Good vs Evil

[princesstaco]

In today's society, especially in religious contexts, people are often referred to as being good or evil. Mother Theresa = Good. Hitler = Evil. But what exactly makes a person good or evil? Obviously everyone can rattle off a few people that are considered good or bad by a significant portion of the population (as I just did) but what about the common person? What qualities do you think someone 'good' should hold? When is someone 'bad' rather than having a few bad habits?

[Chamcham Trigger]

"Evil always wins, because good is dumb."
Find the quote and get a cookie.

[Tsukiyomi]

"Evil always wins, because good is dumb."
Find the quote and get a cookie.

Spaceballs, thats an easy one.

As for the topic, everyone has their own definitions of good and evil.

My definition is your good if you care about others (even if only one person) more than about yourself, and evil if you willingly harm others or don't care when anyone else is hurt.

Otherwise you're neutral in my book.

[CrazyMoronX]

By Tsukiyomi's definition, I guess I'm a pretty evil guy. I generally don't consider the feelings of those around me... but I mean, you know, I also care about other people, to a degree, maybe I'm neutral.

Anyway, evil is a pretty loose term, it can apply to a lot of people really. For me, I find everyone has a little evil in them, and I won't even say why. I will however, admit to being fairly conservative when it comes to the definition of evil.

[Tsukiyomi]

My definition is a very basic rendition, in order to account for all possible scenarios I would have to exceed the maximum length for a post 40 times over, in the end its a judgement call, and your standards might change over time and thats o.

[Danny Lilithborne]

"Good" and "evil", as mutually exclusive words, are power constructs created to maintain the status quo. I don't believe in them.

You can bend their definitions easily. I could use logic to convincingly state why Mother Theresa was evil and Adolf Hitler was good.

[Lucifer]

I'm Evil, I love Lilith. she make to evil peoples... heh... jk... actually, I'm neutral.

"The function of wisdom is to discriminate between good and evil."

[rimpelcut]

The one that is good, does only the right thing, the thing that disturbes the least. Or he doesn't do anything. The one that is good takes good care of his body and keeps his thoughts in order.
He who is bad opposes everything, even his own nature.

[Jade Von Mémeth]

I don't believe in these notions (God and evil). Our point of view influences our judgement. But there is nothing which is good or bad by nature. I believe that we must just testify to our own justice.

[olaf]

In today's society, especially in religious contexts, people are often referred to as being good or evil. Mother Theresa = Good. Hitler = Evil. But what exactly makes a person good or evil? Obviously everyone can rattle off a few people that are considered good or bad by a significant portion of the population (as I just did) but what about the common person? What qualities do you think someone 'good' should hold? When is someone 'bad' rather than having a few bad habits?

U started with pretty serious things. I'll write what I think bout good vs evil if U give me definiton of 'big' (or 'small'). But think carefully cuz it's not as simple as U may think.

[kuromoku]

good or evil is something hard to describe , because everyone has their own defenition about it and those defenitions maybe the cause of everyone to be good or evil.

[Samurai Mugen]

Good and evil is such a comman misconception. There is no good or evil. there are gray areas. The best description I can give in this place is Gaara, He was 'evil' and killed others, and only cared about himself.

* First of all. Killing doesnt make someone a bad person. 'The Killing Sword' dictates that you may kill one evil man to save hundreds of innocent people. It's the reason behind the killing. Gaara killed people who were in the way of his goal. His goal could have been positive and it would be ok, but it was to kill everybody, and that doesnt benefit the whole human race. So naturally, it's a wrong reason.

* Secondly, Gaara changed and started to help later on. So he was no longer considered 'evil'. Because of the actions that he chose he was labeled either 'good' or 'bad'.

So in conclusion, it's their acts that make the person. A person cannot be born evil or good. Nor can a person be evil or good. People do things acording to their views, and their views where written by their personality. And their personality was written by their experiances. Good or bad the person is always doing what they think is right. so it's all in whoever is viewing their actions that labels them. I don't think you need anymore examples.

[kuromoku]

so you meant that there is actually no good and evil at all , Samurai Mugen ?

[memback]

:) :cool "Good" and "evil", as mutually exclusive words, are power constructs created to maintain the status quo. I don't believe in them.

You can bend their definitions easily. I could use logic to convincingly state why Mother Theresa was evil and Adolf Hitler was good.

Well to me all comes down to the yin an yang of it all, You cant have one with out the other. So what makes a person evil or good dosnt mater, just know that they both exhist and hope they stay balanced.:mad :)

[kuromoku]

to memback : hei do you practice tai chi?

