How does my 2 page essay sound? Why do some people commit evil acts and others do not? Theories abound about the origin of evil and how it is that some people do evil things while others do not. One such theory states that human beings decide which path they will take in life. Another theory is that society influences people to do right or wrong. There is also a belief that some people are born to do evil (thence- a “bad seed”). Based on these theories, it may be possible to determine the core of how and why a person becomes evil.
Human beings may be born neutral with two completely different paths (similar to the symbols of yin and yang), and as one grows within his or her surroundings and influences, the paths that he or she possess may be shaped and later determine what kind of person they will become in life. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Satan turns his back on God and promises to spend the rest of eternity doing evil (Milton 654). Satan chooses the path of evil over good. The theory of one being born neutral with two completely different possible paths is supported when Satan commits this unexpected act. There is a great similarity between Satan’s choice to do evil and human beings who, unexpectedly, commit evil acts. In today’s modern world, the Menendez brothers serve as an example of this neutral theory. The young boys, who appear to be well-respected and wondrous children, unexpectedly murder their parents (“The Menendez Brothers” 1).
Choices made may also be controlled by how one deals with an influential environment or society. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth persuades her husband Macbeth, the once strong and noble warrior, to murder King Duncan in order to gain the throne of Scotland, which only leads to the downfall of Macbeth (Shakespeare 468). Does society contribute in turning the once good Macbeth into an evil and power-hungry monster? The answer in this particular situation is yes; but could this particular theory contribute to human beings in today’s modern world? In certain situations, it may possibly be a major contribution to the evilness in humans. If a person was influenced to take drugs at a young age and then later become a drug addict, would the influencer be the one to blame? The answer to this particular question would most likely vary from person to person. In this case, however, society does indeed influence a person to do wrong.
Could a person be born, and in turn be fated, to do acts of evil? This is like asking if Adolf Hitler was somehow meant to murder millions of innocent people during the Holocaust (“Adolf Hitler” 1). Human beings may be born absolutely pure and sinless. The age of reason does not begin until seven years old, when the mind can then be tempted and good and evil is understood .The world then begins to influence their minds in positive and negative ways. People are born with the natural ability to sin, but they are not necessarily born evil; they are born with the capacity to make mistakes in their lives, and humanity agrees that we continuously fall short of glorified perfection. An evil nature is a conscience choice that many people must face at one point in their life or another.
The three possible theories of the roots of evil and why certain people do such evil acts are made clear by comparing some of history’s most influential evil beings to today’s modern acts of evil. Are there some who are simply born good? Of course not. It is natural for human beings to be born with thoughts of sin. It is those who choose to commit their lives to evil who are the top contributors of evil. As Samuel Johnson once stated, "He, who makes a beast out of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man. (“Samuel Johnson” 1).”
This is really good! The only advice I have is this: You state, in this order 1. Humans decide 2. Society influence 3. Natural state. I would discuss these points in that order.
I know that you have, but the first line in the second paragraph is a bit misleading and recalls your last point of man born either good or bad. Perhaps just change it up a bit. The line is good, just put it further down in the paragraph.
July 27th, 2009 | 
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How does my 2 page essay sound?
Why do some people commit evil acts and others do not? Theories abound about the origin of evil and how it is that some people do evil things while others do not. One such theory states that human beings decide which path they will take in life. Another theory is that society influences people to do right or wrong. There is also a belief that some people are born to do evil (thence- a “bad seed”). Based on these theories, it may be possible to determine the core of how and why a person becomes evil.
Human beings may be born neutral with two completely different paths (similar to the symbols of yin and yang), and as one grows within his or her surroundings and influences, the paths that he or she possess may be shaped and later determine what kind of person they will become in life. In John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Satan turns his back on God and promises to spend the rest of eternity doing evil (Milton 654). Satan chooses the path of evil over good. The theory of one being born neutral with two completely different possible paths is supported when Satan commits this unexpected act. There is a great similarity between Satan’s choice to do evil and human beings who, unexpectedly, commit evil acts. In today’s modern world, the Menendez brothers serve as an example of this neutral theory. The young boys, who appear to be well-respected and wondrous children, unexpectedly murder their parents (“The Menendez Brothers” 1).
Choices made may also be controlled by how one deals with an influential environment or society. In William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Lady Macbeth persuades her husband Macbeth, the once strong and noble warrior, to murder King Duncan in order to gain the throne of Scotland, which only leads to the downfall of Macbeth (Shakespeare 468). Does society contribute in turning the once good Macbeth into an evil and power-hungry monster? The answer in this particular situation is yes; but could this particular theory contribute to human beings in today’s modern world? In certain situations, it may possibly be a major contribution to the evilness in humans. If a person was influenced to take drugs at a young age and then later become a drug addict, would the influencer be the one to blame? The answer to this particular question would most likely vary from person to person. In this case, however, society does indeed influence a person to do wrong.
Could a person be born, and in turn be fated, to do acts of evil? This is like asking if Adolf Hitler was somehow meant to murder millions of innocent people during the Holocaust (“Adolf Hitler” 1). Human beings may be born absolutely pure and sinless. The age of reason does not begin until seven years old, when the mind can then be tempted and good and evil is understood .The world then begins to influence their minds in positive and negative ways. People are born with the natural ability to sin, but they are not necessarily born evil; they are born with the capacity to make mistakes in their lives, and humanity agrees that we continuously fall short of glorified perfection. An evil nature is a conscience choice that many people must face at one point in their life or another.
The three possible theories of the roots of evil and why certain people do such evil acts are made clear by comparing some of history’s most influential evil beings to today’s modern acts of evil. Are there some who are simply born good? Of course not. It is natural for human beings to be born with thoughts of sin. It is those who choose to commit their lives to evil who are the top contributors of evil. As Samuel Johnson once stated, "He, who makes a beast out of himself, gets rid of the pain of being a man. (“Samuel Johnson” 1).”
omg i hope your not turning that in it dont even make any sense
References :
This is really good! The only advice I have is this: You state, in this order 1. Humans decide 2. Society influence 3. Natural state. I would discuss these points in that order.
I know that you have, but the first line in the second paragraph is a bit misleading and recalls your last point of man born either good or bad. Perhaps just change it up a bit. The line is good, just put it further down in the paragraph.
Great work!
References :