The Nature of Human Morality: Arguing for the Inherent Goodness of Human Nature
I. Introduction
A. Introduce the central claim that human nature is fundamentally good
B. Explain why the discussion of innate goodness remains relevant today
C. Thesis Statement:
Human beings are born with natural tendencies toward kindness, empathy, and cooperation, and what we call “evil” largely arises from harmful environments, social pressures, or the absence of proper moral development.
II. Philosophical Foundations: Rousseau and the Tradition of Innate Goodness
A. Rousseau’s concept of the “natural man”
1. Humans are born gentle and harmless
2. Society corrupts natural goodness
B. Confucian thought (Mencius)
3. “Human nature is originally good”
4. Goodness is inherent; wrongdoing arises from external forces
C. Buddhist and Daoist perspectives
5. Human beings possess an originally pure heart
6. Evil is a deviation caused by desires and external disturbances
III. Psychological Evidence: Goodness as an Innate Tendency
A. Empathy in infants
1. Newborns cry when hearing other babies cry
2. Studies show infants prefer “helpers” over “harmers”
B. Development of prosocial behavior.
3. Young children naturally comfort and share
4. Evolutionary psychology: cooperation increases group survival
C. Aggression is learned rather than innate
5. Social learning theory: violence is modeled, not inborn
6. Trauma and lack of affection contribute to antisocial behavior.
IV. Sociological Evidence: Harmful Environments Produce “Evil”
A. Structural inequalities and violent environments
1. Crime correlates strongly with poverty and social instability
2. Harmful behavior. originates from social deprivation
B. The importance of socialization
3. Positive upbringing cultivates moral behavior.
4. Toxic environments distort natural goodness
C. Cultural pressures
5. Social norms can suppress or misguide innate kindness
6. Systems of oppression produce conflict, not human nature itself
V. Counterarguments and Responses
A. Address claims that aggression is biologically innate
B. Respond to Hobbes’ “state of nature” argument
C. Emphasize that changes in environment significantly alter outcomes
VI. Conclusion
A. Human beings possess an inherent inclination toward goodness
B. Harmful behavior. emerges primarily due to external pressures and social structures
C. Strengthening education, emotional support, and equitable systems can allow human goodness to flourish