TED Conversations

Maris Zarins

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

Do you think people are natually good or evil?

Recently, I spent a lot of time looking at the John Locke vs. Thomas Hobbes debate and have been wondering what the people in the TED community think on this debate. Are people naturally good and fair? Or are people vile and cruel in their natural state?

+2
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    Eun A Jo 10+

    • +2
    TED Translator
    Apr 17 2012: Realistically speaking, humans only act on the basis of their self-interest. And this is neither good, nor bad. There is no such thing as an altruistic act, because every action we take is in connection with ourselves. But this is not to reflect negatively on human nature; it is merely that self-interest dominates, among various other factors. All human characters - such as empathy or hatred - are linked to this.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.