Nature vs. Nurture

Is empathy innate? Is it something we are born with? Something we are taught? This question came up briefly during our Out of the Silent Planet Socratic seminar this week, and inspired me to ponder it myself.
Someone mentioned that humans are biologically programmed to be selfish, that we need to think of ourselves first in order to survive. Although this is true when speaking of human relationships with other species, we are actually born with a natural motivation to help those around us survive. In essence, we are born with "selfless genes." It's simple biology: in order for a species to survive and continue to pass their DNA to the next generation, altruism must be displayed among the organisms. This is the reason one meerkat stands guard in watch for predators while his fellow companions eat. Like us, these animals are biologically programmed to help and care for one another.
So if we are born with genes that make us instinctively empathetic and selfless, why does human society so often display acts of cruelty and selfishness? The answer can be found with a quick google search. When given a choice between helping someone else and helping ourselves, we choose the one that most benefits us. If giving a homeless man a dollar on your way to work fills you with pride and happiness, odds are you're going to do it. But if you need that dollar to buy yourself lunch that day, are you still gonna give it away? Are you going to let yourself go hungry so someone else doesn't? Probably not.
Not only does biology play a role in this tug-of-war between selflessness and selfishness, but so does the way we are brought up. Some are taught to be ruthless, to "crush the competition," or "step over anyone in order to get themselves to the top." This truly seems to be the case in modern day, especially in school and work settings that are full of people desperate to earn their own success. Others, however, are taught to be charitable and compassionate. Our environment, our goals, and our own perception of society all greatly affect the way we treat one another.
To answer the initial question: yes, empathy is something most of us are born with, but it is also something we must be taught in order to act on. A corrupted society creates a corrupted person. It takes a whole lot of self-reflection and inner-peace to combat those feelings of "me, me, me." But hey, who said selfishness was always a bad thing?