Are people born naturally evil?

[ImSoCool599]

Or is it our environment that influences whether or not we will be a bad person? I guess along with that, if you believe we are inherently born evil, does that mean that it is our environment that we grow up in that keeps us good and respectful as we become older?

[Morkonan]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Wraith:

No. We turn into this. A toddler is like a white canvas that gets painted on.

That's the Tabula Rasa of child-development theory.

It's not quite correct.

Yes, early childhood has a very great impact on future behavioral and cognitive development. But, there can also be issues with developmental or neonatal problems that influence behavior and development. There can be people who are born already behind the curve... it happens.

The best bet is to assume that the canvas is not always the same before a child's experiences get to paint on it.

[Li77lehorn]

I look at it like people are all just born with an ego, which is a veil between the Holy Spirit. And the ego will react and be influenced in all sorts of different ways to other egos.

[c Z p]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Good Night Owl:

Thinking that people are born evil...

Not the most healthy mindset to have.

ikr
I think it's Nietzsche, though. Had a similar discussion with a friend of mine who was claiming this and a lot more Nietzsche stuff. I agree with mostly nothing Nietzsche is about personally. My friend thinks I'm crazy ofc and that's why it's an unhealthy mindset as a whole.

[Mega Ultra Chicken]

A psychopath is born
A sociopath is made

[HypersleepyNaputunia]

no but we choose our life path beforehand to help learn lessons and expand our soul
if ndes are true that is

[bythelee]

yeah

[OoOoOoooOOoOoorgle]

Nah, babies are pure curious for the most part.

People become evil via abuse and/or toxicity from their parents, school, sociopolitical environment, etc.

Personality factors into this of course, but there is NO reputable research out there that has ever successfully narrowed down definitive "markers" - because there is always someone completely sane and nonviolent with the same traits.

[Grimmz]

no, i believe good and evil are learned behaviors.

you're neither when you're born, but you are capable of both.

baby is like a blank paper until someone paints on it aka teaches them things.

[mai72]

A few things.

1. Men tend to be more aggressive than women, and this plays out in men becoming serial killers, rapist, and mass shootings are done by men.

2. Men develop their frontal cortex much later in life. This leads to risky behavior.
3. What about mental illness? Or being in a violent home? With an abusive father.

With that said, being "evil" is a learned behavior. But, we do have "evil" people like Dahmer, Bundy and Adolf Hitler who still did very bad things although their environment wasn't bad, or negative.

[TwisterCat]

I do.

Evil is like a disease that lies dormant in the heart of every man. For some, it activates, and for others, it never does. Sometimes it even goes back to sleep, but it's always there.

The foundation of evil is your body, and you're born with it. Maybe it can spread to your soul too, if you believe in it ~ but I don't reckon it starts there.

[Adversary]

On one hand, behavior is in part genetic. On the other hand, one's environment can shape and perhaps override their nature. As nature and nurture are two sides of the same coin.

On the theological side meanwhile, man has an infinite potential for both good and evil. What with the whole guardian angel and personal demon allegory in regards to free will and one's conscience. All people have to do is decide which one they should listen to.

[Iron Knights]

Yes, I'd say there's a genetic trait to evil, deforms the brain (and development) into psychotic.
This is already proven. Go do your research in Psychology/Psychiatry about it.
The experts will explain it in more detail.

[Triple G]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Iron Knights:

Yes, I'd say there's a genetic trait to evil, deforms the brain (and development) into psychotic.
This is already proven. Go do your research in Psychology/Psychiatry about it.
The experts will explain it in more detail.

Okay, then what do the experts say about what is evil? I guess if they can´t objectively explain it - there can´t be an "evil gene".

We have to form the morals first, and define what evil is in the first place. It can never be genetic, while it´s of course possible that some people might differ genetically from the norm people wish it to be.

Just writing, because You say it´s already proven.

And i don´t think psychology in the western world works with being "evil".

[Rumpelcrutchskin]

People need to be taught how to function in society and interact with people. Without it they would be no better then monkeys. Lot of how they turn out eventually depends on the quality of that teaching.

[OoOoOoooOOoOoorgle]

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Triple G:

Ursprünglich geschrieben von Iron Knights:

Yes, I'd say there's a genetic trait to evil, deforms the brain (and development) into psychotic.
This is already proven. Go do your research in Psychology/Psychiatry about it.
The experts will explain it in more detail.

Okay, then what do the experts say about what is evil? I guess if they can´t objectively explain it - there can´t be an "evil gene".

We have to form the morals first, and define what evil is in the first place. It can never be genetic, while it´s of course possible that some people might differ genetically from the norm people wish it to be.

Just writing, because You say it´s already proven.

And i don´t think psychology in the western world works with being "evil".

Some human beings will never stop looking for quack eugenics that gives them an excuse to hate/kill everyone different from themselves.


Hmm


Reckon that qualifies as "evil?"