From childhood kindness to selfless acts of bravery, human nature is shaped by empathy, cooperation, and the desire to do good.

Since the beginning of all, humans have been inherently good — there is empathy, cooperation and a longing for connection intertwined into the fabric of our existence. From an evolutionary perspective, our basic survival relied on the ability to work together, care for one another and form communities built on support. Our instinct to connect was not only practical to our evolution but also shaped our perception of human nature. 

From a young age, children display a natural sense of compassion, instinctively offering assistance or comfort without any formal instruction. The essence of goodness is not something acquired but, rather, an inherent quality, shown to be a fundamental aspect of our humanity.

Throughout history, there have been innumerable instances of people and communities overcoming challenges for the sake and support of others, often at significant sacrifice. That could be first responders heading into certain danger or simply paying for coffee for a stranger. These efforts are evidence of the intrinsic ability of humans to act selflessly and morally. Even when people make mistakes or cause harm, it is typically rooted in misunderstanding, fear or situations that obscure their judgment. Be that as it may, individuals still and will seek forgiveness, look towards growth and return to their foundational urge to do good and be good.

“We are like chameleons. We take our hue and the color of our moral character from those who are around us,” said John Locke, a famous English philosopher. And at our core, we are virtuous social beings who crave connection and warmth. 

From history’s darkest moments to everyday choices, human nature is rooted in self-interest, competition, and the instinct to survive.

From the earliest records of human existence, history has shown a pattern of violence and struggle. Slavery, genocide, oppression and environmental destruction: our consistent themes based on hatred have been displayed over time. 

As humans, we are biologically wired for survival, an instinct that can often manifest as selfishness. With the primal need to protect ourselves, this instinct can sometimes shield us from acting morally good. With ourselves in mind, compassion or peace will almost always come as a second choice.

No matter our religious beliefs or philosophical ethics, humans are social beings who are inherently driven by self-interest. The environment we grow in shapes our behavior and creates values that we consider acceptable or unacceptable. The current environment, valuing wealth, status and success above all, encourages us to be greedy and selfish, creating adults who crave power over peace and compassion.

Humans do have the ability to act in a morally “good” way, acting selflessly to help others in need or doing something simple as returning a lost wallet. These small moments of empathy humans may share are still a slim slice of the whole picture. Without hesitation, most humans would ask themselves first: “Should I return this wallet? Or keep the money for myself?” Though more often than not the wallet is returned safely with the money still in place, our minds naturally want to choose the option that helps us benefit from the situation.

Thomas Hobbes, a famous English philosopher, stated, “The condition of man… is a condition of everyone against everyone.” He highlights how we as humans are led by self-interest, an instinct that will inevitably lead to conflict and competition forever.