Everything about someone is determined, at it's core, by something outside their control. Whether that's their genes, their upbringing, or where they were born.

So really whether someone can be fundamentally bad would depend on what the definition is. I would say there are bad people but it's not their fault.

[–] Axisential 3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I have two kids who are so different in temperament that's it's just not funny. Considering they are only separated by 2 years, one has to assume their upbringings were pretty similar, so that leaves genetics as the primary driver. If you take this to its logical extreme, you would have to find people whose genetic combination is such that no amount of nurture and 'good' upbringing could ever compensate.

So yes, I believe there are some people out there who are just fundamentally at odds with what society would define as a 'good person', from the outset. Horrible thought (Divergent, anyone?!) but they're sort of buggered from the start aren't they...

[–] Dave 2 points 1 year ago

I feel like I've read a book that talked about reasons humans seem to have more diverse personalities amongst a sibling group compared to most animals. I'm afraid I can't remember what the book was or what it's conclusions were, though 🙁

I'm pretty sure there are studies that look at this though, in particular with twins, especially identical twins, as part of that old nature vs nurture debate.

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 1 year ago

I have 3 boys, they are all very different; the oldest is very academic, but he has issues relating to people; the middle one is kind and thoughtful, very imaginative and funny; the youngest is very physical, loves to play and push and just be active.

All of them are similar is a bunch of ways; but there are differences and I have to assume there is a genetic component.

[–] absGeekNZ 2 points 1 year ago

It does get back to the free will discussion. As someone who falls firmly on the freewill does exist, line of reasoning.

I think what upbringing does is restrict the types of choices that you can make. The "worse" your upbringing; the fewer choices that occur to you.