I think the answer to both of the questions can be combined into one post because if there ARE clearly defined roles, then there is a BLACK versus a WHITE. However, if there are NO clear roles, then it starts to become a GREY matter.
I believe that clear, defined roles do not exist for ideas such as 'good' and 'evil'. Many people have stepped into either world and then come back to their starting place. For example: Hitler had planned on seeing his country become the most powerful country in the world through 'evil' actions. However, for some time, he had stepped into the 'good' side in order to advance his ultimate goal. In the end, however, Hitler and his actions were seen to be 'evil' by the whole world.
Similarly, and this happens in movies very often, a character starts out as being 'good', steps over the line a few times just to strive towards the ultimate triumph over their adversaries. In either case, there was no law that restricted a person from going outside the circle of 'good' or 'evil.
It again falls back on the topic of whether or not 'good' and 'evil' are subjected or not. What one person views as being 'evil' can be viewed as being 'good' by the person beside them. When differences like those run through 6 billion people, there is a VERY low chance that 'good' and 'evil' would have clear defined roles. It just seems unrealistic.
Sahil
Saturday, March 7, 2009
What is the nature of evil?
For lack of a simpler statement, I think 'evil' can be anything that the audience/public/society does not like. However, the idea of 'not liking something' is very broad, and encompasses several opinions of what 'evil' really is.
In everyday life, on the streets of Toronto, 'evil' is usually associated with a crime - something that can be punished by law (such as theft/assault/murder etc.) However, these are just physical actions that someone can identify as being 'evil'.
On the other side, people's values and ethics also come into the picture, and this leads to 'evil' through judgment rather than just an 'act'. The book I have chosen (The Book of Lost Things), has an 'evil' character - and he is known to be a trickster. If his actions had a physical outlook, he would be referred to as a thief or a robber, but he plays with the mind more than anything else, and as a result, he is known as a trickster. Such actions as well are considered to be 'evil'.
Some can be a mixture of both, it can have a lasting physical impact as well as a psychological impact. The events of September 11, 2001 are recognized to be 'evil', and can definitely be broken down into an event that had a physical and a psychological impact. The physical part was the crashing of the planes into the towers, and the subsequent collapse. The mind, however, was affected even more because of the countless conspiracy theories that surfaced as a result. Many blamed the faction of Al-Qaeda for the attacks; many blamed the American government; and many specifically blamed President Bush. People around the world are divided on the question "'who was behind it?".
Sahil
In everyday life, on the streets of Toronto, 'evil' is usually associated with a crime - something that can be punished by law (such as theft/assault/murder etc.) However, these are just physical actions that someone can identify as being 'evil'.
On the other side, people's values and ethics also come into the picture, and this leads to 'evil' through judgment rather than just an 'act'. The book I have chosen (The Book of Lost Things), has an 'evil' character - and he is known to be a trickster. If his actions had a physical outlook, he would be referred to as a thief or a robber, but he plays with the mind more than anything else, and as a result, he is known as a trickster. Such actions as well are considered to be 'evil'.
Some can be a mixture of both, it can have a lasting physical impact as well as a psychological impact. The events of September 11, 2001 are recognized to be 'evil', and can definitely be broken down into an event that had a physical and a psychological impact. The physical part was the crashing of the planes into the towers, and the subsequent collapse. The mind, however, was affected even more because of the countless conspiracy theories that surfaced as a result. Many blamed the faction of Al-Qaeda for the attacks; many blamed the American government; and many specifically blamed President Bush. People around the world are divided on the question "'who was behind it?".
Sahil
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
What is the nature of good?
I think the nature of something 'good' depends on the audience or society. Although there will be discussions and debates over such a topic, there are a few qualities that most societies would attach to the nature of being 'good'. A couple of examples include respect and friendliness while interacting with other people. The nature of 'good' can also include thumping the daylights out of the 'bad'. Many societies would agree that the police force of a city/region/country are 'good' because they work to prevent the 'bad' in the city/region/country.
Many people also think that something is 'good' if it does not harm them or concern them. This is found in groups of all ages and in both genders. A lot of people also depend on a "higher authority" to provide them with boundaries for 'good'. To them, something is 'good' if it accepted in the religion.
Sahil
Many people also think that something is 'good' if it does not harm them or concern them. This is found in groups of all ages and in both genders. A lot of people also depend on a "higher authority" to provide them with boundaries for 'good'. To them, something is 'good' if it accepted in the religion.
Sahil
Is it subjective or a universal truth about what constitutes “good” and “evil”?
I think it is decided individually regarding what constitutes "good" and "evil". The idea can be brought up as a country, as a country's financial / political stability can affect the country's opinion of good and evil. A national crisis such as a war can also alter the country's opinion on what is good and what is not.
The idea can also be brought up as a city, or region. The population of that particular region can decide on one thing being good, while another region decides that it is evil. It can become more specific, all the way down to an individual, and this is where the greatest differences occur. As a country, many people have the same opinion of what constitutes good and evil. However, as the number of people become less, and it becomes more specific, there are more disagreements on what constitutes good and evil. The neighbor can think of something being 'evil', while you think it is fairly 'good'. Your employee may have another opinion. Your best fried, for that matter, may have a different take on what is good and what is evil.
However, there do exist a few 'universal' truths about what is bad and what is not. Almost the whole world has experienced crime and/or war, and as a result, the world's society has deemed those actions as being evil. But, according to some, these atrocities are good, and they deliver justice. This is going back to the role religion plays on people's opinion on 'good' and 'evil'.
Sahil
The idea can also be brought up as a city, or region. The population of that particular region can decide on one thing being good, while another region decides that it is evil. It can become more specific, all the way down to an individual, and this is where the greatest differences occur. As a country, many people have the same opinion of what constitutes good and evil. However, as the number of people become less, and it becomes more specific, there are more disagreements on what constitutes good and evil. The neighbor can think of something being 'evil', while you think it is fairly 'good'. Your employee may have another opinion. Your best fried, for that matter, may have a different take on what is good and what is evil.
However, there do exist a few 'universal' truths about what is bad and what is not. Almost the whole world has experienced crime and/or war, and as a result, the world's society has deemed those actions as being evil. But, according to some, these atrocities are good, and they deliver justice. This is going back to the role religion plays on people's opinion on 'good' and 'evil'.
Sahil
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