Nature, Nurture, or Choice: What Really Shapes Human Character?

Through the years since the beginning of human existence, we've had situations of good and bad among mankind, and when you take a critical look at it, it's quite difficult to pinpoint where or how people get either of these traits. Take, for instance, the case of Cain and Abel, who were the children of the first man and woman according to the biblical storyline; we get to see that both of them exhibit different traits despite being from the same parents. These and several other instances have led to people questioning the source of how these happen, and in this article I'll be stating what I feel is the source according to my personal beliefs.

There are a lot of possibilities and things that can influence a human trait to either be good or evil, and all of these play a significant part in how individuals react to situations. Take, for instance, blaming an individual who was born and raised in a family and community of terrorists, who grew up seeing everyone around them take human lives as though it's nothing or being unethical without feeling remorseful. Such a person will grow up thinking that's the template via which life should be lived, but is that right? certainly not, so this is just one angle of what I'm saying.

But then, we can all agree that not everyone was raised in such a setting, and yet they turn out bad. In fact, some of these bad individuals were raised by one of the loveliest people on earth, and despite how exceptional they are, their children turn out to be the direct opposite of their traits. Whatcould be the cause? Is it that such an individual just wishes to follow an alternative path, or does nature already orchestrate traits differently for people regardless of their backgrounds, and the likes.

In my own opinion, I believe there are two possible reasons why individuals can decide to be either good or bad. First on the list for me is parental and societal influence. There's this biblical phrase that says, Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he grows he'll not depart from it, so what that phrase is saying is that how we train up a child and the influence they get while growing up often go on to not only shape their character but also influence the traits they exhibit.

On the other hand, another thing I felt can determine if an individual would become good or bad is individual decisions. You see why I said this is because as humans we all have a conscience, and that conscience always questions all of our every shady decision. This conscience is more like an inner judge that checkmates all of our acts and behaviors, and deep within yourself, you'll know when you're right and when you're wrong. I understand we can say some people's conscience has been shut down. The truth is that before you commit a bad act consistently to the point where your conscience stops seeing anything bad in your behavior, it would have checkmated you over and over until it gets to a point where it's used to you exhibiting such bad behavior.

Overall, I don't think it's easy to pinpoint what or how people get these traits, but the two I highlighted can be agreed to be some of what shapes such traits. Overall we should all just try to live a life of peace and an exemplary one that does not affect others negatively.

All photos are taken and edited on.