Are Humans Born Evil ?

[anneasquith]

as above, or do we become evil ?

[RATTER15]

We are born with the potential to be Evil or good, it is our upbringing that will usually decide which way we go.

[China Doll]

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Science/Question1060032.html

[humbersloop]

both, but life experience and circumstance tips it

[AlwaysConfused]

I don't know, to be honest. People are so, so different. Having the same parents does not mean children face the same life situations, and everyone deals with situations differently. I like to see the good in everybody. I do not know anyone evil, although I know quite a few tw@ats!

[Clanad]

Depends on how you define 'evil'... fact is, place several babies... say about 10 to 15 months old... old enough to sit up and be fully aware of others. It won't take long before one or more becomes the dominant child and forces their will (in a baby fashion) on others. We've all seen them forcefully strike another child... I'm sure one can say they don't have any concept of the possible results of their actions, but the action, seen from an adult persepective, has a tint of evil, no?

Seems to me upbringing has to affect at this point and the action(s) are inherent...

[erin-x]

My friend told me the other day that she thought I was, "too evil to be a Buddhist".

It was a strange conversation....

[ummmm]

I still think it's personality.

[Old_Geezer]

Ah yes, but is that an 'evil' or a 'good' personality ?

[society]

Great question Anne!

It would be interesting to see the response of those members who frequent the religion section.

[bibblebub]

nature (i.e. genetics) gives the potential for all the aspects of one's character and intelligence

nurture (i.e. upbringing) determines how much of that potential one uses