David Allman

3/13/2016
Good vs. Evil Speech
Intro

Although it may seem to be simpler to spot evil in the world, I think humanity itself can be
a testament to the true good in people. I do not think we could have advanced to where we are
today as a whole if we did have more evil people in the world than good. I can understand
where the notion that people may be inherently evil may come from though, as it seems that evil
stands out throughout history.
Example #1
Starting with an example from Lord of the Flies, I believe that Simon represents most
people as a whole, in the sense that he is kind to people and is willing to work toward the
greater good. In a modern society, most people are like this. People are generally helpful and
cooperative. I understand where it may be easier to see Jack and his wrongdoings and think
that it shows how people really are, but I think that what he does stems from many other things,
not just being evil.
Example #2
For my example in other literature, I choose to use the Parable of The Good Samaritan.
The story tells of a man walking from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he is robbed by a gang of
men. Stripped of his belongings and left for dead, he is discovered by a man from Samaria, a
group that the Jewish people of Israel disliked at the time for differing beliefs. The Irony in the
story is that the person who was looked down upon, was the one who ended up going out of his
way to save the man. Although it is an old story it is used as an analogy for people who choose
to help others today. This to me is another example of how people can be good. And especially
because it shows that people can get over their own treatment and still choose to help others.
Example #3
For my real world example I chose to use Albert Schweitzer, a French-German
physician, who dedicated his life to being a medical missionary in Africa. While in Europe he
was a critic of colonization in Africa and felt that people were divided into two groups of
Civilized Men and Others. He thought that those Others were treated as less than human,
and were not cared about by the civilized men. In 1913, he and his wife established the Albert
Schweitzer Hospital in northern Gabon Africa, and in a matter of months he and his wife had

already treated over 1000 patients. To me Albert Schweitzer's story shows not only that people
are inherently good, but also that they are willing to do good without receiving the fame or praise
of others. I think it also shows that many people are willing to be controversial and disliked if it
means helping those who are less fortunate.
Counter Argument
One of the most obvious examples that I could use as a counter argument would
obviously be the holocaust. In one of the most brutal genocides in the history of the earth, it is
possible that it may never be forgotten. The Holocaust brought the death of over 11 million
Jews, gypsies, homosexuals, prisoners of war, and disabled people. It is an event that we
should never forget and can be an obvious example of evil in the world.
Counter Argument Refutation
But, although as previously mentioned I do believe that the Holocaust is one of the most
blatant examples of evil in civilizations history, I think it is willfully ignorant to decide that even
something of this nature means society is inherently evil. I think that there is a good chance that
humans would have died out a long time ago if we really were all evil by default. And however
bad these things throughout history may seem, we are said to be living in one of the most
peaceful eras in the history of the earth, and I do not see that being achievable in a society
where evil is greater than good.