Do you believe most people are really good people?

[ManOnFire]

We often say "Most people really are good people?" But do you think that's really true?

[Datboi65]

No. I don't like to use terms like "good people" and "bad people" because reality is often more complex.

I think most people are somewhere in the middle of the morality spectrum. There are things that we can agree are good and should be encouraged, then there are other things where we don't really know where to draw the line. I will give you an example:

People deal differently with being wronged. "Good people" generally have grace and are more forgiving, but that's just not fair to expect everyone to be forgiving. This same person who may struggle with forgiveness (which is a decent quality that they are lacking) may be charitable. Another example is how many people will take a 20 dollar bill with no owner that they find on the floor, but happen to help out their neighbors.

These were minor examples, but you get the point. The real picture is more complicated than that. So many of us think we are good, but we don't fully now ourselves or what we may be capable of when we are pushed to the limit. I used to think so too, but even I started thinking about some of the things I've done and started second-guessing myself.

If you look at any scale, whether it's wealth or IQ or height and so on there's always an "average" which is the midpoint, and I don't think it's that different when it comes to morality. I think true "good people" are rare, just like true "evil people" are rare and majority of people are capable of doing both.

[StormChaser838]

Most people ARE GOOD, they are just victims of poor conscience, greed, fear, egos, etc. etc, its that each an every person is an angel really, they just do bad things some times, real bad. It all boils down to the first advice Jesus gave, BLESSED ARE THE POOR IN SPIRIT. Here he is not taking about anything spiritual, he is talking about demeanor, disposition and general behavior, to be rich in spirit, is to be proud, overconfident etc, etc, it is mainly such excess that lead to poor ethics. There is a very small line between a saint and a sinner. If you ever saw a Bin la Din or a Hitler you would see they are just normal dudes, infact with a little less luck any of us could be just as bad. One again, lets not be to proud in pointing fingers at the worlds ills, since the master of masters also said, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” ... ( this was when they were stoning the whore ) So unless we are sinless, it is not on us to judge the world.

[ManOnFire]

I think that's fair.

[Robbey]

Considering I believe in God and I’m a Christian, I believe humans are inherently good, because creation is inherently good. However, human nature is obviously flawed, but any creature capable of giving and receiving love - as humans obviously are - is necessarily good. Moreover, if humans are created in the image and likeness of God, then if we’re not inherently good, then God isn’t good either. And by extension, Jesus isn’t either.

[fantasticass]

Depends. The majority of the population over the age of 50 are much more respectful of other's. But the rest of the population age 49 and under are questionable.

[spg12212122]

Are most people Good?

What is good? You cannot be aimlessly good and most people aren't aimless. There must be a purpose behind the actions and the reason for acting and its result. There are many definitions of Good but not always align with how we expect. We increase in skill so therefore most people aim to be good at what they do but it doesn't always work out as Sods Law, what can go wrong, does go wrong. But that isn't the fault of the person.

If you mean are most people moral? Or good at being moral? Then what is moral? Everyone has a nature, such as sweet sometimes bitter, and distasteful. That has no effect on their mental judgment while humans may not like them all humans can discern morality and they are pretty good at understanding regardless of their actions they know they are taking the path of wickedness and darkness like the Nazis in Germany they knew they were taking on a darker path.

So while actions never conform to the ideal, and have unexpected results, all humans are excellent at the judgment of morality while choosing not to conform to it. They have a choice to be good and some humans are incapable of good or evil too.

[Vegasrunner]

No. The word "good" is subjective. People fighting for Russia, believe they are "good" People fighting for Ukraine believe those same people are "bad" in my opinion most people act based on their circumstances. A father that steals food to feed his family is loved by his children but considered a criminal by society. My rule of thumb is a never judge a person's character until I see how they react when they are put under pressure.

[Wish4UrB00ty]

I think in general yes. I have little faith in most people though as even good people do rotten things some times I let people prove to me that they are good people and then when they mess up there is grace in measure.

[dragoblack]

Pffft, no. I judge based on ones character, interact like everyone has a motive, but always be ready for betrayal... from experience... humans suck and are quick to hurt others given the chance

[ManOnFire]

Yep, same thought.

[WhiteBoyChill]

I don’t. At the end of the day most people are only thinking about themselves and their own self interests, and they’ll never bother to help the struggling guy next to them

[ManOnFire]

Same thought, yeah.

[Hispanic-Cool-Guy]

No such thing as a "good person" We can do good deeds but human nature is inherently evil i. e. selfish, greedy, hateful, envious etc.

Only the lord Jesus Christ is inherently good and pure and Holy.

[OfMiceandMen]

I think it is true/accurate. Most people want to live a relatively simple life without much drama.

However, like anything in life/nature, you always get some bad apples in the mix that don't conform to norm.

[ManOnFire]

Makes sense. But what about beyond just wanting to live a simple life? What about how they treat others too?

[OfMiceandMen]

I think most people treat people how they want to be treated. If you're the type of person that tramples over everyone in your path to get what you want or make mountains over mole hills, then you're likely not going to have the best of best of relationships. The old saying, you get what you give, rings true.

[AmeerX]

It's not true. Most people are not really good people.
We say most people didn't get a chance to be bad. As in, most people's real nature is seen in difficult situations

[NostalgiaSenpi]

No. Most people seem indifferent. If presented with a choice, there's plenty willing to do a bad deed for the right price, even those that seem good at the time.

[Anonymous]

I think most people THINK they're good people.

[ManOnFire]

Great answer.

[Nikki1989]

No, most people only care about themselves.

[LordOfThePines]

I used to, until sadly the world has proven otherwise. So I cherish those I love and care about.

[LiamJHayden]

No. Even most seemingly altruistic actions have a hidden agenda.

[Tiffanytrans]

You judge people on their fruit. The world is a an rotten orchard full of maggots.

So you tell me.

[DryGermanGuy]

I agree. 99% of the people we encounter daily are reasonable enough to not cause any violations of the social compact.

[HappyWoman34]

Meh, some are, some aren’t. It’s up to each individual to sort the wheat from the chaff.

[Apulu_Imback]

No one is a good person or bad person. They are just people who do some good or bad deeds.

[exitseven]

Nope, most people are pond scum.

[ManOnFire]

Pond scum lol.

[Anonymous]

Unfortuantely i do , even though got cheated on many times but still i believe.

[serious]

Honestly I am not very sure.