What Varies Among Humans vs. What Is Universally True
What naturally varies across humanity versus what is true about everyone?
ChatGPT: This is one of those deep, fundamental questions that doesn’t have a clean answer, but I’ll break it down into two categories:
What Naturally Varies Across Humanity
Personality & Temperament – Some people are naturally more introverted, others more extroverted; some are highly conscientious, others more spontaneous.
Cognitive Styles – Differences in thinking patterns, from highly analytical to deeply intuitive, visual versus verbal processing, etc.
Emotional Responsiveness – Some people feel emotions intensely and frequently, while others have a more muted or even-keeled emotional life.
Sensory Perception & Sensitivity – People process sights, sounds, and bodily sensations differently, sometimes to an extreme degree (e.g., synesthesia, high pain tolerance, sensory processing disorders).
Values & Motivations – What drives one person (achievement, connection, security) may mean little to another.
Physical & Genetic Traits – Height, metabolism, immune system function, aging patterns, etc.
Sexual Orientation & Desire – Sexual attraction (or lack thereof), libido, and relationship structures vary widely.
Worldview & Belief Systems – Culture, upbringing, and personal experience shape beliefs about life, morality, and existence.
Coping Mechanisms & Defense Strategies – Some shut down under stress, others fight, flee, or rationalize.
Memory & Attention – Some retain information easily, others struggle with recall, some hyperfocus, others can’t stay on one thought for long.
What’s True About Everyone
Embodiment – No one exists without a body. Everyone’s mental experience is mediated by physical sensations, even if they’re disconnected from them.
Mortality – Every single person will die.
Change – No one stays exactly the same. Experiences, relationships, and physical states shift over time.
Limited Control – No one has total control over their life, body, or thoughts. Even the most disciplined person is subject to unconscious processes, aging, and external forces.
Subjectivity – Everyone sees the world through their own unique perspective, shaped by experience. No one has absolute, direct access to reality.
Interdependence – No one exists in total isolation; human life depends on others for survival (from birth through adulthood).
Capacity for Suffering & Pleasure – Everyone experiences some form of suffering and pleasure, though the triggers and intensity vary.
Social & Emotional Wiring – Even highly independent people have nervous systems built for social interaction, attachment, and connection.
Cognition & Emotion Are Linked – Thoughts influence emotions, and emotions influence thoughts. No one is purely rational or purely emotional.
Existence of an Unconscious Mind – Everyone has mental processes they are unaware of, whether in the form of biases, suppressed memories, or instinctual reactions.
How should I judge a person?
It depends on what you mean by "judge." Are you asking how to assess someone’s character, how to decide whether to trust or invest in someone, or whether it's okay to form judgments at all?
If you're asking how to evaluate a person in a way that's fair and useful, I'd suggest considering:
1. What They Consistently Do vs. What They Say
Words are easy; actions show values, priorities, and character.
Look at patterns over time rather than isolated incidents.
2. How They Handle Power & Responsibility
Do they take responsibility for their mistakes or deflect blame?
How do they treat people who have no power over them?
Do they manipulate or pressure others to get what they want?
3. How They Handle Discomfort & Conflict
Do they lash out, avoid, or engage thoughtfully?
Are they open to feedback, or do they get defensive?
Do they hold grudges, retaliate, or genuinely seek resolution?
4. Their Level of Self-Awareness & Growth
Can they recognize their own flaws?
Are they capable of change and learning?
Do they take responsibility for how they impact others?
5. How They Make You Feel Over Time
Do you feel safe, respected, and heard?
Do you leave interactions drained or energized?
Do they make you doubt yourself or your worth?
6. Are They Acting in Good Faith?
Are they trying their best to be honest and fair, even if imperfect?
Do they care about the impact of their actions on others?
Are they willing to acknowledge when they’ve caused harm?
What to Be Cautious About:
Quick, shallow judgments based on limited context.
Judging someone for struggling rather than how they handle it.
Assuming that your perspective is objective reality.
Final Thought:
You will judge people—it’s part of being human. The key is to do it with awareness and humility. Recognize your own biases, stay open to new information, and make distinctions between moral failings, personal differences, and simply not liking someone.
Is it really important to "be" a good person?
It depends on what you mean by "be a good person." Do you mean living up to some moral ideal? Being perceived as good? Acting in a way that aligns with your values?
If You Mean Living Up to a Moral Ideal
There’s no universal moral scorecard, and no one is purely "good" or "bad." Morality is complex, culturally influenced, and full of contradictions. Trying to "be good" in an abstract, self-imposed way can become a guilt trap or an identity performance rather than something meaningful.
If You Mean Being Perceived as Good
People-pleasing or trying to control how others see you isn't the same as being a person of integrity. Chasing approval can lead to performative morality rather than actual care for others. Plus, no matter what you do, someone will think you’re "wrong" or "bad."
If You Mean Acting in a Way That Aligns With Your Values
This is the most practical version. Instead of chasing an abstract "good person" identity, you define what matters to you (kindness, honesty, fairness, whatever) and live in a way that reflects those values as best you can. It’s not about being perfect, just about being intentional.
Does It Matter?
It depends on your goals. If you want to live in a way that minimizes regret and fosters meaningful relationships, integrity matters. If you want to navigate life selfishly without concern for others, then “being good” may not be a priority for you—but that choice comes with its own costs (loneliness, mistrust, existential dread, etc.).
The real question might be: What kind of person do you want to be, and why?
So living selfishly isn't bad? It just has its own costs? Is there anyone who is actually bad then?
It depends on how you define "bad." If you mean evil, like a comic book villain, that’s rare. But if you mean people who are deeply harmful, manipulative, or indifferent to others' suffering, then yes—those people exist.
1. Is Living Selfishly “Bad”?
It’s not automatically bad; it just depends on how you’re selfish.
Healthy Selfishness → Setting boundaries, prioritizing your well-being, saying no to things that drain you. This isn’t “bad”; it’s necessary for a balanced life.
Destructive Selfishness → Exploiting, lying, manipulating, or harming others for personal gain without care for the consequences. This leads to suffering—yours and others'.
People who live selfishly may get away with it in some ways, but they also tend to have shallow relationships, lack trust, and feel existential emptiness. The cost is often internal.
2. Is Anyone Actually “Bad”?
Some people consistently cause harm, deceive, or abuse others without remorse. They:
Exploit vulnerability
Manipulate for personal gain
Have no empathy for those they hurt
Enjoy control over others
People like serial abusers, certain cult leaders, and remorseless manipulators are as close to objectively bad as it gets. But most people are a mix of good and bad impulses, shaped by their experiences, trauma, and choices.
3. Where’s the Line?
Rather than labeling someone as "bad," it’s often more useful to ask:
Do they take responsibility for harm they cause?
Do they care about anyone beyond themselves?
Are they willing to change when faced with the consequences of their actions?
If someone repeatedly refuses to change or acknowledge their harm, practically speaking, they’re a bad person to be around, even if philosophically we can debate whether they’re “bad” at their core.
So, living selfishly isn’t inherently evil, but causing harm without remorse makes someone dangerous.
