Are People Inherently Bad?
My sister Eileen recently shared that she had been contemplating whether people are inherently bad and asked for my opinion. My immediate response was a quick “yes,” but then I reconsidered and said, “I think people learn to be bad.” She challenged me to explore the topic further, so here are my thoughts.
The question of whether people are inherently bad is one of the most profound and enduring debates in philosophy, theology, and psychology. Perspectives on this issue vary widely, reflecting the complexity of human nature.
Theological Perspective
In Christian theology, humans are not inherently bad but are born with a sinful nature due to the Fall of Adam and Eve. This concept, often referred to as “original sin,” suggests that while humans have a natural inclination toward sin, they also possess the potential for redemption through God’s grace. The Bible provides a dual perspective on human nature:
- Jeremiah 17:9 states, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it?”
- Yet, humanity is also described as being made “in the image of God” (Genesis 1:27), implying an innate capacity for goodness and virtue.
The Bible encourages transformation through God, as seen in Romans 12:21: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”
Philosophical Perspectives
Philosophers have long wrestled with this question, often taking opposing views:
- Thomas Hobbes (1588–1679), an influential English philosopher, argued that humans are naturally selfish and driven by self-interest. In his seminal work, Leviathan, he described life in a “state of nature” as “nasty, brutish, and short” without the order imposed by societal structures or government. Hobbes believed that strong authority is necessary to curb humanity’s inherent tendencies toward chaos and conflict.
- Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712–1778), a Swiss-born French philosopher, took the opposite stance. He argued that humans are inherently good but are corrupted by society and its institutions. For Rousseau, the ills of humanity arise not from natural instincts but from the artificial inequalities imposed by civilization.
Psychological Insights
Psychology offers a nuanced perspective, blending nature and nurture:
- Sigmund Freud posited that humans possess both constructive (life) and destructive (death) drives. Balancing these impulses is key to developing a healthy psyche.
- Modern research suggests that humans are born with both altruistic tendencies, such as helping others, and selfish instincts, such as prioritizing personal survival. Which tendencies dominate is often shaped by life experiences and environmental influences.
Cultural context also plays a significant role. What one culture deems “bad” may be viewed as acceptable or even virtuous in another. This variability highlights the complexity of defining morality and human behavior across societies.
Conclusion
People are undeniably complex, possessing the capacity for both good and evil. The extent to which someone acts one way or the other depends on numerous factors: choices, upbringing, spiritual condition, and societal influences. Rather than labeling humanity as inherently “bad,” it may be more accurate to say that people are inherently flawed yet capable of growth, love, and redemption.
Yes, I believe we were created very good and for good but the corruption of sin has meant that we are born sin-full, having been born in sin since the fall of Adam and therefore predisposed to “bend” towards the creaturely in order to get our core needs met (security, significance, worth). We are by default imprisoned and slaves to that sin of independence from God. God’s redemptive power released in the death and resurrection of Jesus gives us the opportunity to change direction (repent) and be free to pursue that for which we were intended: to walk with God in His light by His power, experiencing intimate oneness with Him and enjoying Him forever. This is the lifelong journey of growth for the Christian.
Matthew 19:14 reads “Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” More than an implication, this says that the innocence of children puts them outside of the concept of bad. We age, we mature,, we gain perceptions that may be good or bad. If only we could once again return to be as children, but we can’t. We are called to be adult: called to make responsible choices: how we do that reflects on us, as a society or as individuals. Am I bad? I once was, but by Jesus saving grace, I am no longer. Am I inherently bad? Inherently implies a quality or characteristic that is intrinsic and not dependent on external factors. I know that God wrote His love on my heart and that, now, makes me inherently good.