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2008, 09:46:26 AM »
Neither.  Next question?
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DogOn

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2008, 10:59:31 AM »
Most people like to think of themselves as good, though the majority of people end up causing more harm than good to others based on faulty views of what is good and bad

"Never attribute to malice that which can be adequately explained by stupidity"

yup, that pretty much sums it up



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dalebert

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2008, 02:18:05 PM »
Quote
Are people naturally good and kind? or bad, mean or selfish?

Yes.
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Sam Gunn (since nobody got Admiral Naismith)

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2008, 07:39:58 PM »
Neither.
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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2008, 08:06:04 PM »
Both, and neither.
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Zhwazi

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2008, 09:49:17 PM »
"Good" and "bad" are worthless words unless you provide the standard by which you're judging them. Good or bad for what?

People are naturally selfish and kind. Would that be "good" or "bad" by your standard?
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Lindsey

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2008, 10:56:12 PM »
Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.
                                                                                       - Anne Frank

I just like to throw quotes in every now and then.  I'm actually going to go with the answer of "both and neither".  This kind of goes back to the old nature versus nurture argument, I think.  Inherently, we all possess certain qualities, but every experience - every day, every person we meet and everything we go through shapes and defines who we ultimately become, and we I believe we do have some control over it. 

I'll take myself as an example.  I try to do right by most everyone.  I don't like to drink and drive - because I might hurt somebody else.  I'm nice to everyone unless they give me reason not to be.  I don't hurt animals or other people.  But sometimes I want to.  I have horrible, sometimes murderous thoughts and rage all the time.  A lot of people do.  I cannot, and will not act on it if I wish to live a (somewhat) free existence.  Some people can't control their anger, their hatred, and their general awfulness. 

As for selfishness, we all possess some degree of selfishness.  It's hardwired - the instinct to survive.  I don't see why selfishness as a human quality has a negative social stigma.  None of us can absolve ourselves of it completely and pass judgment on another whilst being completely in the "right", so to speak.   
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kawaiimiyo

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2008, 11:41:29 PM »
I'm one of the few people that feels there is good in everyone, and that no one is purely bad or evil, that if they appear that way, that they have just gone through a hard life, or havent experienced enough kindness or love towards them...

My husband thinks i'm completely naive but I feel strongly on that point... I personally cannot understand why anyone, would want to intentionally harm/hurt someone else, I cannot see them wanting to do so, Instead of seeing evil and hate, I see someone who is suffering...maybe to the point they dont know how to deal with there emotions.... and if not that, they havent grown up in a loving environment to understand...

Quote from: Zhwazi on January 17, 2008, 09:49:17 PM
"Good" and "bad" are worthless words unless you provide the standard by which you're judging them. Good or bad for what?

People are naturally selfish and kind. Would that be "good" or "bad" by your standard?

Everyone has there own definitions and standards of good or bad, so i left that open,
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darcgun

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #9 on: January 18, 2008, 11:44:27 AM »
HA!!!  LOL!!

And what "good" do you do?
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Phantgeist

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #10 on: January 18, 2008, 02:12:56 PM »
Wow, I'm he only one who voted "Everyone is naturally bad/selfish or mean"?!

Y'all must be a bunch of overly-sheltered feel-good sissies!  :lol:
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upperdeck

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #11 on: January 19, 2008, 12:24:06 AM »
Im both good and bad depending on the circumstance...Yes...flawed
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Lindsey

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #12 on: January 19, 2008, 12:27:39 AM »
Quote from: Phantgeist on January 18, 2008, 02:12:56 PM
Wow, I'm he only one who voted "Everyone is naturally bad/selfish or mean"?!

Y'all must be a bunch of overly-sheltered feel-good sissies!  :lol:


The Kool-Aid is working. 
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bakerbaker

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #13 on: January 21, 2008, 02:48:14 PM »
Quote from: Phantgeist on January 18, 2008, 02:12:56 PM
Wow, I'm he only one who voted "Everyone is naturally bad/selfish or mean"?!

Y'all must be a bunch of overly-sheltered feel-good sissies! :lol:


i would say everyone is naturally primarily self-interested on many levels...but i wouldn't classify it as an inherantly bad or evil thing.

I voted that people are neither good nor bad; but more a result of their upbringing and surroundings.
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Bill Brasky

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Re: Are people naturally good or bad?
« Reply #14 on: January 23, 2008, 01:22:55 PM »
People are inherently good.



Its like killing grass.  Grass grows.  But it takes effort to kill it.



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