Why do most people think in terms of right and wrong?

Question

Most people, I gather because of our educational system and writing tests think in terms of right and wrong.

This must cause people a lot of anxiety because people are lead to believe that there is only one right answer.

Now i am not here to challenge the entire educational systems methods because maybe I am just talking out of my a$$.

I'll give an example.

2 + 2 = 4 , right

2+ 2 = 1 , wrong... or is it?

Doesn't this mentality fore us to go to extremes of right and wrong? Couldn't there be a medium answer?

Let's look at the example again

2 apples + 2 apples = 4 , right

2 drops of water + 2 drops of water =1 bigger drop of water , not wrong

What do you think?

Sometimes things are not right nor wrong.

Answer 1

you are just too smart for this world

Answer 2

The terms right and wrong are, as you explain above, relative. Generally, the terms are based on moral codes which we have in society to make the whole social network we live in, function properly. Some things are either wrong or right, for instance, if you carry on over a red traffic light, you are defying the law which states that you ought to stop at a red light so that others on a green light may go. If you fail to do this, whether its going to cause you anxiety or not (because u might be late for an important date) you are doing something wrong. It doesnt matter who decided this law, or whether its fair or not for you to miss your appointment, the main idea is, that law is there to ensure justice and a smooth functioning of events in our everyday life. Without a right and a wrong, there'd be chaos.
There are other rights and wrongs which are, as you explained, relative, given a different angle. If your neighbour farts at you because u gave him a skew look the other day, who's more right and who's more wrong, you because you envied his nice new leather jacket? him because he knew he had baked beans and his fart was likely to be terribly potent? i'd say, as a christian, you'd both be wrong, cause its wrong to envy, and its wrong to not turn the other cheek when you're wronged. so, we could go on and on philosphizing about these things, but dont think that your cute little formula above is what justifies attacking the education system which has helped u where u are today u cheeky little monkey ;-) [teacher by profession]

Answer 3

If you think most people think in black and white in terms of morality then you are wrong. Most people blur the line and create shades of grey when it comes to morality. I do however think in black in white. What you just did with the "2 drops of water + 2 drops of water=1 bigger drop" thing is wrong, and I will prove it. Morality is black and white. Any moral qualm can be smeared and "greyed" with false logic (lies). That doesn't mean it isn't still wrong. You can justify killing by saying, they're evil, and have to die, i.e. Nazis, terrorists. But just because they commit evil doesn't mean they aren't still humans. No man is a monster, THAT would be illogical. That equation "2 drops of water+2 drops of water=1 bigger drop of water" is the same as 2(1)+2(1)=1(4), you are leaving out the numbers in the words you use, you are wrong. Think about it.

Answer 4

1 bigger drop of water, or many very small, when it drops...
and a deadly amount for an elephant and for an ant...one will die on dehydration, the other one will drown...
sorry, but you are using a very primitive example( you should have more trust in people), also mathematics have their sense 2+2=4*1...
every thing is relative, that's right...aaaaand the award goes to Einstein....

Start asking with such things, like; what is normal?

Or; Treat others as you want them to treat you, and the world will be good...um I'm an masochist, so how will, or should, i behave?

Or; ask people if they are independent... that's the biggest laugh... they will say yes, for sure.

Ask them, if anyone deleted their official identity, would they stop to exist...

king_of_hyrule; how nice for you to know the whole Black-Grey-White palette. But i love my rainbow colors, in all forms, shapes, tastes, mixed, pure, flat, 3D and on... Ask any Palestinian if Nazi's where good... who says that their truth is less true then yours? Go on, ask an Iraqi, who's terrorist.

Why we think in terms? Cause it's easier...fast food for brain.

Answer 5

Your right we do think in terms of right and wrong, but the situations you used were not good to use because MATH always has an answer. Some answers are based upon past life and morals and values. Everyone's morals, values and experiences are different. Thats why we all have our different veiws. Take homosexuality for example. Some think its ok (including me) some think it's moraly wrong. Abortion is the same thing

If you are going to use straight math like you did I see you justified your drops of water answer '1 bigger drop of water'.

Math is always concreat and not subject to justification.

Answer 6

There is a mathematical way to prove that 1+1 does NOT equal 2. I don't know it because I'm hopeless at maths.

Many classes in higher education work hard to reverse the right and wrong thinking, as it can be such a big barrier.

As children, we need to think in right and wrong because children need boundries and guidelines. As adults, most of us can handle having boundries and learning when they move and shake and when they are solid as brick. But without right and wrong, we would not have advanced as far as we have as a species.

Answer 7

mind u. i quite agree that twice 2 makes 4 is a most excellent thing;but if we are to give everything its due then twice 2 makes 5 is sometimes a most charming lil thing too.one example is when rounding is involved: 2.4 is rounded down to 2 while 2.4+2.4=4.8 which is rounded up to 5 hence 2+2=5.what do u think?? SOMETIMES THINGS ARE NOT RIGHT NOR WRONG ;) right is relative term your right thing may seem wrong to me..........not right nor wrong!

Answer 8

If I shoot you in the head for raping a little girl then its the right thing to do. If I shoot you in the head because your gay then I am wrong. There is a right and wrong answer for everything you do with the right purpose.

Answer 9

2 drop +2drop=4 times bigger drop.n thts a one big drop.dont run ur mind.its related to molecular chemistry.dont combine it with nursery standard.stop thinkin n stic to wats right..still not gettin it..in ur exan instead of True/False write Medium n u'll no y its wrong...lol

Answer 10

you are thinking too hard about nothing - 2+2 is 4, duh. 2 & 2 drops won't give you 4 because then molecular chemistry comes into play. quit being an over thinker and stick to what is right ...or wrong.

Answer 11

look at the example below:

2 Apples + 2 Apples = 0, why???

...becoz I ate them all !!!

right or wrong??