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i think some very small contingent of often-extraordinarily rich and powerful -- and, therefore, comparatively-loud -- people either believe or claim to believe
by readonthegoapp 5y ago
i think some very small contingent of often-extraordinarily rich and powerful -- and, therefore, comparatively-loud -- people either believe or claim to believe that humans are selfish/evil.
the fact that someone would have to write a book to countervail that claim shows the incredible power of those few people.
then again, we have folks like Steven Pinker, who - i don't know what his actual views on human nature are - but he definitely seems to be convinced that everything is getting better all the time - despite what seems to me to be at best a mixed record, and from here on out is going to be...challenging.
- raxxorrax 5y agoThere are reasons why you believe this if you disproportionally own more than thousands combined. Even just for yourself you need some justification. What better than to declare humanity evil, constrained by its nature? Makes you sleep better at night and can justify anything you have done. It was just your nature.
- browningstreet 5y agoHonest question: did you read Pinker’s book?
- readonthegoapp 5y agono.
- tapgnid 5y agoThanks for Pinker, I'll add it to my list. Would the primary book be: The Better Angels of Our Nature: Why Violence Has Declined?
- readonthegoapp 5y agoi actually don't know his primary book - but that one sounds reasonable enough - that was definitely one of his reasons why he said the world was getting better.