I recently talked to a couple friends about whether they thought humans are inherently evil or good. Well I personally believe neither because what people classify to be good and evil differs from person to person. Evil and good are just a way we classify actions and separate the ones we like from the ones we don't. It seems to be entirely subjective as its based on experiences and opinions. It really comes down to self-interest. Who are we to claim what's evil and what's good? For example, with the case of the US vs ISIS, the US views itself as the good side, but so does ISIS. Both are fighting for what they think is right, however we choose which side is evil or good based on our personal interest and beliefs, our perspective. Both sides claim the other is evil and a threat to their way of life. Who is wrong in this situation? Well obviously ISIS, right? But why is that? Because they kill? So does the US and every other country during war. Now I'm not saying I support ISIS, (I do personally view them as the bad guys, the evil side, in this situation) but what I am saying is that we classify them as the evil side because it's in our self-interest to do so and because their beliefs completely conflict with ours, not because they're inherently evil. The point I'm really making is that things aren't black and white like we like them to be. Things are not so one sided. There is no one absolute GOOD and one absolute EVIL. There is no one side in a conflict that is definitely and absolutely evil while the other is definitely and absolutely good. I'm saying its a matter of perspective. Each individual decides what is good and evil to them. That's why I don't think we are born inherently good or evil, but rather selfish. We only do things to gain something, even if it's charity. I personally believe people only participate in charity to gain the gratification of knowing they did something looked on positively by others. They do it to feel good about themselves. Optimist will say we are all inherently good and only a vocal minority are corrupted into being "evil". Pessimists will say we are all inherently evil and claim they are just being a realists. But realists will say humans can be neither inherently good or evil because we ourselves define what's good and evil. Tl;Dr ~ I believe we are neither inherently good or evil, but selfish because what we define as evil and good is a matter of perspective, and we act out of self-interest. Please share your views on the subject. I would love to hear some other people's thoughts and reasoning. I'm always open to criticism, so long as it brings up solid points. *sorry for any grammatical or spelling mistakes*