[sasuke_limays]

of course yes
he from chinese

[Zhongda]

i would classify any ignorant person that does somthing which will effect either u or society negativley without even knowing it as stupid.
But the people who do know that what theyr doing is wrong and keep on doing it.. those are who i would consider evil!

[kuromoku]

Eh how do you know? ha tell me quickly right now :)

[sasuke_limays]

let me tell you how........

[kuromoku]

how, how, how c`mon tell me quickly.....

[sasuke_limays]

what do you want to know

[kuromoku]

I want to know how you know and how to know how you know [can you even say this stuff] :)

[sasuke_limays]

yezzz of course
u want to know
let me tell u

[kuromoku]

then just tell me already you`re using the space you know :)

[rimpelcut]

tell me too man. and tell my burger.

[rimpelcut]

he is so anxious to know, I have to restrain him. I CAN'T HOLD HIM ANY LONGER MAN! TEEEELL HIM!!!!

[memback]

of course yes
he from chinese

No I dont practice Tai Chi.:mad
No Im Not From CHINESE Im From COLORADO,USA:mad

I practice MUAY THAI:tem

Which is What kind of Fighter Joe Higashi Is.
k? ok

[Lord Yu]

Good and and evil are human concepts. I choose not to look at life that way. But rather how certain events may effect the overall world's balance. There is such a thing as necessary evil.

[kuromoku]

No I dont practice Tai Chi.:mad
No Im Not From CHINESE Im From COLORADO,USA:mad

I practice MUAY THAI:tem

Which is What kind of Fighter Joe Higashi Is.
k? ok

Forgive her dude she does not know you . please accept my appology on her behalf and tell the other guy that if his burger doesnt sit tight i will eat him :)

[sasuke_limays]

hey,i am a man not a girl
please change the words she in your message
OR...........

[Nybarius]

You can bend their definitions easily. I could use logic to convincingly state why Mother Theresa was evil and Adolf Hitler was good.

Actually Mother Theresa WAS evil.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/185984054X/102-0522146-3684937?v=glance

[sasuke_limays]

sooo evil.......
waa....so scary

[kuromoku]

heh heh heh . sorry dude i thought you were a girl and this is the third mistakes
for this week . man i am so ashame of my self

[sasuke_limays]

of course!!!!
you always makes mistake......

[ten sa zangetsu]

I don't think there is good or evil. The person who is doing evil might be thinking he/she is doing good, although I don't think it works the other way around (good person thinks he/she is doing bad).

[Chimmy]

It would be nice too think good rules all but it doesnt. Evil is king we love evil in many forms the only reason some(some not all) people preach peace and love is because there scared and that the same fear creates more evil in the form of hatred, discrimination and other thing(but thats another story) . Although when people think evil they start too think of the word associated with big things and forget the small evil things we do day to day.

I mean I know 2/10 people will read the first paragraph and think of a good way defeat my argument and the other 8 will think of a good way to make fun of me(wiether its my grammar, my point of view or whatever). Insults are slight evil but because what there trying too acomplish, negitive emotions in others, there a perfect example of our enjoyment of negativity.

We like too watch negitivity in all forms and beacuse we can enjoy that we are infact evil not pure evil but evil on a more casual level then we think. Simply put evil is easy and readily avalable in day too day life and like anything easy majority of people will flock too it.

[ten sa zangetsu]

I think there was a quote by Walker Percy, it said, "In this world, good was meant to be defeated." I guess that sort of supports your first paragraph Chimmy.

[kuromoku]

what do you mean i always makes mistakes , you want to have a knuckle sandwich aren`t you limays ? :)

[Edgecrusher]

No matter how cruel someone seems, there's kindness in them. The same goes for *nice* people; they can easily become hypocrites. There's both in everybody; it's just that everybody has a different balance of these moral "substances".

And kuromoku, give him a knuckle sammich :tem much tastier!

[Kasumi 霞]

Good is those who have the best intentions for other people and trying to protect as many as you can to get to a brighter future. Evil is for those who have the best intentions for themselves and possibly the future even if it meant sacrificing many many many lives.

[kuromoku]

that is so noble , here read this....

white is clean,
black is dirty;
why is there good and evil;
because of humans really are.

:) noble is sacrifice.

[sasuke_limays]

yes...
if you can, baby.....
you still crying now

[sasuke_limays]

that why
god make heaven and hell
heaven for good and hell for evil
is it right

[Edgecrusher]

No one is without sin yet completely wrapped in it. When heaven-bound souls reach their destination, their sins are forgiven. When hell-bound souls reach their destination, their rightness vanishes.

