for all: defining good and evil?

[baric]

This question is meant for believers and atheists who frequent this site. I would like for this thread to not turn into a debate about whose positions are more correct or flawed or whatever. So no debating about what makes sense and what doesn't! There are a range of beliefs in this forum so we all know that we're not going to agree. ;) I'm just curious as to how atheists and believers distinguish between a 'good' act and an 'evil' act.

Question:
Do you believe that it is possible to distinguish between 'good' and 'evil'? And if so, how do you personally make that distinction?

Please try to be as clear as possible to keep the followup questions to a minimum.

[Inventor Of Gods]

Things that can be defined as good are generally socially acceptable within a group, while things that are defined as evil are not. I base this on the evolutionary nature of humans - their need to form tight social groups in order to survive. The "good" people are generally kind to each other, and are productive members of society, while "evil" people go against the wishes of the group. Both "good" and "evil" are not necessarily beneficial to other groups or humanity as a whole.

EDIT:I personally believe that serious usage these terms should be avoided in any situation, as they only refer to something outside one's own zone of comfort, and openly display the ignorance of the speaker.

I only use the terms when I am talking to small children and hardcore xtians because of their similar, simplistic understanding of other ideas, opinions, and cultures.

[LogicMan]

There are a range of beliefs in this forum so we all know that we're not going to agree. ;)
How is it that you accept beliefs as opposed to facts?

Question:
Do you believe that it is possible to distinguish between 'good' and 'evil'?
I know it is though I prefer the words moral or immoral as good & evil have a mystical taint

Question: how do you personally make that distinction?
How do you know water is wet? Or that fire burns?

Things that can be defined as good are generally socially acceptable within a group, while things that are defined as evil are not. I base this on the evolutionary nature of humans - their need to form tight social groups in order to survive.
Slavery of some based on skin color, as in the the beginning of the US, was "generally socially acceptable" both in a proactive and passive manner (passive refering to those who knew it was wrong but would not fight for what was right)

[Lundie]

What is good? What is evil?

They are nothing but constructs within the human mind.

In truth, there can be no good without evil, and no evil without good.

But how can we, with our limited facilities inextricably skewed in our own individual perspectives, presume that we can provide definitive answers to these two subjective absolutes?

Therefore the answer is 'no'. ;)

[Spurius Furius]

.....with our limited facilities inextricably skewed in our own individual perspectives....
What??????

[Lundie]

.....with our limited facilities inextricably skewed in our own individual perspectives....
What??????
We are way too dumb and way too narrow-minded. :D

[Spurius Furius]

.....with our limited facilities inextricably skewed in our own individual perspectives....
What??????
We are way too dumb and way too narrow-minded. :D
What a relief, I thought it was just me :)

[baric]

There are a range of beliefs in this forum so we all know that we're not going to agree. ;)
How is it that you accept beliefs as opposed to facts?
I specifically asked for opinions about good & evil, not a debate about the questions or individual interpretations. In your haste to impress us with your sophistry, you neglected to simply answer the questions. Please try again!

[Tulkas]

I dont think they failed to answer any question...Lundie provided a definitive answer about good & evil. Only 'constructs of our mind'...

In my opinion, and maybe what they were saying too: good and evil are subjective to each human mind or society that forms. Historically, evil beliefs in one society can serve as good beliefs in another. Thus, good and evil are judged only by society, and the mind viewing it. If you want how i judge good and evil, it is simple.

Good are things that benefit others, progress human life, further happiness, and act as beneficial factors to society.

Evil is just the opposite...Negative strains on the society, inhibit happiness and destroy human life.

Though, even inhibiting society or being beneficial to society can be argued. Because that society's morals are subjective as well...

[LogicMan]

your haste to impress us with your sophistry, you neglected to simply answer the questions. Please try again!
It is never my intention to create an image.
It was an attempt to lead this discussion to the inevitable conclusion. When people are not willing to dig for the facts and for those who are willing to use "Consensus" as a starting point for morals (which is contradiction).

That said I will respect your choice and create a thread for this.

[bobfritzelpuff]

Question:
Do you believe that it is possible to distinguish between 'good' and 'evil'? And if so, how do you personally make that distinction?
Nah. It's defined by culture.

ex: I assume it is 'evil' for you to kill thousands of Americans in a suicide bombing attack. However, that could be the peak of morality to an al quada (I know I spelled that wrong) radicalist.

What is evil definable by? It is only definable by an idividual- your 'evil' may be an muslims 'good.' Evil actions (for an idividual) are the ones that go against the code of ethics for that individual. Those codes are defined by culture, personal experiance, and possibly genetics.

