The answer lies in the fact that the belief that human beings are inherently good was formed under the influence of ideas asserting that this goodness is innate rather than acquired through upbringing or external circumstances.

Inherent Goodness: The Natural Purity of Children and the Role of Divi

The answer lies in the fact that the belief that human beings are inherently good was formed under the influence of ideas asserting that this goodness is innate rather than acquired through upbringing or external circumstances. Thus, according to the author, “the child is naturally good” and any manifestations of negative behavior result from coercion and punishment, which can distort the natural purity of a child’s soul. This opinion is reflected in the following quote:

"Thus, the child is naturally good. Elsewhere, Neil says more: children are wise, fair, and benevolent.

Then where do lies, theft, and hooliganism come from?

Neil’s answer—coercion and punishment. By coercing and punishing the child, the parent (or educator) uses violence. And every act of violence is accompanied by hatred! ..." (source: link txt, page: 1).

In parallel, the observation of even the most uncivilized individuals’ reactions to an innocent child—demonstrating that even a "beastly human" experiences joy when seeing an infant—further emphasizes that human nature is fundamentally underpinned by a certain primordial purity and goodness. This view is illustrated in the following excerpt:

"When any beastly human, drunkard, or lout picks up a newborn—look at the face of that villain! It transforms; he cannot help but smile, because the infant represents purity, innocence, an angelic soul that shines. Of course, there is already a seed of sin, but sin is not yet developed and has not obscured that pure soul..." (source: link txt, page: 6).

Moreover, the formation of this view of humanity was influenced by the understanding that true transformation—turning bad into good—is not accomplished by human effort alone but only through divine intervention, since "a man cannot make himself good." These are ideas in which God occupies the central role as the creator and transformer of man:

"But how can one turn him into a person who respects another person, that is, transform his crude nature so that this crudeness disappears? Only God can do that. God is the creator of man, and He frees man from sin... A person can be a villain and a robber... yet possess very good manners... But inside, what is there? Murder, fornication, envy, quarrels, condemnation, slander, hatred, anger. Like a coffin adorned with flowers and clothed in fabric, but inside—rotting flesh. So how can one change? I was born evil—how can I become good, is it possible? No, it is impossible. A man cannot make himself good..." (source: link txt, page: 7).

Thus, the key factors influencing the formation of the idea that people are inherently good were the perspectives that proclaim the innate goodness of the child and assert that any negative manifestations arise as a result of external influences and a violation of the natural course of development. Additionally, the religious understanding of God’s role in transforming humanity further reinforced the idea that man's original state is one of purity and goodness.

Supporting citation(s):
"Thus, the child is naturally good. ... Neil’s answer—coercion and punishment. ..." (source: link txt, page: 1)
"When any beastly human, drunkard, or lout picks up a newborn—... the infant represents purity, innocence, an angelic soul that shines. ..." (source: link txt, page: 6)
"But how can one turn him into a person who respects another person, ... A man cannot make himself good..." (source: link txt, page: 7)