so the Question is: Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil? Well clearly this is an opinionated question. The two sides being: yes, one can know what is good and evil (defiantly) the other being no, it is not possible to know. Now most of this may seem like common sense, knowing wrong from right. Wrong being that which goes against the ethics and morals of a human being; Things such as stealing, killing, and abusing, etc. Good being examples of the virtues of man such as acts of charity, aiding your fellow people, and the loyalty one shows friends, etc. So simply thinking about the acts themselves it is very easy to determine good from wrong, or evil. However, there is another factor to think about: REASON. The reason can be a redeemer of the action. Now not all reasons can be a redeemer, one cannot justify the action of abusing however, If one steals food to feed their family, are they evil? If one performs acts of charity for the reason of appearance, is that person truly good? So with what I have said is it your belief or disbelief that one can know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
Those who are generally sane and treat others as they wish to be treated... they are likely doing "good". Good/evil are subjective things at times; often those who possess a superior moral barometer seek-out what is better or best for others (rather than themselves).
My good and evil in my head is very clear. People want to see the world in black and white but in truth its many shades of grey so many different ideas and thoughts and morals and life lessons. I can say without a doubt that evil is hurting someone but in some cultures they sew up girls lady parts I don't like it but too them that is normal its not evil its life, not even the girls know they just accept because that is what they know.
Yes. the evil will often pose as good, but for anyone who relies on their own thinking rather then pre digested propaganda, it is easy to know what is good and what is bad. very easy. and very clear. example: it is evil to invade/rob a nation, but it is good to help and liberate people who are being oppressed. when someone is claiming to want to do good, but has been caught lying and still doest not crawl back and out of the picture, then you know it is evil. such is our media, it is backed by evil with intentions of domination and not good.
hmm...well basically what i have heard is that "good" and "evil" are subjective terms which Differentiate according to time and place. yes i suppose that is true, but thinking in the most basic and natural way possible about good and evil, are they still subjective terms?
There is no such thing as good or evil unless one chooses to apply those terms to something. There is no law of the universe defining this. A person may apply their morals or values to a situation to base good or evil off of or they may use a religious view or a standard that society has set. These are all subjective to individual beliefs though.
For people who have no consept of humanity there is no difference - they blame others of eating animals and use it as justification to treat other humans like animals.
Yes is possible by looking at history over the past few thousands of years. The bad history is caused by evil people (this is what is always making history), the freedom and good things are almost not making history, because nothing excessive is happening. We witness lots of excesses over the past eleven years, show you that we are heading toward another bad part of history.
An example once given to me. 40 people on a bus. 39 have a seat, 1 guy has to stand and he is at the front of the bus. A lady, seated, at the front drops her newspaper and another seated man at the front gets out of his seat for a moment to pick it up and give it to her. At that moment, the 1 guy who had been standing, quickly jumps into that guys seat. At that precise time everyone on the bus as they watched it happen, (inclusive of the guy jumping into the seat) knew that the action was wrong, and was amplified by the action of retrieving the newspaper for someone, as good. Is it embedded moral code...or is it experienced social justice of reasoning able humans? Those questions would naturally lead by logic to infants/babies. Bred in the Bone video (if you can get it work off of the NYTimes link) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/09/magazine/09babies-t.html?pagewanted=all
You make some very good points. I believe it's possible to know, but not many people are able to recognize it. There's another aspect of this that you are leaving out. The thing about evil is that most of the time it disguises itself as being good. Especially in politics. For example, all of the Presidential candidates except Ron Paul are evil, and Ron Paul is good. Most of the country has been deceived by evil into believing that they are good. For example. Most people are against theiving. Well everybody knows that the adulterer Newt Gingrich theived taxpayers out of money by accepting many bribes and kickbacks. Good people that are opposed to stealing and adultery are tricked into voting for a thief. Obama has murdered thousands of innocent Pakistani children with his indiscriminate drone attacks across the border. Yet normal, good people who are opposed to murder are convinced into voting for him. The devil incarnate Rick Santorum financed Planned Parenthood and yet normal people opposed to abortion are tricked into voting for him. Mitt Romney is a liar, he flip flops constantly on his positions. Yet good people who are opposed to lying are tricked into voting for a liar. See what I mean? Evil is deceptive. Now Ron Paul supporters...even those who don't entirely understand the issues he talks about, they just support him because they like his message of freedom. These people recognize true good when they see it. They have not been deceived by evil.