[kuromoku]

huh.......... who told that stuff?

lava is hot,
water is cool;
you think you right;
but i don`t think so.

:) evil is cool.

[vj01]

evil and good are all thought by people it all depends on u if u belive you are good then u r and if u belive that u r evil then you r and also good and evil are in the eyes of the beholder you may thyink that you are doing good while otheres may think u are doing bad good and evil can not be dertemined by fate but by u and the people around u

lol

[sasuke_limays]

we must think that we are evil...........
so we must control ourself from making the bad things..........

[RAGING BONER]

good and evil are simply a matter of perspective and/or perception.

its all in our mind. how we were raised/programmed, what culture, religion, ethnicity and any other garbage pumped into us from the moment they yank us from our mothers crotch. THATS what determines what we think of as good or evil.

[vj01]

good and evil is just not fate you have a choice in what you want as soon as you are a kid you have a choice on what you want to be and when you get older you can change that by what your actions are and how you feel

[kuromoku]

good is evil...........
but.............
evil is good...........

:) just kidding everybody.

[vj01]

that why it depends on you and ur own opion dont be drawn into othere peple opion

lol

[David10000]

I believe ten sa zangetsu is right in some ways. First I do agree that almost all people when doing something’s believe it is good. It may just be good for him or he may believe that his idea is good for all mankind. Hitler believed that what he was doing was good. Mankind believed that Slavery was good for all. They believed it was good since the Roman times and has only been evil for less then 200 years. So what is good or evil? I believe there are 3 major types. First good and evil is based on belief. God say this is good and this is evil. A few examples are Islam eating pork is evil, Hinduism eating beef is evil, Christianity working on Sunday is evil, Judaism working on Saturday is evil, and to a Mormon and to drink booze is to be evil. Second good and evil can be based on what society bases it on. What 95-99% of the population believes is evil. This is a changing form. What someone does maybe good one day and then evil the next. A simple example is the constitutional amendment banning booze and then the removal of that constitutional amendment which legalized booze. Another example is the mass genocide of the native Americans was concerted good in the early 1600’s the early to mid 1900’s, while it was evil for Hitler to commit genocide during WW2. If he had won are morality would be different form it is now. Finally good and evil is what a person has been taught and experienced in life. There are white supremacies who believe that all other races are evil, which has been taught or and what they have generalized through experience. I believe that all three have formed our beliefs in what is good and evil. Parents, teachers, friends and sometimes solicitors have taught us religious beliefs, Government laws and through the teaching of experiences of are friends and strangers all of are beliefs in good and evil are formed. So this is what I believe good and evil is. Personally I believe the purpose of life is to be happy. I believe good is trying to be happy while doing as little as possible to harm someone else’s happiness and if at all possible help some be happy. Evil is someone who harms someone’s happiness for his own happiness. Hope this was helpful and tell me what you think.

[kuromoku]

peh............... so long and understanding you were.

[hesd]

Otherwise you're neutral in my book.

Don't you think that being neutral is similar to making a stand? Being neutral means the perpetuation of the status quo (whatever the SQ is in a particular time frame). That's the decision of a supposedly neutral person. Anyway, being good and being evil is something very subjective. Their definition also vary across culture. This is relativism, of course (and I believe that this principle is one of the sources of problems..see the thread on "what's wrong with the world"). What is good is what God commands. What He prohibits that which is bad. That's basically it. Oh phuleeze don't debate me in this regard. We're going circular..round and round.. I can clearly forsee.

[Darth Judicar]

Wow, very interesting topic. These last two years, for reasons I don't know, I've been questioning these aspects of good and evil. I mean, I think of it constantly, and I haven't a clue what struck my interest in it. What I do know about good and evil is, regardless of what others think, depends on the view. It reminds me of a quote stated in Revenge of the Sith, "Good is a point of view", and I think the same can be said about evil.

I may do something that you consider evil, but another person may see it as neutral or even good for that matter. In addition, I may do something that I feel as justified and not evil while you see it as evil. It all boils down to opinion, as you have a opinion as do I. That leads me to ask is there a clear definition of evil and good? Everyone has their views after all, so who can we be to say that something is evil or good just like that?

Some may even view a person arrogant just for thinking an action is good or evil because they think that person feels their view is law. Again, it all comes down to views. I think another part that comes down how we view these things is our experiences obviously. After all, that's how we shape a lot of our opinions and personality, through the experiences we've been through. To fully understand one's actions, I think experiencing them for ourselves would be the ultimate way to the whole story.

