Human Nature: Good or Bad? Society: Good or Bad?

Understanding this timeless debate continues – especially for those of us involved in personal development, and that some would take a very dogmatic approach to the answer, I found myself this week pondering the question once again. Being raised in the light that we are definitely bad and thus in need of divine intervention because we cannot possibly save ourselves, I don’t believe I have strayed far from my foundational position but have developed my own unique perspective.

Through hours of internal/external debate, and what I consider “Starbucks Discussion” (what Mike and I ponder on our weekly coffee drive) over the years, I think what has changed is my opinion of the power of personal accountability. I have been around the block and have seen many things I never thought possible – both on the brighter and darker side of human behavior. Thus my respect for the power we have to choose, to decide to do what is right, to understand fully that our integrity must remain intact regardless of the net gain for ourselves in the areas of business, finances, social standing, etc. has grown immensely.

Thomas Hobbes

In revisiting my thinking, I remembered a previous discussion and found I should locate a book by Steven Pinter called The Blank Slate. It may or may not be of value, I'll let you know! What I do know is there are some helpful excerpts from the book that add perspective; Bloggers have pit Thomas Hobbes against Jean-Jacques Rousseau as a result of it. Remembering from philosophy studies Hobbes stated that primitive human life (or natural man) was "solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short" - in other words generally depraved, he takes a negative view and leaves civilization in a position to be good. Ultimately it rescues us from ourselves and teaches us how to behave.

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

In contrast Jean-Jacques Rousseau, the enlightenment philosopher who influenced the French revolution with the book The Social Contract, felt we humans were in early times "noble beasts" (LOL) that civilization had corrupted. Arguing that we should seek to restore conditions to more of a natural rather than technological life, he felt this is what would help us get back to our good nature (so to speak).

While I am not trying to engage in debate, or trying to demonstrate who is right or wrong in my opinion, Hobbes = Human nature is BAD and Civilization is GOOD or Rousseau = Human Nature is GOOD and civilization is BAD, what I wrestle with is on a different level and deals with personal accountability. If I were having a philosophical conversation (oh yes, I guess I am) I would pose the following questions.
"What if we are bad and civilization is bad" OR "What if we are good and civilization is good"?
The reality that hard work and perseverance pays honorable dividends over the long term and shortcuts will more often than not lead to hollow, temporary victories that can possibly defame our character only prove that civilization (if bad) has proven to be the stronger in its ability to corrupt us (if we are good). On the other hand, seeking to aquire unearned gains that compromise our integrity may very well demonstrate that if we are truly bad the goodness of civilization is powerless to overcome our nature - both to the same end.

Either way, I come to this conclusion. Regardless of what is true or false, partially or completely, how we were raised, what we believe to be the truth, what we think we know, etc., it is the choice we make ourselves that shapes who we become. The choice is simple: in our core we must deliberately embrace the good, wherever it originates, placing others before ourselves, striving to help them succeed and celebrating alongside them when they do. We must stand pure in our resolve in the face of high-tech and aggressive competition and stay the course of doing what is right, getting ahead while honoring an internal code of ethics we establish for ourselves that is not conditional. What matters is we do have the power to make society, or ourselves, good if we choose to be people of integrity and honor. A CEO mentor of mine once said, "Do what is right. Do what is right for the business. Do what is right." My thoughts this week boil down to this: Search yourself and you will know what is true - embrace it and don't worry about what the "other guy" is doing. That is, as my teenage son says, NMP (not my problem). Take the high road and do what is right, always, and you will become your highest and best.

Celebration of the life of Stephen Covey

This is a time to celebrate the life and teaching of one of the most influential leadership development authors and teachers of our time, Stephen M.R. Covey. For those of us who have made the success of others our life’s work, being a continual student of human achievement is an absolute necessity. There are few people, especially in the network-marketing arena, who haven’t been impacted by at least one of Mr. Covey’s books, lectures or seminars, and his recent passing (although sad) represents what we all want—to have lived a life of significance.

As June 2012 posted a commanding 200%+ increase in Viridian rank advancements—at the Senior Director level and above—over June of last year, I reflected on this month’s numerous individual achievements, especially those of our new Viridian Platinum Partners - including Jenna Marzullo pictured with me here. In reviewing the leaders’ names that are listed on this month’s VList, I pondered all of the qualities and characteristics I have seen demonstrated over the past year and a half I have had the privilege of getting to know these entrepreneurs. It’s amazing how accurately their behaviors are reflected in Covey’s works.

What stood out to me the most was a section of the Covey classic I read years ago titled “The Speed of Trust.” Pulling the book off my library shelf, I turned to “The Four Cores of Credibility,” where I re-read the words that described to a “T” the individuals on the VList. This was in the section that said if we are aspiring to take our personal and business relationships to the next level, there are truths we should continue to cultivate throughout our lives. They are:

INTEGRITY—“The courage to act in accordance with your values and beliefs.”
INTENT—“When we genuinely care not only for ourselves for also for the people we interact with, lead or serve.”
CAPABILITIES—“The abilities we have that inspire confidence, our talents, attitudes, skill, knowledge and style.”
RESULTS—“Our track record, our performance, our getting the right things done.”

I am so grateful that this month’s rank advancers have chosen to apply their excellence here at Viridian, and continue to shine their light on all of our paths to personal, victorious living.