Are People Born Good, Bad Or Neutral?
By M Cheung
@Beestring (14675)
Hong Kong
November 7, 2022 4:03am CST
For thousands of years, philosophers, Chinese and Western, have debated whether we have a basically good nature that is corrupted by society, or a basically bad nature that is kept in check by society.
I tend to believe the theory that people are not born with one quality or the other. Instead, human nature is a mixture of good (such as kind, sympathetic) and bad (such as greedy, selfish) "sprouts". Being good or bad is the result of cultivation after one’s birth. Babies are born neutral with some instincts to survive. Cry when needed, laugh when seeing something amusing. They know nothing of the world. They are blank slates, prepared to be dyed by life events around them. It is their education, environment and experiences in life that shape them.
What are your thoughts? Are people born good, bad or neutral?
8 people like this
9 responses
@MrDenata (12262)
• Indonesia
7 Nov 22
Idk, i'm good at being good and bad, M. But maybe @DaddyEvil have the answer because hes too great being an evil 
3 people like this
@Beestring (14675)
• Hong Kong
7 Nov 22
@DaddyEvil Never mind what @MrDenata said. I know you are a nice guy. You are willing to share your smoked turkey with me.
2 people like this
@LadyDuck (472004)
• Switzerland
7 Nov 22
@Beestring - I have seen very young children really bad and they were in nice families. The bad exists.
2 people like this
@Beestring (14675)
• Hong Kong
7 Nov 22
I see. There's such a possibility. But It also depends on at what age they become bad. May be they are spoiled and have made some bad friends.
2 people like this
@Beestring (14675)
• Hong Kong
7 Nov 22
@LadyDuck I agree we cannot rule out this possibility.
2 people like this
@ShyBear88 (59347)
• Sterling, Virginia
7 Nov 22
Everyone is born the same way an empty board nothing good or bad. Things that happen in your life can affect which direction but also so does brain development lots of factors that go into. Some is by nature it’s just in you and others are things you’ve learned.
3 people like this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
7 Nov 22
@Beestring
You have some very good posts. That is a very interesting post. I believe we are all just born and whoever we believe in shapes who we become. For example: I believe my G-d has tested my faith all the time and i really did not start to change my beliefs before I came to live in Israel. I grew up one way in the
States and when I came to Israel I started on a journey to become a better Jew than I was before. There are some that have hung out with the wrong people and became bad people and then there were those that tried to be better in life and did not have such a good life but did not become bad and just suffered. I am still trying to figure out where I fit in and have not figured that out yet. I do know that this is where I need to figure in order to figure it out.
2 people like this
@Hannihar (130213)
• Israel
7 Nov 22
@Beestring
You are welcome. I believe in my G-d and know He is in charge.
1 person likes this
@Beestring (14675)
• Hong Kong
7 Nov 22
Thank you. I always believe in "We try our best, and let God do the rest". We are not in control of everything.
2 people like this
@dgobucks226 (35716)
•
11 Nov 22
I think you stated it perfectly. I totally agree with your reasons. Parents are a big part of that social environment which shapes a child's attitude and behavior. Much research has gone into studying why some people develop into killers and exhibit violent tendencies. It seems many of them have been victims of violence and abuse by their father or in some cases their mother or even both parents.
1 person likes this
@cabuyogty (3053)
• Philippines
8 Nov 22
I hope a lot of people were born good because you can rely on them if you need support 
1 person likes this
@popciclecold (39461)
• United States
7 Nov 22
I think growing up and surroundings have a lot to do with it.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137553)
• India
8 Nov 22
Many a time external factors and circumstances influence their behaviour
1 person likes this
@RebeccasFarm (90294)
• Arvada, Colorado
8 Nov 22
Despite most people not agreeing with me, I do believe some people are just born bad.
1 person likes this