The way I'm relating to this to Good and Evil is if we understand where a person is coming from, their action of good or evil may come into a more understanding light. Going through all of this, you really do have to wonder if we can classify an evil act from a good act, as everyone believes different things. An example could be those bombers out there, blowing up buses, buildings, and such. To a lot of the general public, they see these people as evil people. I don't think that's fair though, as not all people do what they do for the same reasons.

Some of these people have been deceived by a lie, have been trained since birth to be who they are, and have been told what they are doing is justified and right, that they shouldn't be afraid or ashamed for what they're about to do. You can't necessarily label these people evil if that's the case, as they don't realize what they're doing is wrong as they've been deceived by a lie and they honestly feel they're doing the right thing. This too is an example of views. They view it as good, while others view it as plain acts of evil while labeling them evil as well.

This is why I feel the aspects of Good vs. Evil are such critical aspects to life and self. It's important to know there are multiple views throughout the world and just because you see something as evil or good, doesn't make it absolute, as others have their views as well. Some may not choose to accept my view on the subject, but it's what I've come to. As I said earlier though, it's a constant subject that's been on my mind the last two years and I may yet come to some other ideas on it.

[vj01]

good and evil are just words it will only mean something when it is up to you

[datchapin]

Well I think good and evil are just labels, I guess they help us categorize each other. Honestly though our definitions of good and evil vary so much they make each other obsolete, just like right and wrong I think theyre just labels cuz you slap em on whatever and then thats that. Say for instance someone has an abortion I could slap that action as bad and come up with reasons for what I said or slap that action as good and have some reasons its all perspective I think. You cant get a concrete answer cuz they vary so much, sux dont it. lol. well thas my 2 pennies.

[AssFace]

Good is what's accepted in an established society. Evil is anything that threatens or opposes it's belief.

That's all there is to it. In one culture, one man may be called evil for killing another man, but in another he may be praised for it. Technically all good and evil means in my mind is that:

Good=Well behaved
Evil=Rebellious

[vj01]

how ever it is up to you wat you think is good and wat is evil to someone your action mybe evil but to others it may be good

[sasuke_limays]

why haaa...
all of you wrote soooooo long sentences

[Avenger2112]

good vs. evil................yep evil wins.

[rimpelcut]

good will win because evil will destroy itself.

[Knight of Fate]

Evil will win....theres more evil things then goods things that we do in our life ( not actually evil but just bad things)

[rimpelcut]

yeah and why do we do them? to do good, to feel good. eventually everyone settles down and becomes more wise.

[Rockreaper]

Good and evil is simply a matter of perspective. You can view someone as good, but at the same time you can view someone else as evil. Others might have the completely opposite definition of it. Hitler, we believe is evil because we believe what he did was wrong while others thought in a completely opposite way, Mother Theresa we view as good, but there are others who might view her as bad. It's that same with America, some view us as good others as bad. All in all, it's a matter of perspective and your point of view.

[rimpelcut]

since everyone wants to be alright and to get that you have to do good you could say that everybody is good only his actions were wrong. You see with your intellect you can find the way whitch will fullfil it's purpose without drawbacks. If a person does something whitch hurt someone you could say that thing that was done was bad but the intention of that person was good. Also the person that experiences bad can solve the problem and if he succeeds in the end the thing will go back to the origional starter of the shit. Therefore with all the things that react back there is a saying: a wise man does everything by doing nothing. anyway only the actions of the person might seem bad or a pain in the but but the person itself wants to do good therefore he is good. Even if a person has become a crazy hating person he still wanted good in the beginning but he could not solve the problems in the world and decided to do it differently in a stupid way.

[Sorian]

You can't describe what's good and what's evil. You have to take each individual person and see what s/he does to classify someone as good or evil.

[dale2]

Good and evil is simply a matter of perspective. You can view someone as good, but at the same time you can view someone else as evil. Others might have the completely opposite definition of it. Hitler, we believe is evil because we believe what he did was wrong while others thought in a completely opposite way, Mother Theresa we view as good, but there are others who might view her as bad. It's that same with America, some view us as good others as bad. All in all, it's a matter of perspective and your point of view.

Exactly, its all relative.

You view different actions and ways of looking at the world as good or evil and rate people according to these beliefs. Anyone can be good or evil depending on who is judging their actions

[Cleis]

as they say....."Good will always prevail"

[Vegeta6163]

To pretty much repeat what some of you have said.
Good and evil are only acertained through ones own perception. Most "evil" people are doing what they think is right which is why they can usually get followers because they believe the same thing or along those lines. Someone is only deemed evil or good by the society thats judging them.
There will always be a difference in veiws thus one side thinks the other is evil and themselves good.
Its impossible to define ultimate good or evil actions for everyone only what you yourself deem as evil or good.

