Actually, I started to think that human nature is fundamentally evil from a few days ago because of a personal affair.
There are two theories that human nature is fundamentally good or evil.
It seems that there are only differences between two theories.
Let me just call those two theories as Good theory and Evil theory.
Good theory refers to that human nature is fundamentally good. People become evil by experiencing bad things through life.
On the contrary, Evil theory says that human nature is fundamentally evil. This theory explains that good characteristic of human is gained by learning.
However, both theories try to figure out what really human nature is, and try to explain about human behaviors.
Also, those two theories eventually approach to how human can be apart from evil so that world keeps peaceful.
I will add some historical background of each theory and put some examples explaining some specific human behaviors according to each theory.
It looks interesting for the expectation from historical background and examples which you will add for specifying!
답글삭제Wow the historical background could be really humongous. Is there specific history for good and evil theory?
답글삭제hmm... this sounds very interesting! It reminds me of the history of philosophy. Especially Hsun-tzu(순자)&Rousseau and Mencius(맹자)&Hobbes :)
답글삭제Besides, there is a common thing between the two theories: they both state that people are "learned" so that they do things against their natural mind.
To Eric. Yes, the age of War in China, which continued from B.C. 9 to B.C. 3, is the historical background of those two theories. The two philosophers, Hsun-tzu and Mencius, came up with the ideas about human nature to make people right. China was so chaotic at that time.
답글삭제To Ellie. Exactly! You got the point. By the way, is there a course which teaches history of philosophy in KAIST?
I think you've done a nice job of exploring your topic on your blog. In addition, you've tackled a difficult subject - very abstract. Overall, it shows a lot of growth as a student and a writer. I'm looking forward to seeing your close analysis of the external sources you find for your next essay.
답글삭제@keerasmith thank you! I am really happy for your compliment! I will try hard for the next essay.
답글삭제I am really curious as to how you treated the topic, considering that we had some intense discussion on it!
답글삭제@Hubris I concluded the essay that we cannot judge human nature in a dichotomous way, good or evil. I put an example of Hitler. He made a animal protection law, even though he did much more terrible things. I pointed that human can both good and evil characteristic by being influenced by education and experience.
답글삭제In conclusion, I put more weight on the similarity of the two theories about human nature that whatever human nature is, it can be changed by education.