Yesterday, I was reminded of an age-old debate: the nature of man. A cliché and easy-to-assign question, the argument of whether humankind is inherently good or evil is much like any other traditional prompt. One of the main characteristics of debates like this, in my opinion, is that the argument can ultimately support more angles than a kaleidoscope.
You have more loopholes than a spaghetti strainer!"
-Connie Kendall
On one hand, Christians will argue that people are basically evil. In Psalm 51:5, David says, "Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me." (NIV)
But, in the realm of academia, religious texts aren't always taken as reputable proof. So, instead, one could also argue the initial wickedness of humanity (without religious perspective) dependent on his/her interpretation of what's good or bad.
If "good" equates to intentionally going above and beyond, and if one can't be a good person without being Mother Teresa, then everyone must be naturally evil. (Mainly because people won't generally do anything they don't have to.) If we have to be taught to be good, and if a lack of teaching-- or a rise of poor influence -- can graduate from apathy to inhumanity, then all mankind must've started with a seed of iniquity.
So you're feeling pretty good about your double-sided argument.
But, in the realm of academia, religious texts aren't always taken as reputable proof. So, instead, one could also argue the initial wickedness of humanity (without religious perspective) dependent on his/her interpretation of what's good or bad.
If "good" equates to intentionally going above and beyond, and if one can't be a good person without being Mother Teresa, then everyone must be naturally evil. (Mainly because people won't generally do anything they don't have to.) If we have to be taught to be good, and if a lack of teaching-- or a rise of poor influence -- can graduate from apathy to inhumanity, then all mankind must've started with a seed of iniquity.
So you're feeling pretty good about your double-sided argument.
BUT THEN...
The other side of the coin is the idea that men are inherently good. Even this perspective could be argued rationally, barring any moral disagreements. Secular psychologists will likely side with the idea that people are born with a clean slate, and that unfortunate behaviors occur as a result of unfair life experience. After all, why would anyone commit a crime without something to avenge?
My point? People can and will argue about anything, and everything, anytime. Don't believe me? Go on over here to see Schmoyoho's hilariously songified version of some of America's finest arguing over legalized pot & crayfish. Good stuff.
The other side of the coin is the idea that men are inherently good. Even this perspective could be argued rationally, barring any moral disagreements. Secular psychologists will likely side with the idea that people are born with a clean slate, and that unfortunate behaviors occur as a result of unfair life experience. After all, why would anyone commit a crime without something to avenge?
My point? People can and will argue about anything, and everything, anytime. Don't believe me? Go on over here to see Schmoyoho's hilariously songified version of some of America's finest arguing over legalized pot & crayfish. Good stuff.
In fact, some are probably arguing about my stance on arguments. It's a conundrum, and it's certainly counterproductive, but that's just the way it is.
That's the world around us. It's filled with conundrums and ironies and anomalies, and that's what makes it fun. Paradoxes are always there. Ultimately, we debate ideas and opinions in order to reach a compromised consensus. But when there are so many different loopholes and exceptions, it becomes overwhelming.
We won't ever have a perfectly harmonious society because humankind is naturally evil. So we might as well collect a few more GIFs and make the most of it.
We won't ever have a perfectly harmonious society because humankind is naturally evil. So we might as well collect a few more GIFs and make the most of it.