"Do you think that people are inherently "wicked" and struggle to live a good life, or do you think we are born innocent and then corrupted by society or culture? The clash of beliefs as to whether or not man is born good or evil has always been one that's bothered me when I've listened to it. The opinions of people regarding the matter seem so baised as to past experiences that rarely do they ever take into account the idea that there could be a possible alternative nature to man, one not involving good or evil at all. My opinion, of course, does not involve the idea that man is born into either trait, but that he is born in a state of neutrality, and develops a perception of good and evil throughout his lifetime that dictates who and what falls under those categories. An insane person, by our standards, might believe that murder is acceptable and that all who oppose it are insane. This is the way they perceive reality-- whether it be a mental disorder or simply the way they were brought up in life. Because the vast majority of people dictate what's right and wrong, we come up with an image that an evil person must be someone like Hitler or Stalin, whereas a good person would be Ghandi or Rosa Parks. What we fail to realize is that in every 'good' person, there lies some wickedness by our standards. If we're to go by what our belief of good is, then I think it's the upbringing and environment, not to mention the decision by the person themself, which determines the wickedness or goodness of that person.