I don't think it's possible for there to be good without bad. How would we know when something is good if we've never experienced the bad right? As for your second question, I think it's too broad to be answered. The debate over if something is right or wrong depends on the situation. For example, if you tell a lie for no good reason, it is considered "bad" because society places significance on telling the truth. Although, say you told a lie in order to protect someone you may feel that the lie is justified. In that case, it is your conscience, not society, that discerns good and bad. I think that overall, your own moral compass takes precdence over what the church or society says is moral or immoral. But, one could argue that your moral compass is shaped by society..... Ahh I've confused myself.
Good and bad are a product of consideration. If we say that yellow is bad, we can only say that if we have other colors to compare it to, so likewise, good must be the opposite end of the scale of bad and vice versa. Rights and wrongs are also the same and are the creation or observance of consciousness. In order to know what is good we need to know what is bad, and to know what is bad we need to have some sort of standard towards good. Certainly social norms are part of what makes up rights and wrongs, and rational law is a necessity of society. There are situations in our lives which call for our own judgement however. Ultimately it comes down to what you morally think is correct, but we are conditioned to what society has taught us. Some laws are from the legal system, others are also based on a religious point of view as well and what society seem to feel is okay, it seems that each year those laws seem to change, it isn't any wonder that we are confused:) Do I rely on my own moral compass or society; did my moral compass come from society, religion, culture or aliens?
I think morality (as expressed in our society) originates from teachings from the bible. The basics of society's moral code come from the Ten Commandments. Do not lie, cheat, steal etc. As society has advanced and become more secularized the bible's meanings have been reinterpreted. Take gay marriage for example. Those who are anti-gay marriage often rely on the argument that in the bible it says, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev 20:13. The vast majority of us, even the religious ones, see anti-gay marriage advocates as radicals because they do not take modern society into account when interpreting "God's word." I used this example to show that we rely on the bible to determine what's moral and what's not however as society advances the concept of "morality" changes.
Even though I am sorta of late on commenting on here but I agree with Bethany and Sierra that good and bad are what people preseve. I also agree that bad and good can't live without each other.
Does this mean that we can't know peace without war? It's an impossible question, since there would have to be someone who has never known "bad" for us to pose this question to--whether they understand that they are "happy," and if they are grateful for their "perfect" life. I would like to think that there is no point to have bad things in the world. However, this would also go against what Eastern relgions teach as well. Religion has to give us some answer for why there is sin/evil. This ansswer, that we wouldn't know what is good, is the easiest to buy in to. But I'm not quite buying it.
I don't think it's possible for there to be good without bad. How would we know when something is good if we've never experienced the bad right? As for your second question, I think it's too broad to be answered. The debate over if something is right or wrong depends on the situation. For example, if you tell a lie for no good reason, it is considered "bad" because society places significance on telling the truth. Although, say you told a lie in order to protect someone you may feel that the lie is justified. In that case, it is your conscience, not society, that discerns good and bad. I think that overall, your own moral compass takes precdence over what the church or society says is moral or immoral. But, one could argue that your moral compass is shaped by society.....
ReplyDeleteAhh I've confused myself.
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ReplyDeleteGood and bad are a product of consideration. If we say that yellow is bad, we can only say that if we have other colors to compare it to, so likewise, good must be the opposite end of the scale of bad and vice versa. Rights and wrongs are also the same and are the creation or observance of consciousness. In order to know what is good we need to know what is bad, and to know what is bad we need to have some sort of standard towards good. Certainly social norms are part of what makes up rights and wrongs, and rational law is a necessity of society. There are situations in our lives which call for our own judgement however. Ultimately it comes down to what you morally think is correct, but we are conditioned to what society has taught us. Some laws are from the legal system, others are also based on a religious point of view as well and what society seem to feel is okay, it seems that each year those laws seem to change, it isn't any wonder that we are confused:) Do I rely on my own moral compass or society; did my moral compass come from society, religion, culture or aliens?
ReplyDeleteBut why does society place significance on certain things over others? Where does it originate?...IT IS THE ULTIMATE QUESTION!
ReplyDeleteI think morality (as expressed in our society) originates from teachings from the bible. The basics of society's moral code come from the Ten Commandments. Do not lie, cheat, steal etc. As society has advanced and become more secularized the bible's meanings have been reinterpreted. Take gay marriage for example. Those who are anti-gay marriage often rely on the argument that in the bible it says, "You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination." Lev 20:13. The vast majority of us, even the religious ones, see anti-gay marriage advocates as radicals because they do not take modern society into account when interpreting "God's word."
DeleteI used this example to show that we rely on the bible to determine what's moral and what's not however as society advances the concept of "morality" changes.
Even though I am sorta of late on commenting on here but I agree with Bethany and Sierra that good and bad are what people preseve. I also agree that bad and good can't live without each other.
ReplyDeleteDoes this mean that we can't know peace without war? It's an impossible question, since there would have to be someone who has never known "bad" for us to pose this question to--whether they understand that they are "happy," and if they are grateful for their "perfect" life. I would like to think that there is no point to have bad things in the world. However, this would also go against what Eastern relgions teach as well. Religion has to give us some answer for why there is sin/evil. This ansswer, that we wouldn't know what is good, is the easiest to buy in to. But I'm not quite buying it.
ReplyDelete