Good and Evil

[ayoub]

I believe that Good and Evil, as well as most things, are subjective. Their definitions change over time...

The only things that are not subjective are the things that everyone agrees on, like up, down, day, night, east, west, etc... The things that have no shades of grey...

A lot of people believe that Good and Evil are black and white, but they're not...

There are people who believe it is evil to eat the flesh of animals, there are those who believe it is evil to work on the Sabbath. There are others still, who believe it is good to stone women to death if they wear shoes that can be heard when they walk...

1500 years ago, first born daughters in Saudi Arabia were considered evil, and buried alive....

I think I prefer to believe that in every moment there is a choice of Right and Wrong, and I'll live that way :)

Comments

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

It seems cultures have been trying to define those concepts for generations, but I agree...they are subjective concepts. I have heard it once said that stealing is bad, and everything that could be considered sin is a form of stealing. Murder=stealing a life. Rape=stealing sense of safety. Hurting a child=stealing innocence and health.

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

What's your source for that commandment?  I don't recall it reading exactly that way.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

A copy and paste from wikipedia :)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

But stealing from the rich to feed the poor?

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

Yes, and that was taken from the Jewish Torah.  Already found it, thanks.

Here's a link on the subject, should you be interested:

Which Ten Commandments? (http://www.positiveatheism.org/crt/whichcom.htm)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Considering my knowledge (or lack thereof :P), I took that bit out and replaced it with a few other examples... Heh :D

I'd rather have a discussion on how Good and Evil is subjective than a religious one :D

Thanks for the info, Sis... I learnt something new today! :D

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

I should say that the source is pro-Atheism (which I am not), but their bible/torah quotes are accurate.

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

:D

Having them accurately displayed is very useful, for a guy like me :)

[cybersweetie.livejournal.com]

We can't live our life based upon the beliefs of others; having our own faith, our own belief in right/wrong or good/bad is what has to motivate us in this thing we call our lives.

[the-ravyn.livejournal.com]

No worries.  I think when discussing good vs. evil, one cannot help but touch on the religious aspects of the concept.

I was just curious as to where you found the text of that commandment.  I was a bit relieved to see it came from the Jewish torah, as there is only one version of that as opposed to Christian bibles, which have several dozen versions.  If you look at the comparision between the Protestant text and the Catholic text of those commandments, you can see there is quite a difference, although both groups claim to be followers of Christ.

[mighty-rontor.livejournal.com]

Good and Evil don't exist at all, but rather allude to what a given society accepts and rejects. Good & Evil are merely standards. They are ultimate poles in the globe of society. Take away society, and there are only brutal degrees of survival.

[dolorinterno.livejournal.com]

woah
they're always pickin' on us girls.... =(

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I think Don Miguel Ruiz said it best:

Humans can perceive truth with our feelings, but when we try to describe the truth, we can only tell a story that we distort with our word. The story may be true for us, but that doesn't mean it's true for anyone else

Considering translations from Hebrew, to Latin, to English, the original text has divided through the opinions of the translators, and we have the state of play as it exists today. Everybody chooses to believe their own interpretation of the original words....

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

I think your definition of good and evil depends on culture...though I do believe there is inherent good and evil that are clearly defined.

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

Stealing what? Food? Physical money? Power? The abstract concept of wealth?

Stealing is stealing. Whether you label it as good or evil depends on a lot of things, especially the cultural context.

As far as abstracts go, I don't think you can "steal" the concept of wealth. What I mean by that is, I don't think that there is this limited amount of this abstract out there for the entire world to tap into. That would mean that if I had some, I am keeping it from another just by having some. And vice versa. Now physical representations of that wealth can be stolen--bills and coin, precious metals, possessions that have a value assigned to them.

[elysiankitten.livejournal.com]

I believe everyone is inherently good. We all may have situations that threaten our kindness and love, but down inside, everyone is genuinely good. That's why people deserve several chances to make things right, not just one. Forgiveness is the answer to everything (IMHO).

Interesting post! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us :)

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

Osama is evil.

Breasts are good.

'Nuff said.

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

I think more often than not - we agree on things.

This time, I don't agree with the way you're saying this line of thinking because yeah, with each moment there is a choice.

I just can't accept the wording that there is no good and evil. To me, it sounds very ivory tower philisophically and the utilitarian in me understands that there needs to be standards otherwise - nothing matters and I refuse to live a life where nothing really matters.

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

I'm too shy for my own good...

I've been holding off because - oh, I don't know WHY but damn your comments constantly make me laugh. Your funny quips make me want to get to know you better. I'm adding you to my friends list - if you're so inclined, please feel free to add me back. I'd love to hear your thoughts on my musings. =)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I wa thinking the physical stuff :)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Well said :D

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Yep, you go it :D

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I know! Bastages!

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

What are those definitions?

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I like your way of thinking :D

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

I agree, Osama is evil, but the subjective part comes in when you wonder whether he thinks he's evil...

Breasts? I can't think of anyone who thinks they're not good!

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Your idea of right and wrong is based on your own definitions of good and evil :)

It's just interesting to observe how varied the concepts are :)

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

I don't care what he thinks. I say he's evil and what I say goes:)

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

I'm flattered, and I'd be happy to reciprocate, with 2 caveats. I ask people to read my bio, in case it matters I want it to matter right away. And, I'm having trouble keeping up with people lately, so you'll have to forgive me if I miss things here and there. Either way, I'm happy to make you smile:)

[cybersweetie.livejournal.com]

*takes bow*


thanks!

[chiropteraclan.livejournal.com]

Stealing is stealing.. That's my stance. What you put out there I believe comes back to you. If I steal from someone, somewhere along the line, someone will steal from me. That isn't based on a religion. My choice is based purely on selfishness, in that sense, lol.

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

Yes, I read your bio - was it supposed to scare me away, mister? ;) I like matter-of-fact, honest, witty people. You seem to fit the bill.

Regarding the 'mean' statement in your bio - If you're mean to me for the sake of being mean - well, I can't help that, can I? And the friendship I hope to gain from you will probably never grow. But if you're 'mean' to make me think - that I can handle.

And you won't hang on my EVERY word?! heh I'm a mother of two - please note that I am also time 'challenged' so, I say we give it a go.

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

Some people hate anyone who claims an ounce of conservatism, and anyone willing to admit to constant whining:) I just hate hearing "OMG! I didn't know you thought THAT!!!!" You're on. Pleased to meet you. I'm Ron. You can be whoever you want to be cuz I don't do background checks ;p

[uawildcatgrl.livejournal.com]

Inherent good: that which isn't tainted. Pure (such as a baby)
Inherent evil: that which thrives on others pain (such as a serial killer-torturer)

[ayoub.livejournal.com]

Good definitions :D

I can agree with them :)

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

I'm Dina - good to meet you.

I'm a connoisseur of fine whine. ;) And I have long time friends that would make certain self proclaimed conservatives look like hippies. ;)

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

Pronounced Dee'nah, or Die'nah?

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

Dee'nah

I shouldn't assume but....Ron as in....Ron....right? ;)

[donnickcottage.livejournal.com]

No, but close. It's Ruper kal' a frajilistic O ecks' pee al i doe' shus...n. But you can call me Ron if you like.

[sirenity.livejournal.com]

Oh. Ummmm....yeah - thanks!

LOL!

I actually read that slowly so I could mouth the words. Kinda fun, actually!