are humans naturally good or evil?

[AWdeV]

I don't think the Klingon would appreciate it though.

 

[Pharaoh Llandy]

Which would make my sacrifice all the sweeter.

 

[Legolan]

People tend to be self-sacrificing if it's with people who share their genes. True fact. People are far more likely to sacrifice themselves for direct relatives or people who look very similar than for people who look very dissimilar.

Natural, tribal/clan mentality, your kin.

 

[rejenorst]

People tend to be self-sacrificing if it's with people who share their genes. True fact. People are far more likely to sacrifice themselves for direct relatives or people who look very similar than for people who look very dissimilar.

True. Pity relatives are few, making the need to be self sacrificing for relative less constant than the need for self sacrifice for others.

 

[Cookie Eating Huskarl]

Because no ones wants to die and then look down and say, "Wait, I gave my life up for that lowlife?"

 

[Worbah]

People are neither good nor evil. They are delicious.

 

[rejenorst]

Because no ones wants to die and then look down and say, "Wait, I gave my life up for that lowlife?"

Could be. In any case no one gives a toss about anyone else most of the time.

 

[Der Einzige]

People tend to be self-sacrificing if it's with people who share their genes. True fact. People are far more likely to sacrifice themselves for direct relatives or people who look very similar than for people who look very dissimilar.

True. Pity relatives are few, making the need to be self sacrificing for relative less constant than the need for self sacrifice for others.

Define "self sacrifice."

One could be completely "altruistic" or cooperative and I'd argue that would be the very opposite from a "self sacrificing" action. I think most of you are getting hung up on meaningless emotional words (Eg: Good, Bad) or assuming all actions that are "selfish" could only harm others and benefit the actor. Small things like this are very faulty.

 

[rejenorst]

I mean self-sacrificing in any form be it material/egotistical/physical etc. I am applying a very generic definition so selfless is the better word or even unselfish, sorry.

 

[Der Einzige]

I'd say a lot of apparently "unselfish" actions are indeed rooted in "selfish" feelings.

Also, there's no need to say "sorry." Right, wrong, or indifferent they are your beliefs and nothing to apologize for.

 

[Microcosm]

Neither. We're neutral, and we develop either good or evil habits based off of our experiences and circumstances. Read anything by the author K.J. Parker, or read the Empathic Civilization by Jeremy Rifkin... may take a while...