Is evil always evil?
Stating that certain characteristics of human nature do not emerge when appropriate conditions are not created, Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan expressed that "When conditions occur, these human characteristics become active. This condition is called 'epigenetics'. Epigenetics is also called the quantum of genetics and it is a very complex subject."
Stating that the concepts of good and evil are actually subjective, Prof. Tarhan said that "The environment in which a person grows up can be an environment where good intentions are glorified or evil is encouraged. If the individual makes their choices with good intentions with their free will, they can use these risky behaviors in a positive way."
President of Üsküdar University and Psychiatrist Prof. Nevzat Tarhan discussed the topic of "Is evil genetic?"
Genetics is a kind of biological program of human beings...
Stating that genetics is a kind of biological program of human beings, Prof. Nevzat Tarhan said that "Just like the software of a computer, the genetic codes of human beings determine our behavior. However, about one-third of these genetic codes do not change and are innate. This is especially important in terms of behavioral genetics. Of course, there is a lot of research on genetic change between species, but these studies show that it is not possible to switch from species to species, only genetic changes can occur within the species. However, an important point is that DNA has a perfect structure to begin with. That is, the idea of evolving from a simple structure to perfect does not apply here. In the first existence, DNA has a flawless software. Any change in the software of a nucleotide or an amino acid in DNA is extremely unlikely to occur spontaneously. Therefore, there is a paradigm shift in this area, especially behavioral genetics, contributing to this change."
Epigenetics is also called the quantum of genetics
Stating that a monkey cannot learn to behave like a human even if it stays among humans for a thousand years, but when a human is born and raised among monkeys, a human starts to behave like a monkey, Prof. Tarhan said that "Likewise, if a human grows up among dogs, one adopts their behavior. This is explained in the fields of behavioral genetics and epigenetics. Certain features of human nature do not arise when favorable conditions are not created. When the conditions are met, these human characteristics become active. This condition is called 'epigenetics'. Epigenetics is also called the quantum of genetics and it is a very complex subject."
The environment can alter genes
Noting that "Nature" is innate, that is, the characteristics we bring with our genes, and "Nurture" is the effect of the environment on our genes, Prof. Tarhan continued his remarks as follows:
"The environment can alter genes, leading to genetic polymorphism. These changes accumulate over time and are passed down from generation to generation. Some cases of the 'wild child' show that humans did not transform from animal to human through an evolutionary process, but that humans became human by developing within human knowledge and civilization. That is, a human being was born with a predisposition to build civilization. When the environment becomes favorable, genes that were silent at first become active. When these genes start working, protein production takes place. Our brain has genes that produce serotonin and dopamine. These provide hormones related to happiness and pleasure. However, genetic polymorphism occurs in some people, and when they are under stress, their brains cannot produce enough serotonin, which leads to depression. However, when these people are successful in managing stress, they may not become depressed, even though they are prone to depression. Likewise, there are genetic factors related to addiction. Dopamine is a pleasure-related neurotransmitter, and when some people lead a pleasure-oriented life, the brain experiences a constant lack of dopamine; therefore, it cannot get enough of pleasure and reward. However, if these people lead a meaning-oriented life rather than a pleasure-oriented life, they can better manage the serotonin in their brains and do not develop addiction. That is, our lifestyle can influence our genes. In terms of behavioral genetics, two-thirds of the genes involved in our personality structure are shaped by environmental influences, while only one-third are innate."
There are 12 personality types identified...
Stating that it is said that there are 12 innate personality types, Prof. Tarhan said that "Some people are introverts, while others are extroverts. Some people have high social intelligence, while others have high emotional intelligence. There are approximately 12 personality types defined. These personality types are based on an innate basic framework. However, the individual can build a building on this roof as he wishes. That is, there are columns and beams that belong to this roof, and they make up about a third of our personality. The remaining two-thirds are shaped by the individual, the environment and one’s own will. This condition is called behavioral genetics. The environment and the free will of the person determine the development of the personality. If the individual is open to self-improvement and progresses by making the right choices in concepts such as good-bad, right-wrong, one can develop their potential. Otherwise, they may survive without being able to fully use their abilities. Genetics is a tool for us, and it offers a basis for being human, but it is not genetic destiny. Just as some people say 'fate' for geography, others say this about genetics. However, it should not be accepted as genetic fate."
Genetic predispositions can be managed by a person's behavior and lifestyle
Noting that a person who carries the Alzheimer's susceptibility gene may not have Alzheimer's if one uses their brain correctly, Prof. Tarhan stated that "Likewise, an individual with a genetic predisposition to lung cancer can reduce the risk of cancer when he stays away from bad habits and lives a healthy life. However, these predisposition genes can become active depending on the person's lifestyle. Genetic predispositions, that is genetic polymorphisms, can be managed by a person's behavior and lifestyle. By positively influencing these predisposition genes, an individual can shape their personality and life. In other words, our personality structure is innate as a roof, but the structure we will build on this roof is determined by our environment and will."
