What best characterizes the views of human nature that people are born inherently good?

The view that humans are born inherently good aligns with optimistic enlightenment, which emphasizes the belief in the fundamental goodness and potential of human beings. This perspective suggests that individuals possess an innate moral compass and a capacity for positive behavior and altruism. It reflects a hopeful outlook on humanity, often associated with Enlightenment thinkers who believed in progress, reason, and the idea that society can improve through education and moral development.

In contrast to this view, natural pessimism generally assumes that humanity is driven by selfish interests and is often skeptical about the inherent goodness of people. Existential nihilism posits that life lacks inherent meaning or value, leading to a more bleak outlook on human nature. Pragmatic realism focuses on practical considerations and often deals with the realities of human behavior without making definitive claims about inherent goodness or badness.

Therefore, optimistic enlightenment aptly characterizes the belief in the inherent goodness of human beings, aligning with a hopeful perspective on human nature and potential.