Different cultures or religious backgrounds may see newborn humans as having different natures—some view them as purely good, while others see them as sinful.
The paradoxical 'sin' of selfishness always amuses me, too. If I accuse you of the sin of being selfish, I am only upset because you will not do what I selfishly want you to do. The accusation is inherently hypocritical. Children also seem to understand this concept intuitively until they are "taught" that selfishness - ie acting rationally in your own self interest - is "bad". Children are intuitively suspicious of a person who seems to want to act against their own self interest.
Love this Warren. Brilliant.
The paradoxical 'sin' of selfishness always amuses me, too. If I accuse you of the sin of being selfish, I am only upset because you will not do what I selfishly want you to do. The accusation is inherently hypocritical. Children also seem to understand this concept intuitively until they are "taught" that selfishness - ie acting rationally in your own self interest - is "bad". Children are intuitively suspicious of a person who seems to want to act against their own self interest.