It has been determined that both the individual who commits the crime and the successful scientist have a common gene
Pointing out that the question "Is there an evil gene?" has been researched by scientists for many years, Prof. Tarhan stated that "The genetic structures of individuals with antisocial personality traits, that is, people who are prone to crime, ruthless, merciless and cruel, are examined. Among these people are serial killers who commit crimes without remorse. For example, one criminal's brother may be a great scientist and do great work in the laboratory, while another may be a murderer. This is an important area of research on behavioral genetics. One of the most notable genes is the DRD2 gene, which is associated with risky behavior. It has been determined that this gene is common to both the individual who commits the crime and the successful scientist. The risky behavior gene can manifest itself in two different ways: By directing risky behaviors to crime, one satisfies reward mechanisms in the brain, such as dopamine. The other satisfies this risky behavior by working day and night in the laboratory. In other words, in both cases, the same risky behavior gene is effective, while one person uses it with good intentions and the other uses it with bad intentions."
Hyperactive individuals can also have a risky behavior gene
Stating that the concepts of good and evil are actually subjective, Prof. Tarhan expressed that "The environment in which a person grows up can be an environment where good intentions are glorified, or evil is encouraged. If the individual makes his choices with good intentions with his free will, he can use these risky behaviors in a positive way. For example, mountaineers, skydivers, or hyperactive individuals may also have this risky behavior gene. These people engage in dangerous activities in search of adrenaline. However, the same gene is present in criminally prone individuals. One person may use their radical behavior for a well-intentioned purpose, and the other may use it maliciously."
Man has free will...
Stating that human’s free will has become decisive at this point, Prof. Tarhan said that "There is no such free will in other living things. Other living things live according to their genetic code. They eat, drink, shelter, reproduce and complete their lives in this way. For example, a lion is known as one of the wildest animals, but it has a safety zone. It will not touch you unless you enter that area, or it will not attack you if it is not hungry. However, human beings are not in that way.”
It is stated that evil has become commonplace...
Stating that it is stated that evil has become commonplace, as seen in the example of Gaza, Prof. Tarhan said that "Hitler did the same thing. He had normalized evil. Hitler considered Jews, blacks, and gypsies to be parasitic races. He looked at them as damaging elements and therefore believed that they should be destroyed.”
The balance between good and evil...
"The balance between good and evil is about rewarding the good and making the bad pay a price," said Prof. Tarhan, adding that providing justice is to ensure that everything is in the place it deserves, rather than bringing equality, so the concept of evil varies according to the level of development of people.
Stating that today's modernism defines things that give pleasure as good and those that do not give pleasure as bad, Prof. Tarhan continued his remarks as follows: "Currently, Generation Z is taught in this way by the global system, social media, Hollywood and the entertainment industry. However, good and evil are not just about pleasure. The happiness of meaning is the happiness achieved by the person who pursues virtue, and it is more permanent. The person who pursues virtue obtains long-term happiness in the search for meaning. However, the seeker of pleasure constantly seeks new pleasures because pleasure is temporary. It ends and it goes in search again. For this reason, instead of the happiness of pleasure, it is necessary to aim for the happiness of meaning. The person who seeks the happiness of meaning labors, gets tired, but wins in the long run. On the other hand, the seeker of pleasure thinks that he gains in the short term but loses in the long run. Today, unfortunately, the tendency to define happiness with pleasure has become quite common. This philosophical approach leads to the avoidance of work, labor and fatigue. This leads humanity away from a benevolent direction of development and towards a malevolent path."
If the ego ideal is correct, difficulties can be turned into opportunities
Pointing out the effects of genetic and environmental factors on the development of the person, Prof. Tarhan said that "Someone who grows up in an environment where conditions are good is not the same as someone who grows up in adverse conditions. 50-100 years ago, new generations were maturing in poverty, but now there is a maturation in wealth. However, those who mature in poverty are less likely to perform bad behaviors, whereas those who mature in wealth are more likely to perform bad behaviors. This circumstance is an indicator of the influence of environmental factors on man. However, if a person who grows up in wealth learns to exhibit benevolent behaviors, it will make a difference. People who contribute to society and are praised behind their backs also emerge from such environments. Therefore, even if the individual seems to grow up in an unlucky environment, if the ego ideal is correct, he can turn those difficulties into opportunities."
Aimless people can fall under the negative effects of the environment
Stating that a smart person will not completely let themselves go with the flow, Prof. Tarhan concluded his remarks as follows: "By holding on to a log, one takes the current behind them and moves towards their goal. The fact that the environment is bad can become a force that will enable us to achieve our goal by turning it into an opportunity if we have a goal. Aimless people can be overwhelmed by the negative effects of the environment. That is why meaning and purpose program the human brain. The programming of our brain is a responsibility that is left to us from birth. This process starts with intention. Whatever your intention is, your brain programs itself accordingly. For example, you intend to get up at 4 a.m. and wake up without clocking. If you program your brain correctly, you do not have to be afraid, even if the environment is bad. Excuses such as 'my environment was not good' are ways of deceiving ourselves. Unfortunately, human beings are quite adept at self-deception. Such excuses lead to missed opportunities. Ultimately, it is our choices to choose good or bad. We can say that life is a choice, life is a choice."
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)