Are humans inherently good?

The question of whether humans are inherently good is complex and has been discussed by various guests on Lex Fridman's podcast. Here are a few perspectives:

1. Anthony Pompliano: He believes that intention and action are separate and that people generally have good intentions. He suggests that people are inherently good, though the world is not as black and white as society often perceives. The complexity arises when actions contradict intentions or are misconstrued by societal norms 1.

2. Andrew Callaghan: Callaghan notes that most people believe they are doing the best thing for the world and fight for what they think is right, suggesting that most people are good. However, he points out that people are primarily motivated by self-interest, which is not necessarily bad but can affect behavior 2.

3. Guido van Rossum: Van Rossum speaks on the potential for both good and evil in everyone, much of which depends on circumstances and context. This view highlights the complexity and variability in human nature 3.

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     1

     Good vs. Evil

     00:22:00
     
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     2

     Understanding Human Nature

     02:48:45
     
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     3

     Nature of Good and Evil

     00:00:41
     
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     4

     Human Nature Explored

     01:01:11
     

4. Michael I. Jordan: He asserts that humans are fundamentally good but emphasizes our limitations due to self-centered perspectives. He believes that expanding our views through technology could help reveal the underlying goodness 4.

These insights demonstrate that while there may be a leaning towards inherent goodness, human behavior is influenced by a variety of factors including intentions, circumstances, self-interest, and societal contexts.