When it really comes down to it, at the end of the day are we naturally good, or are we, in our hearts, selfish creatures? Forever people have wondered how humans convey and accept human nature, whether we are good or bad.
This question, which has been answered by philosophers, as well examined in countless films and television shows, was also addressed by a group of researchers from Harvard and Yale who carried out studies in the 2000s looking for the answer. Although no single set of studies can resolve the question, their research suggests that our intuitive responses, or first instincts, trend toward cooperation rather than selfishness.
Human nature is complex. It includes pessimism, optimism, trust, envy, and countless other traits. An envious personality, for example, is one that constantly worries about what others have that they do not. How much control does a person have over such a tendency? To what extent can we choose to exhibit positive rather than negative personality traits?
I believe that nurture, or the environment in which we are raised, can be either a positive or a negative influence on the good intentions we are born with. Most people are born ready to cooperate and be compassionate, but living in this world can cause us to lose hope and change us for the worse.
