❓ PLP Inquires❓

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I don't know. I've spent times on both sides, well all three really (people are inherently good, people are inherently bad, people aren't inherently either), but I do know that the moment I started believing people are doing the best they can with the tools they have, I started feeling better.
 
I started believing, as a child, we were all basically good, then I swung hard the other way when things hit me as a teen, but as an adult I'm becoming gradually less cynical over time.

Really???

01.11.20

Are humans ultimately and inherently good or bad, in general?
Has your opinion changed in your life?

I think people are inherently good and (most) religion fucks them up. Parents do a good job of screwing them up, too. But when given the choice, and when no one is looking, most people are good. The pieces of trash get all the attention, though.
 
01.11.20

Are humans ultimately and inherently good or bad, in general?
Has your opinion changed in your life?

I think folks are inherently neutral. The various forces of life push them to either the good or the bad. We're a blank slate when we're born. (In the old nature/nurture argument I also come down to nurture or not-nurture.)
 
01.11.20

Are humans ultimately and inherently good or bad, in general?
Has your opinion changed in your life?

I may answer this question differently depending on when I am asked, but it is not really my opinion changing as much as how I perceive my opinion. I believe humans are social creatures by nature, we want our tribe to succeed just as we want ourselves to succeed. Even young happy infants display a desire to help. We aren't inherently neutral. However there are some caveats as we also have a sense of self preservation as any animal. Thus most will operate in a way that when they have everything they need they will help as long as it isn't a significant detriment to ourselves. Thus if 0 was ultimate evil, 50 was neutral, 100 was ethereal sainthood, I'd put humans about a 65. Sometimes my perspective might lean to it is closer to good than evil, others I might lean to it is closer to neutral than good. Where things get more complex is that same core value of "if I have what I need, I will help others, unless it is a significant detriment to myself" is displayed by most, whether they are perceived to fall into the umbrella of conventional immorality or morality, it is just differences in the definition of "need" and "significant detriment". Two women shoplifting from Walmart. Shoplifting is immoral. One is shoplifting food and formula. The other a stereo to pawn for drug money. Most will perceive the first as less immoral because it falls into our definition off needs, but both women will insist the need the items they were stealing for. I have found the most unstintingly generous people to be homeless people. They will give you the shirt off their back if you compliment it and constantly offer to share their food. They aren't more "good" than others though, they just have the lowest definition of "need". Flip side, how many cars drive pass a straggly stray before one stops? Those who passed by all have reasons. Don't have time, what if it bites me, what if I get hit by a car. Ask the person who stopped, eh I can make time, so what if it bites me it is just a little pain and a couple of shots, and I will just avoid getting hit by a car. Are firefighters more morally opposed to people burning to death than everyone else, or do they just have a different calculation for risk of significant detriment than others.

We have seen a whole lot of things the past year that could alter many individuals opinion on whether people are "good" or "evil". However, it is all the same at the core. People pursuing what they think they need, people pursuing what they think is best for the tribe, people trying to avoid what they think has a risk of being significantly detrimental. Even if I think I am surrounded by asshats because of my perception, which does change, if I drop my perception and adopt theirs briefly, what they think is needed, what they think is detrimental to themselves and others, they are still operating on the same moral code, just with what I view as highly questionable logic. Thus, no matter where I am, how my perception has changed, what my environment is like, is still come back to about 65 on the bad/good scale. Of course, some people really are just sadistic psychopaths, but it isn't the norm.
 
Orgasms.

Feels so good it should be illegal.

Come on...someone had to say it. :rolleyes:
 
The Trader Joe’s refund policy. And the Trader Joe’s ‘try it!’ policy (pre-covid)
 
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