re: Humans: Inherently Good or Inherently Evil?

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My guess is that most of you will argue that people are inherently evil.

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Civilization itself tends to argue against that. A lot of selfless cooperation was required to get us where we are today.

Now, are people inherently self-interested? Sure, but those who survived and thrived throughout the 10000+ generations also generally developed characteristics compatible with polite society, including acceptance, fondness for family/offspring and some admirable altruistic (or downright heroic at times) qualities.

Now, under stress, more will fold than rise to the occasion. And there is a decent percentage of just unredeemable c_unts. No reasonable person would deny that. But that isn't the norm and that isn't the default human experience.

Hell, enlightened self-interest is one of the great things about humanity.