Is Human Nature Good, Evil, or Amoral?

#Society

The riddle of human nature

Updated: 2024.12.23

3 min read · Intermediate

Is Human Nature Good, Evil, or Amoral?

인간의 본성은 선한가, 악한가, 정해져 있지 않은가?

Articles

Are we born good or evil? (naughty or nice)

Videos

Human Nature is Evil | The Philosophy of Xunzi on Human Nature Are People Born Good Or Bad? | Kati Morton

Discussion Questions

In your own words, please briefly summarize the article.

여러분의 언어로 교재를 간단히 요약해 주세요.

What part of the reading resonated with you most?

이번 교재에서 가장 공감하는 내용은 무엇인가요?

Which perspective do you agree with most: that humans are born good, evil, or amoral? Why?

성선설, 성악설, 성무선악설 중 어느 쪽에 가장 동의하시나요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요?

How do you interpret the results of the infant experiment with the puppets? Do you think it definitively proves humans are born good?

인형을 이용한 유아 실험의 결과를 어떻게 해석하시나요? 이 실험이 인간이 선하게 태어났다는 것을 결정적으로 증명한다고 생각하세요?

Between Hobbes and Rousseau, whose ideas do you agree with more, and why?

홉스와 루소 중 누구의 사상에 더 동의하며, 그 이유는 무엇인가요?

Do you think the case of feral children supports the idea that humans are naturally evil or simply amoral? Why?

야생아들의 사례가 인간이 선천적으로 악하거나 단순히 정해져있지 않다는 생각을 뒷받침한다고 생각하세요? 그 이유는 무엇인가요?

In your opinion, how important is education and community in shaping a person’s moral beliefs?

개인의 도덕적 신념을 형성하는 데 교육과 공동체가 얼마나 중요하다고 생각하세요?

If you have a question or questions that you'd like to discuss during your class, please write them down.

궁금한 점이 있거나 수업 중에 얘기해 보고 싶은 질문이 있으면 적어주세요.

Expressions

greed

an intense and selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food

Example

His greed for power ultimately led to his downfall.

Example

The company’s greed resulted in cutting corners to maximize profits.

infant

a very young child or baby, especially one under the age of one year

Example

The infant cried throughout the night, keeping the parents awake.

Example

Proper nutrition is crucial for the healthy development of an infant.

innate

existing naturally or from birth, rather than being learned

Example

She has an innate talent for music, which is evident in her performances.

Example

The ability to learn language seems to be an innate human trait.

brutish

savage, cruel, or lacking in human sensibility

Example

The brutish treatment of prisoners shocked the international community.

Example

His brutish behavior made it difficult for others to trust him.

amoral

lacking a sense of right and wrong; not concerned with morality

Example

The character in the novel is portrayed as amoral, driven only by self-interest.

Example

The company’s amoral decision-making process prioritized profits over ethics.

*This material is designed for the exclusive use of Ringle students on the Ringle platform.

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