Good and Evil

Linaewen · 04-04-2003, 10:31 AM

Thanks to Baby-K for writing this:

Quote:

This has been a moral / philosophical question forever - would there be evil if good did not exist? And if the existence of evil depends on the existence of good, should we thank good for the bad in this world?

Your thoughts?

Laurelyn · 04-04-2003, 10:56 AM

You gotta know happy, you gotta know glad . . . .
'cause you're gonna know lonely and you're gonna know sad . . .
~Mary Chapin Carpenter

It's like Pandora's box. There is hope in there among the evils.

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 11:03 AM

My belief is that, God created the world, and God is Good; therefore, if Good did not exist, than nothing would, including Evil.

Insidious Rex · 04-04-2003, 03:01 PM

Ying Yang. Hot Cold. Wet Dry. In Out. You cant have one without the other to define it. Its like someone once said: "If everything was green, there would be no green."

Or its like Merlin once said: "Good and evil; there is never one without the other. " Its up to you to figure out just where in your kingdom it lies.....

Artanis · 04-04-2003, 03:58 PM

What IR said. Good has no meaning if there's no Evil.

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 05:47 PM

I disagree, but then again, that is diametrically opposed to my religion, so that's natural.

***IronParrot*** · 04-04-2003, 06:27 PM

This is all under the assumption that good and evil exist, right?

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 06:31 PM

Very good IronParrot! You're getting quicker every day!

Insidious Rex · 04-04-2003, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
I disagree, but then again, that is diametrically opposed to my religion, so that's natural.

well if only good existed then how could you define evil?

if everything was red how would you define blue?

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 06:49 PM

You wouldn't.

Lizra · 04-04-2003, 07:07 PM

What's with all the "if"!

My perception of the world must relate to me. Something pleases me or it doesn't. If it pleases me, (and I like myself

), it is good! I don't think I need "good" to see evil, or vice versa. Maybe I don't get this question!

We are constantly faced with choices, how could they all be "not" good or evil? Our perception of good and evil is always there. They cannot "not" exist. I feel like a block of concrete here, I think I need a cider!

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 07:12 PM

If you replace "perception of good and evil" with "Good and Evil" I agree pretty much with you. Though little bicycle boys for married moms is good...?

Lizra · 04-04-2003, 07:16 PM

For the record! I was not a married mom, I was a 27 year old single "swing babe".

The bicycle boy was 17, and a singer in a local punk band. ( The Zero Boys) He was a "non comformist" no job, no school, no car, you get the picture?

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 07:45 PM

That's your story, and you're sticking to it, right?

Lizra · 04-04-2003, 07:47 PM

La la la!

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 07:50 PM

Elvengirl · 04-04-2003, 08:08 PM

Well, how do you define good and evil?
I think of good as anything that is constructive and pushes more toward the better survival. Evil would be more destructive and less survival.
People have different perceptions of what is more survival and less. One could be doing something which he thinks is constructive but others may view him as being destructive and therefore "evil".
I think most all of mankind basically wants to be good and work toward the survival of this world.

Lizra · 04-04-2003, 08:13 PM

Me too! To me, good is helping others. It makes you feel good!

Gwaimir Windgem · 04-04-2003, 08:16 PM

I disagree with you there. I view mankind as tending more towards evil than towards good, though of course with good tendencies as well; just evil tendencies stronger than good. If there was no such thing as self-control, and we all just did whatever we wanted to, whatever would please us the most, the world would not be a happy place.

I define good and evil differently, but my definition is a bit complicated, and I don't really have the time (or will) to go into it right now.

BeardofPants · 04-05-2003, 12:35 AM

Well, they're both cultural constructs, aren't they? I've got a serious case of deja vu here, but I'll say it again: it's all relative.

04-04-2003, 10:56 AM	#2
Laurelyn Elf Lord Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Valinor, right next to Telperion . . . what did you expect, Michigan? Posts: 1,315	You gotta know happy, you gotta know glad . . . . 'cause you're gonna know lonely and you're gonna know sad . . . ~Mary Chapin Carpenter It's like Pandora's box. There is hope in there among the evils. __________________ The Third Age of Entmoot has begun. Angel of music, guide and guardian! Grant to me your glory! The country I eat and spend the day in is by no means the country I sleep and dream in. Define patriotism. Hold the boat, you spastic monkey! ~ Elenka

04-04-2003, 11:03 AM	#3
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	My belief is that, God created the world, and God is Good; therefore, if Good did not exist, than nothing would, including Evil. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 03:01 PM	#4
Insidious Rex Quasi Evil Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Maryland, US Posts: 4,634	Ying Yang. Hot Cold. Wet Dry. In Out. You cant have one without the other to define it. Its like someone once said: "If everything was green, there would be no green." Or its like Merlin once said: "Good and evil; there is never one without the other. " Its up to you to figure out just where in your kingdom it lies..... __________________ "People's political beliefs don't stem from the factual information they've acquired. Far more the facts people choose to believe are the product of their political beliefs." "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere."

