The book "The Mountain People" by anthropologist Colin Turnbull is an ethnographic study of a group reduced to an absolute basic level of self-preservation. While Turnbull refrains from analysing his time in the field with any theoretical framework, the reader is left with the impression that, at the core, humans are neither 'good' or 'evil', but rather acting only out of instincts of self-preservation. The actions that humans engage in to achieve this, are judged, based on the standards of the society that they live in, as 'good' or 'evil'. These concepts are therefore, 'sociall constructed'.
Obviously, when humans in a society have their most basic needs taken care of (for the most part) many layers of behaviour are added. However, the conclusion remains that, at the core, humans are not intrinsically 'good' or 'evil'.
This is a really amazing and quite sobering read by the way, and I would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.
__________________
Would HAVE, Could HAVE, Should HAVE = correct
Would of, could of, should of = you are an illiterate moron.
|