Chit Chat Philosophy

2 Are humans born inherently good?

1 I believe humans are neither good nor evil, they are simply a blank slate to be filled with the contextual realities of their upbringing.

2 Would it be accurate to say then, all villains in history are taught to be evil?

1 I don’t think that’s true. Many people who do evil believe they are doing good.

2 What is good?

1 Good is any action which is right and just in society.

2 And what can we say it is to be right?

1 I would say rightness can be defined as any activity which does not harm another.

2 Excellent. This does bring up a contradiction however. You have stated that some villains believe they are doing good, but in fact perpetuate evil. How can this be?

1 I am not sure that’s a contradiction. You see, their definition of good is merely skewed.

2 And they were taught this ill-conceived definition of good?

1 Well, in some cases yes. In other cases, they simply accumulated that worldview based on their experiences.

2 What about those who do evil for the sake of doing evil?

1 Some people are born evil.

2 What is evil?

1 I believe evil is knowingly causing harm to another.

2 This does seem to be at odds with your earlier statement that people are neither born good nor evil. 

1 I would revise that statement. Some people are born evil and some people are born neutral.

2 Let us revisit this concept of good. You said earlier that good must be learned?

1 Yes, that’s right.

2 But evil can be inherent?

1 Yes.

2 How can that be?

1 Now that you mention it, I think both must be learned. I believe there are two types of evil: those who are simply misguided, and those who are motivated by something other than morality. In the latter case – they have disregard for all of the laws of humanity.

2 It sounds like you are describing a motivational system which is separate from morality. Is this correct?

1 I suppose it is. Right and wrong are universal truths which can be understood across cultures. Whether we adhere to the tenants of morality is a product of our motivation coupled with our worldview.

2 Suppose someone is born with a motivation other than morality, yet they still practice rightness for the sake of it. Would this person be evil?

1 Well, when you put it that way I would say no. They would not be evil.

2 Earlier you said that to be born evil is to have a different motivation than morality. Does this statement still hold true?

1 No, it does not.

2 So what might our conclusion be?

1 I would conclude that at birth people are neither good nor evil. They have the capacity to understand and practice morality, but not everyone will be motivated by it.