Naturally Evil or Naturally Nice?
Are human beings naturally caring, nice people? Or are they born with the desire to please no one but themselves? These questions have been asked by philosophers and curious minds alike since the beginning of civilization. In "This is Water" by David Foster Wallace, Wallace has the extreme belief that all human beings are naturally selfish. It is humans' "natural default-setting"(234) to be self-centered and oblivious to the feelings of others. This is due to the fact that "there is no experience you've had that you were not at the absolute center of"(233). Whether it is your own birthday party or one for your friend, it is remembered through your own mind and viewpoint. You remember every events through your owns eyes, and even if you experience the same thing as someone else, you each have your own opinions and takeaways. If Wallace's belief that humans are selfish is true, does that make humans evil? Does seeing things through your ow