If you believe that people are basically good ?

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Tuesday, December 31, 2002 | Dennis Prager

[supercat]

People are inherently evil.

I'd say selfish, rather than evil. And I would regard such selfishness as being no more evil than fire. To be sure, it can--if left nchecked--be grossly destructive and may be used for evil ends. On the other hand, as the primary motive force behind human behavior, it is also an essential requirement for doing good.

[Pagey]

Later Bump

[Phaedrus]

My point is that people are inherently good. They are also ignorant, short-sighted, boorish, sometimes mean. But they are inherently good -- because people are inherently good does not mean that we should tolerate evil. People are also complex. My 2 cents ...

[onedoug]

"...people are inherently good."

Goodness is gained. It is not the same as "nice".

[Phaedrus]

I don't mean "nice". There is a whole, long philosophical aspect to all of this but without too much "he said, she said", I believe we are all fundamentally graced, that we each have within us a spark of divinity, no matter how evil our actions, that Man's basic intent is good, no matter how twisted his actions. I believe that when someone acts against this basic orientation, it takes effort, sometimes great effort. And I base this upon my personal experience. Those in my family, my neighborhood, those with whom I interact, are fundamentally good people and the exceptions are rare. And this is now most definitely more than 2 cents worth ... ;-}

[dalebert]

Thanks for the ping

[Mamzelle]

The conservative vision is the tragic vision. We do not believe in the perfectability of human nature. Rather, we believe in freedom and the rule of law to bring about the best possible results , given our state of original sin.

[lodwick]

People are born as they were pre-destined to be born, live, and die. Some good, some evil.

[onedoug]

God is good, to which we hopefully aspire in His image. Though good is attainable only. The soul accountable for its debits and credits.

And I base this upon my personal experience.

You're not the only person to ever have lived.

Those of your family, neighborhood, interactions.... Empower them over others to the point where the consequences of their actions seem absent, as was often so for American troops in the field in Vietnam.

You'd find out soon enough who was good, and who wasn't.

[ImpBill]

EXCELLENT FIND!

[BigBobber]

Liberals believe that most men are evil and the masses must be guided by an enlightened cadre of "good" people. The self-appointed rightous few feel justified in imposing stricts laws and punishments to ensure that people do the right thing.

Conservatives believe that most men are good, and will do the right thing in most cases (especially in regards to their own families and neigbors). A nanny state is not needed to control the masses because most men realize it is in their own interest to behave in a civilized fashion. However, conservatives realize a small number of evil men will always be with us, and form limited government to provide a common defense against such men.

Those of you who think greed is evil will be philosophically ill-equipted to counter those truely evil men who want to steal the fruits of your labor. All they have to do to disarm you is make you feel guilty for wanting what is yours.

[BigBobber]

Very eloquent. Thank you. If God made us in his own image, how could the result be primarily evil?

[PGalt]

Each individual must be judged by their words and deeds.

[rwfromkansas]

A Rousseau-like view of the world is stupid and misinformed.

Hopefully, Americans will stop being so optimistic and take the realistic route of Hobbes and Augustine. Otherwise, we will eventually be destroyed.

[rwfromkansas]

Indeed. That is why I am an Augustinian/Calvinist.

[rwfromkansas]

You a Libertarian?

[rwfromkansas]

Mankind is inherently evil.

[right way right]

Men Good! Women Bad!

Ge:3:9: And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Ge:3:10: And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.

Ge:3:11: And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?

Ge:3:12: And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.

(this thread needed to be lightened up a bit.

[rwfromkansas]

Interesting, but Christ took it further. We don't love others WHEN LOOKING AT THE FACT THAT WE WANT TO BE LOVED AND TREATED LIKE THAT. As believers, we love others and treat them good BECAUSE WE ARE CALLED TO.

[rwfromkansas]

I thinnk he is Libertarian and Libertarians have more in common with liberals on the nature of man than conservatives.