Philosophers have debated the question of whether humans are inherently evil for centuries, with many contradicting viewpoints. Philosophically, Jean-Jacques Rousseau argued that humans are naturally good but corrupted by society. Whereas Thomas Hobbes believed that without societal structures, life would be “nasty, brutish, and short,”. It implies that humans are fundamentally selfish. This debate explores the balance between innate nature and external influence in shaping human morality. Whether humans are inherently evil.
The Argument Against Innate Evil
If humans were naturally cruel, we would expect to see young children displaying sadistic behavior before societal norms take effect. However, research in developmental psychology suggests otherwise. Studies by Paul Bloom and others indicate that even infants as young as a few months old prefer helpful behavior over harmful actions in simple experiments. This suggests that empathy and moral intuition may be intrinsic to human nature.
Children can exhibit selfishness or aggression, these behaviors are typically survival mechanisms—such as protecting a toy. They are probably not indications of pure cruelty. Extreme cruelty often arises due to environmental factors such as trauma, psychological disorders, or social conditioning rather than being an inherent trait in all people. Additionally, psychopathy—a condition associated with a lack of empathy—only affects about 1% of the population. It further reinforces the idea that deliberate harm to others is not the norm.
Kindness as an Innate Emotion
Just as humans naturally experience emotions like anger, sorrow, and fear, kindness may also be an intrinsic trait. Personal experiences often support this idea. Many individuals, as children, feel discomfort or distress when witnessing harm, even without being explicitly taught that such acts are wrong. For example, a child witnessing an animal being harmed might feel instinctive sadness or horror. This suggests an inborn sense of compassion. This innate empathy challenges the notion that cruelty is natural.
The Role of Society and Culture
While certain moral instincts appear to be ingrained, society plays a crucial role in shaping an individual’s values and behaviors. Cultural norms, education, and exposure to different perspectives influence a person’s beliefs and prejudices. A striking example is the transformation of personal values over time.
For instance, someone raised in a conservative environment might initially hold traditionalist views on gender roles or LGBTQ+ rights. However, exposure to new perspectives and self-reflection can lead to a shift toward greater empathy and inclusivity. This illustrates how societal influence can mold moral viewpoints and highlights the power of critical thinking in re-evaluating beliefs.
Hatred or prejudice is not something humans are born with but rather something acquired through societal influence. However, personal choice also plays a role. People must be willing to question their own beliefs and challenge the biases they learnt. Some resist change due to discomfort, but those open to growth can unlearn harmful ideologies.
Fear of the Unfamiliar and the Need for Education
Despite an innate capacity for empathy, humans are often wary of those who appear different. For example, children may feel fear when encountering someone with severe burn scars, not due to cruelty but because their brains instinctively associate unfamiliar appearances with potential danger. This evolutionary defense mechanism once served as a survival tool, alerting humans to possible threats. However, in modern society, it can manifest as prejudice or exclusion.
Education plays a vital role in overcoming these biases. Children raised in diverse environments, exposed to various races, cultures, genders, and abilities, are less likely to develop fear or prejudice toward those who are different. This is similar to language acquisition—just as learning multiple languages early in life is easier, exposure to diversity fosters a natural acceptance of differences.
The solution lies in nurturing empathy from an early age. Teaching children about different cultures, identities, and historical perspectives—while actively discouraging harmful stereotypes—can create a more inclusive society. If children grow up seeing diversity as normal, prejudices such as racism, homophobia, and ableism would be significantly less common.
The Impact of the Internet and Media
While we made progress towards creating a more equal and empathetic society, the internet has introduced new challenges. On one hand, digital platforms have provided access to diverse perspectives and fostered social movements promoting equality. On the other, algorithms often create echo chambers, reinforcing extreme ideologies and making it easier for misinformation and prejudice to spread.
Teenagers, in particular, are vulnerable to online radicalization. A single exposure to biased or hateful content can lead to a downward spiral, as algorithms continue pushing similar material, reinforcing divisive beliefs. This highlights the importance of teaching critical thinking skills—helping young people recognize manipulation, question sources, and resist propaganda.
Rather than simply telling children that “hate is bad,” we should equip them with the knowledge to understand why harmful ideologies exist and how they impact society. If they are taught about the falsehoods of race science, the historical effects of colonialism, and the mechanisms behind online misinformation, they will be far less susceptible to manipulation.
The Future of Human Morality
Despite ongoing struggles, humanity has made undeniable progress toward equality and reducing violence. Feminism, anti-racism efforts, LGBTQ+ rights movements, and human rights advocacy have all contributed to a more just world. However, true change requires not only external activism but also internal reflection and a commitment to fostering empathy in everyday interactions.
The key to a more ethical society is integrating empathy and critical thinking into education. We should treat them as fundamental as mathematics or science. If future generations are raised to view all humans as equals, understand historical injustices, and critically assess information, they will be less likely to fall into hateful ideologies.
In conclusion, while humans possess both selfish and altruistic tendencies, the evidence leans toward the idea that empathy and kindness are natural. Society, however, shapes how these instincts manifest. Education, exposure to diversity, and personal reflection are crucial in fostering a world where empathy triumphs over prejudice. The question of whether humans are inherently evil may not have a definitive answer, but what is clear is that through conscious effort, humanity can nurture the best aspects of its nature.
Sources:
https://journals.rcmss.com/index.php/jggsda/article/download/286/259
https://jacobsfoundation.org/even-babies-distinguish-good-evil