People are generally good.
Really.
They are.
They mean well, and–so long as it doesn’t indebt them somehow–they will do well.
However, things get complicated, because quantifying debt is a fickle little game. In fact, in order to further this discussion, we need to point out a seeming paradox to the previous graph’s assertion: A simple, undeniable fact is that every single action an individual takes is done under the pretense that it will improve his or her life.
Starting broadly, if someone steals, he or she does so out of some desire–be it material or chemical, monetary or adrenal. Less broad: If someone talks, he or she feels that something unsaid should be spoken, and–further–that he or she should be the one to speak it. One would not speak if the consequences of not doing so outweigh the weight of the words.
–Consider here how the fifth amendment abolishes a catch-22 wherein someone would have to either face the consequences of speaking or face the consequences of remaining silent–
Even less broad: Partaking in religion is a means to comfort, whether it be sating insatiable questions eschewing tough decision.
Even charity. People do charity because of how it makes them feel and/or because of the expectation of reciprocity, not because altruism is instinctual.
It’s not.
Which brings me full circle: People are generally good and generally do good things because, in general, these little favors make people feel better about themselves–in fact raising their overall value.
Every action is an end to a more valuable self in some way, and no single action by any single individual is any more self-righteous or selfish than you, yourself, are capable of–and, quite likely, often surpass.
Evil does not exist. People simply want different things and, because of their environment and temperament–or perhaps more proper, predisposition–have different moral compasses.
Because of this, we need to be careful about how we judge others whose actions we don’t approve of. We, in fact, are sinners in the eyes of others, others we probably won’t agree with but who have as much right to judge us as we, them.
