Humanity: Are Humans Inherently Good Or Evil?
The Question of Humanity’s Morality
Are humans inherently good or evil? Some people would say that humans are naturally good and compassionate, and have to try to be evil. Others argue that humans are evil, and to be good we have to overcome the evilness that naturally resides in us. In reality, mankind is neither inherently good nor evil. It is our brain development, upbringing, culture, and environment that determines where people are morally. There are several reasons why it cannot be argued that humans are inherently good. One reason is that oxytocin, a hormone found in the bloodstream, makes us feel empathy, and is found in 95% of people tested when they receive a positive social signal. If it is only found in 95% of the people they tested, …show more content…
Humans share 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees and bonobos. Chimps are more violent while bonobos don’t fight as much as they enjoy other activities like sex. It makes one wonder whether or not humans are chimpanzees or bonobos. “...it’s easy to see the similarities between an organized chimp ambush and our own guerilla warfare practices,” (Grant 3). While that is true, one has to also look at other aspects of human history. Ancient human ancestors followed both philosophies of love and war. Ancient Greece and Rome was famous for both its orgies and wars. Throughout history humanity has been maniacs about both love and war, fighting and sex. To argue humans are more like chimpanzees because of their guerilla warfare practices must mean they are also like bonobos because of their sexual prowess. Although it’s not a fair comparison. Humans as a species are more advanced and evolved than any other species on the planet. There is a government to regulate things such as our fighting and intercourse. Humans may share their DNA with the chimpanzees and bonobos, but our social structures are completely different. Humans have a more civilized way of dealing with things other than just fighting. There are debates, discussions, persuasive essays, and simply talking things out. Chimpanzees aren’t evolved enough to do things such as debate or discuss a topic of disagreement. So, to say people are like chimpanzees because of the shared DNA …show more content…
Many cultures disagree with what the others are doing and say that it’s “evil”. Growing up in a society where women wear burkas may make the western civilizations seem evil for not making their women do that. On the other side many people in the western world see middle eastern men as cruel or evil for having their women wear that, when all it is. is a social, religious, and cultural difference. As was said before, the brain also has a lot to do with our development. Hormone levels in the brain can control whether or not someone has a mental illness. It cannot be said someone with schizophrenia is evil because they see and or hear things that “normal” people can’t. That person is not in control of their hormone levels, and should not be ostracized for that. If one was to take a hit to the head it could also damage the brain and alter their personality. “When injury or disease affects the brain’s functioning, life is inevitably changed, either physically or mentally. Sometimes the changes are subtle and even benign, as in the case of ‘gourmand syndrome.’ All too often they are not,” (Wade and Tavris 107). So not all people can be born evil, they could have some brain trauma that can distort how one thinks or
Are humans inherently good or evil? Some people would say that humans are naturally good and compassionate, and have to try to be evil. Others argue that humans are evil, and to be good we have to overcome the evilness that naturally resides in us. In reality, mankind is neither inherently good nor evil. It is our brain development, upbringing, culture, and environment that determines where people are morally. There are several reasons why it cannot be argued that humans are inherently good. One reason is that oxytocin, a hormone found in the bloodstream, makes us feel empathy, and is found in 95% of people tested when they receive a positive social signal. If it is only found in 95% of the people they tested, …show more content…
Humans share 99% of our DNA with chimpanzees and bonobos. Chimps are more violent while bonobos don’t fight as much as they enjoy other activities like sex. It makes one wonder whether or not humans are chimpanzees or bonobos. “...it’s easy to see the similarities between an organized chimp ambush and our own guerilla warfare practices,” (Grant 3). While that is true, one has to also look at other aspects of human history. Ancient human ancestors followed both philosophies of love and war. Ancient Greece and Rome was famous for both its orgies and wars. Throughout history humanity has been maniacs about both love and war, fighting and sex. To argue humans are more like chimpanzees because of their guerilla warfare practices must mean they are also like bonobos because of their sexual prowess. Although it’s not a fair comparison. Humans as a species are more advanced and evolved than any other species on the planet. There is a government to regulate things such as our fighting and intercourse. Humans may share their DNA with the chimpanzees and bonobos, but our social structures are completely different. Humans have a more civilized way of dealing with things other than just fighting. There are debates, discussions, persuasive essays, and simply talking things out. Chimpanzees aren’t evolved enough to do things such as debate or discuss a topic of disagreement. So, to say people are like chimpanzees because of the shared DNA …show more content…
Many cultures disagree with what the others are doing and say that it’s “evil”. Growing up in a society where women wear burkas may make the western civilizations seem evil for not making their women do that. On the other side many people in the western world see middle eastern men as cruel or evil for having their women wear that, when all it is. is a social, religious, and cultural difference. As was said before, the brain also has a lot to do with our development. Hormone levels in the brain can control whether or not someone has a mental illness. It cannot be said someone with schizophrenia is evil because they see and or hear things that “normal” people can’t. That person is not in control of their hormone levels, and should not be ostracized for that. If one was to take a hit to the head it could also damage the brain and alter their personality. “When injury or disease affects the brain’s functioning, life is inevitably changed, either physically or mentally. Sometimes the changes are subtle and even benign, as in the case of ‘gourmand syndrome.’ All too often they are not,” (Wade and Tavris 107). So not all people can be born evil, they could have some brain trauma that can distort how one thinks or