So. Do you think that human beings are naturally honest or dishonest? This includes lying, stealing, shady practices, con jobs, that sort of thing. Even with all that kind of crime that goes on today, I'm inclined to believe that the human mind is naturally honest, and benevolent. Of course, we all tell our little white lies from time to time, but on a greater scale, very few among us are thieves, embezzlers, that kind of thing. I work retail, so I'm in contact with a great number of people. Many people who come in have a chance to swipe stuff with a small chance of getting caught. But they don't. The average person, without fail, pays for them at the counter. As cynical as I am about the human race, and the world we live in, it gives comfort that, at least in my experience and what I see, that there's at least ONE good thing about us.
Depends on how you define honest. Most people won't steal for no reason but then at the same time most people will distort the truth to put forth a different image so you can never be sure if you have met the a person or just the facade they put up.
I think classifying humans as naturally honest or dishonest is oversimplifying things. But if I were to choose, I would say people are more inclined to be honest. People very, very rarely try to hurt or deceive others for no reason, if at all. Most, if not all, dishonest actions are caused by a particular need or desire. For example, cheating. People cheat so they have a better chance of success, not just for the sake of cheating. Even people picking on others do it for a feeling of superiority or other reasons. IMO people are born and inclined to be honest, but circumstances can make them dishonest.
I agree with Wlck, most of us quickly learn that dishonesty is more profitable, but stil not everyone uses it everytime they could gain from it.
I think one of the important factors here is why we do what we do. Lieing is seen as dishonest but what about when somone lies to protect somone else? That can be a noble reason but is still often seen as dishonest
I view honesty and dishonesty as means to an end, not ends themselves. If the end is good, then the actions (Most of the time) are considered good, whereas even if the statements or actions themselves are honest whilst the end is malicious, than the actions are dishonest.
As a kid, I had to lie to get out of trouble. You know those little kid shows that tell you always tell the truth? They are dead wrong. Telling the truth gets you no where. Truth hurts. When you tell your parents you did something, they ground or spank you. (Spank in my case). But if they didn't find out it was me, I have a chance of avoiding pain.
I think we all born fully honest, and learn to be dishonest when growing up. Parents, girls, customers, supervisors, sales persons, law persons etc, are all groups of people who teach you that full honesty will never lead you to anything satisfying. And the more they request honesty from you, the more they expect dishonesty. You will note that by "teaching you", I do not mean "they tell you", no, of course: we are talking about dishonesty here, so I mean "make you understand until you comply", without ever acknowledging. I don't think this fact is linked with our human being, but much more with our western consumer society, based on the crap "I must own more to be happy" thinking, which necessarily lead each one of us to lie as much as we can, with our brothers, our family, our friends etc, in order to be personnaly fully satisfied. Personnaly, I hate lying: it's like a weakness for me, but I admit my life would be much much better if I wouldn't tell all I think to all the people around me. This is just I think this world is bad, not me, and sticking with the mindless sheeps won't help.
Its the natural human instinct to survive. So of course the majority of us are dishonest. Discipline early in your life is what teaches you to resist your instincts.
