Is Kindness Learnt Or Are We Just Kind?

Question

crmoore · Accepted Answer

With all due respect, those people, especially the last one, are very pretentious and not even rightfully so. You can be "truly kind" and either 1. disagree with the notion that it's a discipline, or 2. not know it is (supposedly) a discipline.

I'm not philosopher so I'm not stating anything definitively, here, but I'm not inclined to agree with what they say (mostly?). Some people's kindness comes very, very naturally. That is most definitely a trait.

You could argue "they were raised to be kind" but with that logic, you could say people with anger management issues were "raised to have anger management issues." Which, in some cases, their upbringing certification can be partially or entirely the reason as to why they are like that. But in many cases it is entirely biological.

Emotions are a direct result or chemical balances in our brain and humans don't all produce exactly the same amount. Some people are naturally more kind than others, some or naturally less kind. In these cases, it is a trait not a discipline.

Now, in cases where people are not naturally kind and they actively try to control their actions/reactions, this is most definitely discipline (but they also have the trait of beint naturally unkind). But to assert that kindness in its entirety is a discipline is not something I'm inclined to agree with.

But to answer YOUR question more directly, both. Kindness can be natural and inclined, or learned and disciplined.

BullShark · Accepted Answer

Bit of both.

You can be born with a kind heart, a natural sense of self to be kind to others, and just do good in general. You feel bad about things that are bad and thinking of doing bad things. You can also feel good about doing good acts and being kind.

And at the same time, you can also learn to be kind as well after seeing others' example. It's a sense of discipline and a virtue you can pick up on, in a sense. You might see other people's kindness, which can inspire you to be kind yourself.

laurieluvsit · Accepted Answer

I think a lot of it is taught to us by example.

If our parents are kind, we will most likely be kind.

But if they are not, then it is a roll of the dice as to what we will become, sad to say :(

Great question Ms @anon1903

SaoirseS · Accepted Answer

It's learned behavior that develops more naturally with some, less so with others. Upbringing, environment, experiences all play a part.

Sargentcaptain · Answer

I guess it's a mix of both. I doubt people can be kind if they aren't right in the head, whether the reason for that is written in their genes or if they just had a weird accident that messed up parts of their brain. But people also act kind at times because they were taught it was the right thing to do even if they didn't necessarily think so initially.

JDavid25 · Answer

Definitely both.. Some people are born with a propensity to really like other humans and that propensity can build compassion and love, which in they naturally are kinder to their fellow man.. In turn those people may grow to have children and let's say those children are not as people oriented and a bit more selfish.. Those parents will still teach them kindness which in turn will make those children kind people..

call_me_scar · Answer

I think its something we know on instinct as baby's have been shown to have a basic understanding of right and wrong so maybe it's an evolutionary trait

Wonderwhat · Answer

When you become an adult you learn not to be an assholr because you don't want to be treated like one.

TallAnon · Answer

Monkeys have kindness, so it is definitely an inherent trait.   Have a look at 3.27

slatyb · Answer

We are kind unless we are taught not to be. Other species show empathy, particular the great t are closely related to us, but also cetaceans and I think elephants.

Spotifyplaylist · Answer

Its definitely both , but mostly something you learn.

Spiritofn · Answer

My (komputer”phone”) has treated me better then my family for the most part.

Never quits on me. Goes around the clock, has actually taught me how to be an animal and not a robot… <3 *fistbump pc* *fistbump question*

jshm2 · Answer

Neither.  Kindness is subjective. Serial killers believe they are being "kind" with the victims they target.

Js3522 · Answer

a lot depends on your up bringing, what kind of people are around you a lot, you may make someone your idol, if they are a kind person chances are you will be,

Kareem_z21 · Answer

I think we are born neutral. Not kind nor evil. Both are learnt

NathanDavis · Answer

I was born kind... and then I learned over time, how fortunate I am because of it

madgoat · Answer

It's both. Parents tend to reward kind behaviour but it's there to start with, not manufactured. Unless you're a psychopath

AndrésC64 · Answer

Kindness, altruism, empathy are all part of what we are as social beings. We are not the only animals to show these characteristics.

ArtemisSilver · Answer

It's learned, and can be taught against if someone has a bad life.

NishantPu · Answer

It's hard to plant tree in a desert.  Kindness can be learnt but only if u are born in such a circumstance where you are able to feel it.

Pudsmucker · Answer

A lot of us have been taught that courtesy and kindness goes a long way.

the_sinner · Answer

I guess it’s learnt. Either formally or by some series of events which trigger the sense of kindness within us.

Guardian45 · Answer

I'd like to believe that it is default human nature, but I have discovered that is NOT true!

Deku2009 · Answer

It’s learned at a young age mixed with our personality

BrickBiggems · Answer

Suffering teaches kindness. We are not born kind.

EarthRealm · Answer

Kindness is Self destructive

pizzalovershouse · Answer

Learnt in most cases

anylolone · Answer

Neither. It's complicated...

Ms_Facesitter · Answer

It's learned.

Is Kindness Learnt Or Are We Just Kind?

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