Not sure I agree with the whole argument. I watch the Small kids, as well as others. Children under a certain age are very self-serving. They want everything for themselves. Cam has been taught a certain level of empathy, and Maurelle is learning it. They are not being led to God, or being given any particular moral training (that I'm aware of) beyond "Do Unto Others..." and being taught to follow rules we adults give them.
So, my observations lead me to believe that our nature is to be greedy and selfish, and only through learning of other ways of being do we seek those more communal ways. Admittedly, there is now a good deal of science that now says that we do get benefits from being altruistic and "good."
Now, that said, I also don't believe in the idea that we are "born sinners." Children don't know good or evil (sin) until they're taught it. They simply act from a more amoral, animalistic level until they learn to access their empathy. (Assuming they ever do, which I think is a large part of the problems with our country.)
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
regna
Re: clarification?
Date: 2008-09-09 09:17 pm (UTC)So, my observations lead me to believe that our nature is to be greedy and selfish, and only through learning of other ways of being do we seek those more communal ways. Admittedly, there is now a good deal of science that now says that we do get benefits from being altruistic and "good."
Now, that said, I also don't believe in the idea that we are "born sinners." Children don't know good or evil (sin) until they're taught it. They simply act from a more amoral, animalistic level until they learn to access their empathy. (Assuming they ever do, which I think is a large part of the problems with our country.)