Humanity and Goodness Throughout history, in all areas of the world, there is an ongoing discussion about what it means to be a good person. Every society has different expectations and standards that it’s citizens are expected to adhere to, creating discrepancies in what the “proper” meaning of a “good” person is. Throughout different cultures, a common characteristic of a “good” person is someone that wants to help others and commits acts of a selfless nature; so, a good person is someone that lives not only for themselves, but for others, through selfless acts and the desire and drive to bear fruits of a good nature.

Good People and Good Character
If someone is to be a good person, they must first have good character. By definition, …show more content…
In 1903, G.E. Moore published Principia Ethica. In this work, he suggests, “…we could not make a proper analysis of some moral concepts such as good and bad, because they are simple properties… unique, unanalysable and indefinable, but simple [qualities] which cannot be identified with any natural object but which we recognise when we see it in things (Agulanna 143).” Recognizing and identifying something as good has to do with our intuition. Our character gives us the tools to define for ourselves what we perceive as good, and whether or not we want to replicate those …show more content…
In the Igbo language, the word “ezigbo mmadu” describes their version of a good person. “Amid the Igbo, someone is referred as ezigbo mmadu who possesses good conduct or moral fiber – qualities that are worthy of emulation by others (Agulanna 139).” In their culture, when a woman is called beautiful, she is not only beautiful for her outward appearance, but also for who she as an individual. “…the Igbo employ the word nma to denote… both ‘beauty’ and ‘goodness’ (Agulanna 142). ” A woman who is described as nma is also the Igbo good person.
In the Igbo community, the basic definition for the word “good” is that which promotes community interest and human wellbeing, so then their definition of “bad” is that which destroys community and social interest and human wellbeing. Someone who is regarded as good has three defining qualities; respect for social norms and customs, loyalty for ancestors, and good moral conduct. From a young age, the Igbo are taught that community must always come first.
…a person is only a ‘good person’…if he or she reveres the social custom or norms… what constitutes the norm of right and wrong is nothing more than social custom… a person’s actions are judged as either good or bad depending on the approval or disapproval of the community (Agulanna