Why Are People Evil?
To understand why people can be perceived as evil, we must explore a few fundamental questions:
What Are People?
Humans are evolved beings, no longer ruled solely by instinct but by the value systems they acquire from society. These values are usually learned first from parents, then from teachers, and later passed on to children. These learned values help humans go beyond their base instincts.
What Are Instinctive Animals?
Instinctive animals rely heavily on their basic instincts. Their lives revolve around two primary instincts: survival and reproduction.
- Survival instinct: This is the fundamental instinct we are born with. It drives everything we do—eat, breathe, and fight for survival.
- Reproductive instinct: This instinct develops later in life when our bodies reach maturity. It compels us to perpetuate the species.
Survival Instinct in Humans
Take, for example, two babies and one bottle of milk. They won’t share the bottle; each will try to take it from the other. The reason is hunger, a powerful feeling tied to the survival instinct. Hunger drives the body to demand food, and it’s one of the most visible manifestations of survival instincts. Later in life, this instinct is combated by our value system.
The Role of Values in Tempering Instincts
When people have a well-defined value system, it becomes easier to manage their instincts. For instance, two adults who are hungry but possess a balanced value system will share a single loaf of bread. They understand that by sharing, they both improve their chances of survival. This value system enables us to overwrite our subconscious instincts and develop secondary ones, which can sometimes be stronger than primary instincts.
Feelings and Instincts
Feelings evolve from both primary and secondary instincts. Those connected to primary instincts, like attraction and love (linked to reproduction), are often the strongest. However, the most powerful feeling developed from these instincts is selfishness.
Understanding Selfishness
Don’t be upset when I say this, but every person is selfish. I know that sounds negative, but bear with me. It took me weeks and several discussions to fully understand the concept. Selfishness is not inherently bad; it just means seeking pleasure or well-being for oneself.
What Does Selfishness Mean? Selfishness is anything that makes us feel good. Whether the pleasure comes from helping someone, listening to music we enjoy, or accumulating wealth, the common thread is “I feel good.” That feeling is selfishness.
When we hear the word “selfish,” it often brings negative connotations, but there are actually two types of selfishness:
- Negative selfishness: Harmful to society and driven by personal gain at the expense of others. Examples include greed, cutting someone off in traffic, or acquiring wealth through dishonest means.
- Positive selfishness: Though it brings personal satisfaction, it positively impacts those around us. For example, helping a teammate or sharing bread with someone in need makes us feel good but also benefits others.
The Importance of a Balanced Value System
A well-defined and balanced value system helps maintain the delicate balance between serving oneself and serving others. When this balance is disrupted, negative selfishness dominates, leading to harm. A person who prioritizes their own pleasure over the well-being of others contributes to a society with low social values.
Why Are People Evil?
People aren’t inherently evil. Rather, they become insensitive to the needs and suffering of others when their negative selfishness grows too strong. This insensitivity leads them to choose their own pleasure, even when it causes harm to others. They prioritize personal satisfaction without considering the consequences for others. In this way, negative selfishness gives rise to behaviors that we perceive as evil.
By keeping our value systems balanced, we can curb this harmful selfishness and promote positive actions that serve both ourselves and society.