When it comes to the discussions of human nature, a controversial issue has been whether it is in our human nature to be good or evil and if it can be shaped or not. On the one hand, Mencius argues that it is in our nature to be good and that it can be shaped. On the other hand, John Locke contends that human nature is neutral and we choose our path through harsh revolution. Others even argue that it is in our human nature to be evil, even when we mean to do good, that nature will never change. My own view on the issue is that human nature is inclined towards neither, we have the same potential to be either good or evil and our environment can influence that. Many people have this ideal that we are born with the human nature to be good and
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Being good or evil is something that develops over time just as our minds do. In the article, “Are Some Humans Born Evil?”, Olivia Goldhill claims, “Brian Masters, who has written biographies of several mass murderers, says that every human being has the capacity to commit wicked acts. The purpose of society is to curtail evil and without that influence … every human could commit terrible deeds”. Many people associate a newborn baby with being good because it symbolizes innocence to them. On the contrary, I think it symbolizes a new opportunity because to me a newborn baby is much like a white paper. Everyone has the potential to be either good or evil, it is one’s own decisions over time that develops one’s true …show more content…
In The Dependent Gene: The Fallacy of ‘Nature vs. Nurture’, David Moore claims,“Very often, when considering the influences of nature and nurture on a trait, we imagine that nurture does not begin until birth . . . we are tempted to count it as an aspect of nature….” (117-118). Moore explains how nurture can be an aspect of nature as well. I do agree that nurture can be apart of nature because in one way or another, nurture does affect nature. I grew up within a good environment, therefore, I had a great variety of example on what good nature was and consider my nature to be good. Although others like Baca and my little nephew do not have the same benefit but choose a different path instead. Being nurture can have an impact on one’s nature therefore it can be a part of
Being good or evil is something that develops over time just as our minds do. In the article, “Are Some Humans Born Evil?”, Olivia Goldhill claims, “Brian Masters, who has written biographies of several mass murderers, says that every human being has the capacity to commit wicked acts. The purpose of society is to curtail evil and without that influence … every human could commit terrible deeds”. Many people associate a newborn baby with being good because it symbolizes innocence to them. On the contrary, I think it symbolizes a new opportunity because to me a newborn baby is much like a white paper. Everyone has the potential to be either good or evil, it is one’s own decisions over time that develops one’s true …show more content…
In The Dependent Gene: The Fallacy of ‘Nature vs. Nurture’, David Moore claims,“Very often, when considering the influences of nature and nurture on a trait, we imagine that nurture does not begin until birth . . . we are tempted to count it as an aspect of nature….” (117-118). Moore explains how nurture can be an aspect of nature as well. I do agree that nurture can be apart of nature because in one way or another, nurture does affect nature. I grew up within a good environment, therefore, I had a great variety of example on what good nature was and consider my nature to be good. Although others like Baca and my little nephew do not have the same benefit but choose a different path instead. Being nurture can have an impact on one’s nature therefore it can be a part of