Innocence
We all are born naked and completely devoid of all but what our senses tell us. From that point on everything is up for grabs and is entirely dependent on how we are raised to be, and how our needs are met.
Ignore a crying child and it will cry all the more lustily, give it a slap and it learns of violence. It's all up for grabs.
Look closely at who you are and see your upbringing.
Neutral
Babies are not born evil or good. It is the environment in which they are raised which turns them a certain way. This is true even before a baby can comprehend what is actually happening. There are studies which show infants who are raised in an environment where their parents argue, even if it is when the child is asleep, tend to be more violent when they get older. It makes sense from an evolutionary stand point for this to be true. If you live in a violent atmosphere you must be violent to survive. It then begs the question what happens when an infant is exposed to violence on media even if it is only auditory. Will it have the same effect?
I don’t know if this makes sense but here it is
people are born as innocent creatures
they do not know what the world is
they do not know bad or good
however,
this makes them very moldable
and gullible
and I believe every person is born with the world in her hands
and has the option to take it
if she was taught to
Define
Before I even try to answer the question in this challenge let me ask a question: what do we define as evil or good? How do we define evil and good? You must have those set in concrete before you can even think about trying to answer the question above.
My definition of evil is anything that isn't done with pure intentions. For example, you might do something that is a "good deed" to someone, but if you do it with selfish intentions (i.e. to make yourself look good, or because you're expecting something back in return, or because it's what's expected of you but really you don't want to do it) well then what does that make you? Good or evil?
I think there's a short period of almost innocence when a child is born, but after that it quickly becomes selfish, greedy, and maybe even angry. And also if mankind was born innocent wouldn't it - in theory - be possible for him to regain his innocence?
And for my answer as to whether man is born evil or good, look at the world and what it's like. And you sit there and see all the evil, wrong, and seemingly good (but secretly done with the wrong intentions) and then you make up your mind.
An opinion on controversial matters
As I have heard many people say, "people are born good, but only with time do they become corrupt or evil." This is, in my opinion, is the most amazing example of hope. For all of those who have said this, they see that everyone has a choice, but only the person can choose. Just to know that some accept the fact that there are both good and bad people in the world shows understanding to a deep level. In fact it's gives me hope to know that such people with open minds exist. I personally believe this. One can only take so much of good or bad until they get pushed to the point of madness or curiosity, but it is at that time when they have the opportunity to become more or less of what they are at the current time. Only they themselves can take control and become something much greater that is strived for by many.