Are we basically good or basically evil?

Several of our fiction texts—though especially Out of the Silent Planet—have provided a reflection on humanity’s great capacity for evil. We needn’t look far to see this capacity in the world around us: racism; genocide; war. We can even see it in ourselves: our carelessness; selfishness, and unhealthy obsessions. But humans are also capable of acts of great kindness, of sacrificing for others, of contributing to the greater good.

So what to make of us humans? Are we good? Evil? A bit of both? Our readings for today will help us begin to reflect on these questions. As you read, keep these questions in mind, and reflect on how previous discussions this semester may have responded to them.

Required Philosophy Materials

To prepare for class today, you’ll complete one reading and view two videos. As you watch the videos, reflect on these questions:

• How do Hobbes and Rousseau differ in how they understand ‘the state of nature’?

• How would these two philosophers answer the question: are we basically good or basically evil?

• How do you see the ideas of Hobbes and Rousseau reflected in the way you think about human nature? In the way human nature gets discussed in popular culture? In politics?

After you’ve watched these videos, you’ll read the first three chapters of Genesis.

You can read (or listen) to them online. As you read (or listen), I’d encourage you think about the passages allegorically, and use them to reflect on the following questions:

• How does Genesis provide a view that is similar to or different from that provided by Hobbes and Rousseau?

• How would the author of Genesis answer the question: are we basically good or basically evil?

• How do you see the ideas of Genesis reflected in the way you think about human nature? In the way human nature gets discussed in popular culture? In politics?