Good and evil - how can it be defined?

[Louis_B]

This thread is due to another ongoing discussion about the balance of good and evil in the universe, but i've hit a wall..can they be described in absolute terms?

[Matthias]

not really. Everything is pretty subjective.




(I'd recommend this post gets moved to the ethics forum, just as a note to the mods)

[Deftil]

They can be, and sometimes are, but without completely logical justification. Personal opinions and feelings eventually come into play instead of facts.

You and I can debate whether or not 2 + 2 = 4 without ever needing to discuss opinions and feelings.

We can't debate whether or not it is ethical to kill 1 person to save 5 without eventually bringing up opinions and feelings.

There's too much subjectivity in ethics to say it's logically justifiable to define good and evil in absolute terms.

[jcl]

One might ask how you then would define good and evil.
Since I am the 'wall' as referenced in the OP I'll refrain but I'm interested in other's opinions on the subject.

[Louis_B]

Hi to JCL. I apologise that my comment offended you, i was only seeking clarity and meant no offence whatsoever. Clearly, there are some elements we are (I am) struggling to communicate adequately, and the fault, as a writer is mine. Also, on reflection, I said a child could tell the difference between good and evil, and i am sure you would concede that some can..But I also have to concede that some can't as in the tragic Bulger case.

[reconsiderate]

I've explained my perspective enough in other threads, but I can sum it up by reference to the fact that the word "evil" is "live" spelled backwards.