[rimpelcut]

You can't describe what's good and what's evil. You have to take each individual person and see what s/he does to classify someone as good or evil.

No people are always good, their actions might seem wrong from someones perspection or right and the person that did it might think it's wrong but he is not evil.

[Rockreaper]

No people are always good, their actions might seem wrong from someones perspection or right and the person that did it might think it's wrong but he is not evil.


Exactly. It's all perspective.

[rimpelcut]

exactly.
----------------

[AssFace]

^So...Jeffrey Dahmer, Hitler, Mao Zedong, and Stahlin were all good people??

[rimpelcut]

yes. Who are you to judge. If you get do something insensative to your parents or whatever you are just as "evil" as Mao Zedong and stalin

[Rockreaper]

Plus, weren't there those who thought of them as good? I honestly don't know, but i'm guessing there had to have been.

[vanh]

to some extent evil wins. But in the end good wins :woo

[Rotc Girl]

What are good and evil but the conception of a select few who decide for us? It is our choice to accept these conceptions, or we can break free and make our own choices in reguards to good and evil.

[Chaos Saiyajin]

I'd say good, but it seems that evil prevails in our world...:amuse Though, if I were a Jedi, I definately be evil. Capes kick ass!

[Kush P]

Good side wins straight up. Or else we wouldnt exist how we are today...I observed that whenver evil and negative things starts to oppress and out-balance the good, its only takes a matter of time for good to bounce back and set things right again

[GOD'S BITCH]

Someone who is good benefits society where as an evil person's goal is to destroy society's ideals.

[Zed Of Blades]

evil all the way, it's not like how a story ends with good always winning.

[rimpelcut]

it may seem that evil prevails but because that person does evil he lives on a gross level.

[Razgriez]

Someone who is good benefits society where as an evil person's goal is to destroy society's ideals.

I think a lot of societies ideals are in dire need of change.

Just cause the masses believes in it doesnt mean its necessarily morally good or even benefits them.

[Zed Of Blades]

Someone who is good benefits society where as an evil person's goal is to destroy society's ideals.wot if u just wanna rule over the society?

[AssFace]

umm, people are born neutral. They grow up following what people teach them, good or evil. That's what I believe. You can probably teach a kid to kill somone without feeling any remorse.

I don't think good always prevail, look at society today. Drug abuse rate is at an all time high, weapons are easily available. Communism has taken over 60% of the land. Morality is at an all time low, church attendence is at an all time low. It's just that good is always the most noticable to the people who live withiin it it's hard for them to see too much out of the light.

[rimpelcut]

good and evil in terms of emotions does not exist. It is your illusion.
Going against nature is true evil because it kills you and the rest:D.

[sharingan_clan213]

People who harm others are teh bad guys. Those who are good are thos who help. I dont consider myself as a good guy or a bad guy. Im somewhere in teh middle. My life gave me a path where i do things that are the best for me. I think if u harm anyone is a way, emotionally or financially, then u are a bad guy. I also hope that good wil win even thought winning the evil wil be hard.

[Moritsune]

no idea, good and evil are really relative terms. like myself, i've been called both, but ah well, doesn't make either more true than the other

[Ecnafoo]

I dont belive good or evil even exist. Its all just you point of view or paradigm.*sigh*

[~ Masamune ~]

No one wins, as the two are necessary for each being

[Chairman]

Well sometimes it would be nice if "evil" wins for a change... It's just that all depends on the perspective. If the main character really are evil you don't think so anyway cause "he had a bad childhood" or whatever. It would be interesting with a story with an evil main character who can be evil without just cause XP

[General Shino]

There is no good or evil, thier is a winning side, and a losing side...thats all

[sasuke_limays]

but you must try to be the winner..

[BlueBleach]

No one wins, as the two are necessary for each being
I agree with Xenmas cause although ppl can say they r good or evil,1 can't exist without the other or else it can't b defined.But i also think that 90% of the time,there is no good or evil,just a difference in point of view

[faithangel]

a good people is usually have a good heart....
their cloth is cool to..

a bad always say bad things..

[BlueBleach]

ppl r usually born neutral but i rate that ur circumstances r wat determines how u think or feel bout certain events and stuff and i think that that is wat cr8s a clash of ppls point of view