Prager University: Human Nature -- Are We Basically Good?
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Dennis discusses our core human nature. Are we basically good? How you answer this question says a lot about your world view. After attending this Prager U course, that view may change.
Some of the comments, underscore that an important part of Prager University is class participation, the comments. Right now I'm trying to reconcile "sinners" and "bad people." If we are born with a blank slate (neutral) and we individually act in accordance with what is written on that slate (our experiences), then how can we be born sinners? Can both concepts be right and wrong?
If you are right about a new born baby being a sinner then maybe the woman who terminates the fetus saved us all from a really bad sinner. Sin no matter what definition you give it is an achievement. This necessitates you making choices that excel or challenge your level of accomplishment in behaviors that your environment deems ‘sin’. Your third sentence puts mud in the water ‘innately capable’ is u turn from ‘all born sinners’ especially in light of infants who are born extremely challenged (Palin’s child). Even in life I don’t know any mothers or fathers who admit that upon the first cry of their infant said; “now there’s one hell-of-a sinner”.
Dennis believes in the statement that there are two types of people: the decent and the indecent. Realistically most people are a combination of the two. Decent people can sometimes do indecent things and vice versa.
This is one of the first times that I have not had clarity in my views with you, Dennis. We are all born sinners - that doesn't mean sort of good-sort of bad. We are innately capable of (and will do) bad things (sin). Perhaps this discussion diverges where our faith does - I have hope through Christ. I am a sinner AND I am showered with the gift of grace. We will sin - and as you described we are capable of many, many good things. Keep up your great work!
Young children are not altruistic, they are self centered. They have to be taught to share which probably sounds like socialism to some of Dennis's followers.
Steve, Conservatives don't confuse sharing with socialism. Individuals should share but under their own free will. Socialism is Forced sharing with the government deciding what you should share. We are not children and don't need the gov't to force us to share. Dennis' video "The bigger the gov't the smaller the citizen" touches on this indirectly.
It's good for conservatives to hear your views, but you will do yourself more service if you don't make assumptions about us. Respectfully yours.
Please accept my apology for my fellow citizens who use this forum to demonstrate their limited reasoning, thinking and learning skills. It is embarrassing to read some of these comments...
Thank you for what you do... you are a positive influence in a confused world... Americans Love you... take care of yourself.
Young children are not altruistic, they are self centered. They have to be taught to share which probably sounds like socialism to some of Dennis's followers.
Altruism, Good, Bad are achievements acquired to survive and are subordinate to the innate desire/instinct to survive. Find the code in the DNA that controls the desire/instinct to survive and you are looking at the soul of life with triggers.
I would be interested to know what Dennis thinks about altruism. You can observe this human trait in very young children. So are we born with an altruistic nature?
The American Heritage Dictionary defines altruism as "1. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness", but continues with "2. Zoology Instinctive behavior that is detrimental to the individual but favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes, as by benefiting its relatives". I think the second definition accurately describes, as a natural phenomenon among animals as well as humans, such behaviors.
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Steve,
Conservatives don't confuse sharing with socialism. Individuals should share but under their own free will. Socialism is Forced sharing with the government deciding what you should share. We are not children and don't need the gov't to force us to share. Dennis' video "The bigger the gov't the smaller the citizen" touches on this indirectly.
It's good for conservatives to hear your views, but you will do yourself more service if you don't make assumptions about us. Respectfully yours.
Please accept my apology for my fellow citizens who use this forum to demonstrate their limited reasoning, thinking and learning skills. It is embarrassing to read some of these comments...
Thank you for what you do... you are a positive influence in a confused world... Americans Love you... take care of yourself.
James 47
to some of Dennis's followers.
The American Heritage Dictionary defines altruism as "1. Unselfish concern for the welfare of others; selflessness", but continues with "2. Zoology Instinctive behavior that is detrimental to the individual but favors the survival or spread of that individual's genes, as by benefiting its relatives". I think the second definition accurately describes, as a natural phenomenon among animals as well as humans, such behaviors.
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