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Why does it seem as if so many people see the world in terms of absolute black and white. Why is there so little room from shades of grey. Perhaps the Texas politican who said "there's nothing in the middle of the road but yellow lines and dead armadillos" may have been right, but there also nothing at the extreme right and left sides of the road but ditches, dirt and mud.

2006-10-27 08:41:40 · 7 answers · asked by Rico Toasterman JPA 7 in Arts & Humanities Philosophy

7 answers

First of all, there's a difference between something being black or white only and an absolute: an absolute is always white, or always black.

Secondly, there are things which are black and white, but there are other things that have a grayscale (or many colours, like the "white" dust =D - don't ever try it). This is consistent with the Bible as well.

Third, there "are" some things that either should be white or they should be black. For example, a "squared circle" cannot possibly exist (a square with round corners is not technically a "squared circle"). It has to be either a circle or a square. A more clear example: something either exists or it doesn't exist. There is no middle point. It can exist only in the mind, but then it does exist (yeah, in the mind, but it "does").

Hope this was useful.

2006-10-27 14:49:53 · answer #1 · answered by OverClocked 2 · 0 0

the truth is that there is no black or white because everything is subjective to some degree; even with something so unthinkable as kinlling someone. we are all taught that killing is wrong, and for good reason, but has it always been that way? Im sure cavemen didnt really give a damn

the point is that everything is open to interpritation. even basic moral judgements should be made by an individual for him or herself because whats wrong to one person may not be to another.

another example of this is slavery. when our country was founded, who had any objection to slavery. we say now that it's wrong because everything is constantly changing. because the world is changing, our morals are changing. there are no absolutes.

"There are no facts, only interpretations."
-Freidrich Nietzsche

2006-10-27 16:17:16 · answer #2 · answered by Adam A 2 · 0 0

Because there ARE such things as absolutes.
1) One cannot convert 100% energy into 100% energy (law of entropy). This is an absolute.
2) Energy can neither be created nor destroyed (1st Law of thermodynamics)
3) Gravity is an absolute (irregardless of what amounts of gravity)

While many things lay in the grey, there are definitely absolutes in the universe

2006-10-27 17:44:07 · answer #3 · answered by Jose 3 · 0 0

There are only absolutes because there aren't absolutes. The very fact that absolutes aren't absolutes makes them absolute. The only truth is there is no truth. We live in a reality of balance in which each side shares equal power. If one side is thrown out of balance it is quickly straightened and the shift only happens for some purpose to extend the equality between the two, vice and virtue.

2006-10-27 16:54:25 · answer #4 · answered by weism 3 · 0 0

We were taught or conditioned to believe that everything has its opposite. When you see two opposites, it's difficult to believe that there is something in the middle.
Many a time, I hold a middle position, because I can see both sides of the coin, and I want a little bit of each.

2006-10-27 15:51:47 · answer #5 · answered by smiling_nonstop 4 · 0 0

Because it's all black and white, there is no grey area. There is good and evil. No happy mediums like people like to pretend they have.

2006-10-27 15:46:27 · answer #6 · answered by *~BETHY~* 6 · 1 1

ignorance

2006-10-27 15:48:44 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

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