Humans | Good or Bad
Websites:
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130114-are-we-naturally-good-or-bad
https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/happy-facts-for-sadness_us_5788d366e4b03fc3ee505b37
https://www.theodysseyonline.com/are-we-born-good
Videos
https://www.ted.com/talks/abigail_marsh_why_some_people_are_more_altruistic_than_others/up-next
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Are Humans Born Good or Evil?
In the article “Are Humans born Good or Evil?,” Szelinski (2017) explains the idea that person is good or bad. He starts by stating that we are not able to use scientific to explain this topic. The author discusses that human are born unprincipled, and lists some rules which people need to follow such as cultural, societal law. He also supports that humans are likely to be bad, if they drive without education. He concludes by writing that humans are not born good or evil, it just only influence by environment around them.
I generally agree with Szelinski that bad or good behavior of humans is natural in human genes. For example, I believe that environment is an extremely important factor which impacts behavior of humans. The author lists some principles which are found in public places, but did not see in culture. However, the studies mentioned is the article are vague and undocumented. Numerous author’s claim that culture is extremely important to direct behavior of humans; therefore; his opinion does not accurate at this point. For example, in some places, baring the breasts is seem as normal, while in some places it is forbidden. Some places allow male and female to mingle free in public spaces, others do not. In addition, the article is very one--sided when he believes that children are unprincipled until taught otherwise because many researches show that children are able to self study. Babies will reach for things they want or like, and they will tend to look longer at thing that surprise them. Ingenious experiments carried out at Yale University in the Us use these measures to look at babies minds. Their results suggest that even the youngest humans have a sense of right and wrong, and furthermore, an instinct to prefer good or evil. Finally, the article also contains exaggerated language to persuade the reader. For instance, he says that “we need to assimilate to the fact that stealing and hurting others are illegal” and living without education “we would still be living in caves”. In fact, somewhere around the world governments allow their citizens to hurt animals
Whether one believes Szelinski or not, people are born unprincipled. A good environment will be able to direct humans becoming good but it’s not means that humans are evil, if they are not educated.
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People Are Basically Bad
In the article “People Are Basically Bad,” Welshman (2013) explains the idea that person is naturally bad. He starts by stating that a majority of people believe that they behave in ethical ways. However, the author disagrees by arguing the following statements. The author discusses that the level of education and status is not relevant to the bad action of human. Lastly, he also mentions not everyone who are bad thing has mental problem. He concludes by reemphasizing the idea of human being basically bad uplifting through a few more examples of people cheating and murdering.
This is partially correct. I agree with Welshman that people are not always good at all the time. However, the author overlooks the level of education in term of knowledge to persuade that bad behavior of humans is natural. He does not see another aspect of education such as disciplined and moral. Numerous researchers claim that human are not born good or evil – they are born unprincipled; therefore, they need to be educated to do right. I also agree with author that poor people always do bad things. Nevertheless, this detail idea still is not vague and unclear – lacking valid support. The fact that poverty is mainly factor which impacts behavior of humans. From statistics on criminal events recorded show that poor people are more likely to be criminals than the rich. Clearly, environment is influences on human behavior, but it does not come from human genes. Finally, the article also contains exaggerated language to persuade the reader. For instance, he says that “these bad people must be mentally ill because if they were not crazy they would not do bad things”. In fact, people do things for different purposes. For example, some people do bad things to get money to save family members who have dangerous diseases. It does not means that they are always crazy and mentally illness.
Whether one believes Welshman or not, bad behavior of human comes quite naturally. I partly agree with his idea. However, it is difficult to accept many of the author points because the article is very biased, one-sided, and many of the points lack sufficient support. An article that is more objective and balanced in terms of nature and nurture behavior of human would be more effective.
