I wrestle with these questions too. And I’m glad you articulated what’s been on my mind this week. I don’t know if there is one answer— maybe it’s unique for every person. I do lean with where you landed. But, It’s still a mystery for me, one filed under unanswered questions. Thanks for sharing, Alex!
Thank you for your comment, Stella. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one stuck in my head about this. I have a feeling that people who see the issue only in black and white tend to demonize the other side. But if we recognize that we carry the demon within us (however dormant it may be), we’re more careful about pointing fingers and calling names. I’m agnostic, religiously, but the concept of original sin is starting to make more sense to me—especially as I get older.
I really appreciate you sharing this, Alex. I’m Catholic and still faithful to God, but I’ve come to see the idea of original sin as something deeper—maybe more like a way of understanding the tension we all carry between grace and harm.
Thank you for this interesting topic and I have thought about it from time to time in years past. I believe that there's a certain mystery about it. I want to believe though that none of us are born evil and that humans mess us up.
Thanks for your comment, Juliette. I tend think we're both when we're born and what we become often depends on our parents, upbrining, environment, etc. Who knows? It is a mystery, indeed.
Interesting post. It’s the age old nature vs. nurture debate. - It sounds like a cop out, but I do believe it’s a combination of both. Nothing exists in isolation. It’s yin & yang. We are complex creatures with a multitude of possibilities.
That was a great read and a good question. I like to believe that we all are born good, but that we are shaped by our experiences, social and cultural interactions. But I guess, it it more complicated than this. Because if we are all born good, how were we as humans were able to turn evil?
Yes, I agree. Some people believe that life is given to us in order to learn how to be good. There’s a something to it too. Not sure if I agree with that point of view. Watch a toddler comfort a crying buddy with compassion and a second later snatch away their toys with utmost cruelty😂. It seems to me we don’t learn empathy and aggression — we learn how to control them, which to nurture and which to restrain.
I'd like to believe we all begin with a blank slate. But, our biology still not greatly understood. Endorphins, genetics, schooling, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, mates, enemies, and so much more of the unknown which could possibly play a part in all of this. Nature vs nurture?
Thanks for commenting, Ken. I'm not sure about beginning with a blank slate. There have been a lot of studies done on identical twins raised apart who still show remarkable similarity in personality, intelligence, interests, and even quirks, which suggest a strong genetic component. Environment plays a huge part too, of course.
I don't think people are born evil. As a parent, I see how my kids' personalities haven't changed since they were young. I do believe that the environment and the challenges that one faces in life, can alter a person, for better or worse.
Sure, kids are definitely born with distinctive personalities, that’s well-documented. But behavioral tendencies are different from moral character. I don’t think the “blank slate” debate is just about personality. It’s really about whether traits like morality, empathy, and aggression are hardwired or learned, or perhaps hardwired and then shaped or amplified by the environment, for better or worse.
Are we born with self preservation ? Wailing for attention. Does the earliest experience set something in motion ? 🤔
I wrestle with these questions too. And I’m glad you articulated what’s been on my mind this week. I don’t know if there is one answer— maybe it’s unique for every person. I do lean with where you landed. But, It’s still a mystery for me, one filed under unanswered questions. Thanks for sharing, Alex!
Thank you for your comment, Stella. I’m glad to know I’m not the only one stuck in my head about this. I have a feeling that people who see the issue only in black and white tend to demonize the other side. But if we recognize that we carry the demon within us (however dormant it may be), we’re more careful about pointing fingers and calling names. I’m agnostic, religiously, but the concept of original sin is starting to make more sense to me—especially as I get older.
I really appreciate you sharing this, Alex. I’m Catholic and still faithful to God, but I’ve come to see the idea of original sin as something deeper—maybe more like a way of understanding the tension we all carry between grace and harm.
I like it, Stella! Good point.
Thank you for this interesting topic and I have thought about it from time to time in years past. I believe that there's a certain mystery about it. I want to believe though that none of us are born evil and that humans mess us up.
Thanks for your comment, Juliette. I tend think we're both when we're born and what we become often depends on our parents, upbrining, environment, etc. Who knows? It is a mystery, indeed.
Interesting post. It’s the age old nature vs. nurture debate. - It sounds like a cop out, but I do believe it’s a combination of both. Nothing exists in isolation. It’s yin & yang. We are complex creatures with a multitude of possibilities.
Indeed.
That was a great read and a good question. I like to believe that we all are born good, but that we are shaped by our experiences, social and cultural interactions. But I guess, it it more complicated than this. Because if we are all born good, how were we as humans were able to turn evil?
Thanks very much, Susanne!!!
Yes, I agree. Some people believe that life is given to us in order to learn how to be good. There’s a something to it too. Not sure if I agree with that point of view. Watch a toddler comfort a crying buddy with compassion and a second later snatch away their toys with utmost cruelty😂. It seems to me we don’t learn empathy and aggression — we learn how to control them, which to nurture and which to restrain.
I'd like to believe we all begin with a blank slate. But, our biology still not greatly understood. Endorphins, genetics, schooling, parents, siblings, aunts, uncles, mates, enemies, and so much more of the unknown which could possibly play a part in all of this. Nature vs nurture?
Thanks for commenting, Ken. I'm not sure about beginning with a blank slate. There have been a lot of studies done on identical twins raised apart who still show remarkable similarity in personality, intelligence, interests, and even quirks, which suggest a strong genetic component. Environment plays a huge part too, of course.
Very well written.
I don't think people are born evil. As a parent, I see how my kids' personalities haven't changed since they were young. I do believe that the environment and the challenges that one faces in life, can alter a person, for better or worse.
Thank you, and thanks for commenting, Don.
Sure, kids are definitely born with distinctive personalities, that’s well-documented. But behavioral tendencies are different from moral character. I don’t think the “blank slate” debate is just about personality. It’s really about whether traits like morality, empathy, and aggression are hardwired or learned, or perhaps hardwired and then shaped or amplified by the environment, for better or worse.