God's Word tells us: "And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only EVIL continually." (Gen.6:5)
Of course, man doesn't see himself that way; subsequently, the answer is: "Man by nature is EVIL, but he likes to THINK he's GOOD."
There is no definitive answer to whether man is by nature good or evil, as it varies depending on perspective and beliefs. Some philosophers argue that humans are inherently good, while others believe in the inherent evil of human nature. Ultimately, human behavior is shaped by a combination of genetic, environmental, and societal factors.
Some Christians say that we are inherently evil and that only their God can make us do good things. Others say that we are not so much evil but weak and that their devil causes us to do evil and that we need help from God to defeat the devil. No matter how Christian advocates look at our nature, it always seems to lead back to the need to worship their God or face the consequences. This leaves no room for conscience or free will, in the true sense of the words.
My view is that people are not inherently evil. In our secular education, we learn that we all have a conscience that is programmed into us from early childhood. Our sense of ethics and our moral behaviour are the result of our conscience, which, in most people, acts to inhibit wrongdoing and encourage social cooperation.
On the other hand, there is no evidence that people who see themselves as Christians conduct themselves more ethically than those who do not. Thus there is no evidence that God helps his followers to do good rather than evil. The proportion of people in our jails who see themselves as Christian is very similar to the proportion in the population as a whole.
Humankind cannot be classified as good or evil. That question has been debated among philosophers and theologians for thousands of years. However, how a person develops is primarily based on cultural influences.
Although there are many people who believe that good behavior comes from religious training, there are primitive societies that still exist who do not know anything about God and who have extremely good moral values within their cultures. There are millions who know about God and still do not believe that a supernatural father has controlled the destiny of humankind since the beginning of time . . . and who are extremely good and moral people.
For an interesting study of infants who have not yet been culturally influenced see the following link.
http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130114-are-we-naturally-good-or-bad
Steven Weinberg, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, made this statement in his book "Facing Up: Science and Its Cultural Adversaries." Weinberg was highlighting the potential negative impact of religious beliefs on individuals' behavior.
The debate on whether human nature is inherently good or evil remains ongoing. Some argue that humans possess both good and evil tendencies, influenced by various factors such as upbringing and environment. Ultimately, it is a complex and nuanced topic with no definitive answer.
It depends on the context. A single act of evil does not necessarily define a person as evil overall. Honorable individuals may make mistakes or act out of character at times. It's important to consider the person's overall behavior and intentions before passing judgment.
Man is a conscious being with the ability to think and create, while nature refers to the physical world and everything in it that is not created by humans. Man has the capacity to impact and shape nature through interaction and influence.
The duality of man refers to the idea that humans have both good and evil sides to their nature. It reflects the internal struggle between conflicting impulses, values, and behaviors within individuals. This concept has been explored in literature, psychology, and philosophy to understand the complexity of human behavior.
The concept of good and evil is subjective and varies among different cultures and individuals. Some argue that humans have an inherent sense of morality, while others believe that good and evil are learned behaviors influenced by society and environment. Ultimately, the presence of good and evil in human nature is a complex topic with no definitive answer.
In some myths, man was a combination of the evil flesh of titans and the good heart of Dyonyousous
Man is composed of both good and evil, parts that can be physically separated.
Han Fei (or Han Feizi) is the Chinese philosopher who taught that the nature of man is evil.
No because it is man that has defined evil. In nature there is no such thing as good or bad - the shark kills the seal because it is hungry, not because it is evil. Evil is a label man has created to fit something that does not correspond to accepted societal dictates.
because given the opportunity to do whatever they wanted to other people, most chose evil over good.
Slender Man is typically depicted as an evil entity in folklore and popular culture. Descriptions often portray him as a sinister figure who preys on children and instills fear.
Xun Zi
Good and evil are human concepts. Animals simply are.
Hanfeizi
Steven Weinberg, a Nobel Prize-winning physicist, made this statement in his book "Facing Up: Science and Its Cultural Adversaries." Weinberg was highlighting the potential negative impact of religious beliefs on individuals' behavior.
do puritans view man as inherently good evil or somewhere in between ?