04-04-2003, 03:58 PM	#5
Artanis Greatest Elven woman of Aman Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Having way too much fun with Fëanor's 7 Posts: 4,285	What IR said. Good has no meaning if there's no Evil. __________________ --Life is hard, and then we die.

04-04-2003, 05:47 PM	#6
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	I disagree, but then again, that is diametrically opposed to my religion, so that's natural. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 06:27 PM	#7
*IronParrot* Fowl Administrator Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Calgary or Edmonton, Canada Posts: 53,420	This is all under the assumption that good and evil exist, right? __________________ All of IronParrot's posts are guaranteed to be 100% intelligent and/or sarcastic, comprising no genetically modified content and tested on no cute furry little animals unless the SPCA is looking elsewhere. If you observe a failure to uphold this warranty, please contact a forum administrator immediately to receive a full refund on your Entmoot registration. Blog: Nick's Café Canadien

04-04-2003, 06:31 PM	#8
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	Very good IronParrot! You're getting quicker every day! __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 06:49 PM	#10
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	You wouldn't. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 07:07 PM	#11
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	What's with all the "if"! My perception of the world must relate to me. Something pleases me or it doesn't. If it pleases me, (and I like myself ), it is good! I don't think I need "good" to see evil, or vice versa. Maybe I don't get this question! We are constantly faced with choices, how could they all be "not" good or evil? Our perception of good and evil is always there. They cannot "not" exist. I feel like a block of concrete here, I think I need a cider! __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

04-04-2003, 07:12 PM	#12
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	If you replace "perception of good and evil" with "Good and Evil" I agree pretty much with you. Though little bicycle boys for married moms is good...? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 07:16 PM	#13
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	For the record! I was not a married mom, I was a 27 year old single "swing babe". The bicycle boy was 17, and a singer in a local punk band. ( The Zero Boys) He was a "non comformist" no job, no school, no car, you get the picture? __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats! Last edited by Lizra : 04-04-2003 at 07:17 PM.

04-04-2003, 07:45 PM	#14
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	That's your story, and you're sticking to it, right? __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 07:47 PM	#15
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	La la la! __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

04-04-2003, 07:50 PM	#16
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	__________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-04-2003, 08:08 PM	#17
Elvengirl Mirthful Maiden Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Rivendell Posts: 1,252	Well, how do you define good and evil? I think of good as anything that is constructive and pushes more toward the better survival. Evil would be more destructive and less survival. People have different perceptions of what is more survival and less. One could be doing something which he thinks is constructive but others may view him as being destructive and therefore "evil". I think most all of mankind basically wants to be good and work toward the survival of this world. __________________ The Elves represent, as it were, the artistic, aesthetic, and purely scientific aspects of the Humane nature raised to a higher level than is actually seen in Men.~ J.R.R. Tolkien Wanna play? www.thievesguild.com

04-04-2003, 08:13 PM	#18
Lizra Domesticated Swing Babe Join Date: May 2002 Location: Reality Posts: 5,340	Me too! To me, good is helping others. It makes you feel good! __________________ Happy Atheist Go Democrats!

04-04-2003, 08:16 PM	#19
Gwaimir Windgem Dread Mothy Lord and Halfwitted Apprentice Loremaster Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Thomas Aquinas College, Santa Paula, CA Posts: 10,820	I disagree with you there. I view mankind as tending more towards evil than towards good, though of course with good tendencies as well; just evil tendencies stronger than good. If there was no such thing as self-control, and we all just did whatever we wanted to, whatever would please us the most, the world would not be a happy place. I define good and evil differently, but my definition is a bit complicated, and I don't really have the time (or will) to go into it right now. __________________ Crux fidelis, inter omnes arbor una nobilis. Nulla talem silva profert, fronde, flore, germine. Dulce lignum, dulce clavo, dulce pondus sustinens. 'With a melon?' - Eric Idle

04-05-2003, 12:35 AM	#20
BeardofPants the Shrike Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Francisco, CA <3 Posts: 10,647	Well, they're both cultural constructs, aren't they? I've got a serious case of deja vu here, but I'll say it again: it's all relative. __________________ "Binary solo! 0000001! 00000011! 0000001! 00000011!" ~ The Humans are Dead, Flight of the Conchords

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