[HMS Beagle]

Most actions are neutral.
Good actions are beneficial to others, and usually marked by selflessness.
Evil isn't the only opposite of good. Many actions are bad, but not evil: e.g., harming yourself, throwing a water balloon at a nun, playing Billy Joel records on a juke box.
But few acts are truly evil-- although those acts are all too common:
Conduct which willfully and unnecessarily causes grievous harm is evil. E.g., most murders, hate crimes, all torture.
Of the cardinal sins, only avarice is evil. Proof: Bush & Cheney, two serial 10th commandment breakers. They covet everything that isn't nailed down-- i.e., everything but Jesus.

[God, my arse]

What is good or evil mostly depends upon the culture of the person(s) viewing or hearing of the action

[faboofour]

I perceive "good" and "evil" as theological constructs. There is a logical "good"/"bad" dichotomy and a "right"/"wrong" dichotomy. But "evil" is a word with far too mucy socio-political baggage to be of any use outside of a dogmatic theological discussion.

To me, giving to the poor is "good," stealing from the poor is "bad" and killing another human being can be "right" or "wrong" depending upon the social mores and taboos of the circumstances in which I find myself.

[faboofour]

How do you know water is wet? Or that fire burns?


Changes on the molecular level, of course. Water isn't wet above or below certain temperatures, "fire" doesn't "burn" unless that which is oxidizing is combustable (otherwise it "rusts"). Don't have a clue what it has to do with the question, though.

Chemestry and philosophy are two different disciplines. Your statement makes as much sense as being asked "What's two plus two?" and responding "I'm sorry, I have a banana in my ear."

With the right delivery, it can be a pretty funny punch line, but at the wrong place at the wrong time it falls pretty dead.

[ubs]

faboofour do you beleive that there are an inalienable set of human rights (http://ravingatheists.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14461)?

[Hanevet]

This question is meant for believers and atheists who frequent this site. I would like for this thread to not turn into a debate about whose positions are more correct or flawed or whatever. So no debating about what makes sense and what doesn't! There are a range of beliefs in this forum so we all know that we're not going to agree. ;) I'm just curious as to how atheists and believers distinguish between a 'good' act and an 'evil' act.

Question:
Do you believe that it is possible to distinguish between 'good' and 'evil'? And if so, how do you personally make that distinction?

Please try to be as clear as possible to keep the followup questions to a minimum.

To me

Good = would enhance most of humanity

Evil = would harm most of humanity

[antix]

Holy Crap! Resurrected after 3 years. Jesus and his petty little "3 days" seems like kind of a pussy by comparison to this thread.

[nkb]

What is this called, necromancing?

faboofour, this thread has been dead over 3 years.

[JU Mike]

Aren't threads supposed to lock automatically if no one posts for a certain amount of time, say three years?

[JU Mike]

Holy Crap! Resurrected after 3 years. Jesus and his petty little "3 days" seems like kind of a pussy by comparison to this thread.

I was about to give the "welcome to our humble forum" speech to baric. You get that tendency when you see an unfamiliar username.

[antix]

I was about to give the "welcome to our humble forum" speech to baric. You get that tendency when you see an unfamiliar username. At first I thought the same thing with a whole slew of "newbs" as well as thinking some old timers had come back.

[calpurnpiso]

Good is integration & balance of particles working in unison in our bodies, ergo health. Evil is unbalance & disarray of our DNA creating chaos aka disease, in our bodies. No imaginary friend needed.

[Kate]

Aren't threads supposed to lock automatically if no one posts for a certain amount of time, say three years?

Well, I for one appreciate someone actually looking through more threads than just what's on today's list and starting the bazillionth thread on something.

I like the necromancing :D

[Eva]

I was about to give the "welcome to our humble forum" speech to baric. You get that tendency when you see an unfamiliar username.


dude, that's my line!
besides, i'm the only one here with permission to lie.... :angel:

[JU Mike]

Sorry Eva, but stealing is an important skill to have. I gotta practice you know. ;)

[Eva]

oh no, juju! don't tell me now you wanna b a preacher?????? :naughty:

[ILOVEJESUS]

good has to be that which results in a psitive and beneficial outcome to the person/persons/object/objects, and evil the opposite. instead of good and evil which are loaded with theological baggage, positive and negative actions might help describe what is in fact good or bad.

[faboofour]

My bad... didn't look at the date....

Damned newbies, anyway...

[faboofour]

faboofour do you beleive that there are an inalienable set of human rights (http://ravingatheists.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14461)?


Is there a "set of human rights?" Yes, of course.

Are they "inalienable?" No, of course not.