Deriving strengh from the "dark side" of human nature?

Question

Is it justifiable / ethical?
Under what circumstances?

Can the "dark side" be embraced ?

Thanks folks.:-)

Oh excellent answers so far, and it's been only 20 mins.
Thank you for your generous output..

Answer 1

I think to know good, we have to understand evil or the dark side. To understand any emotion or many other things, we have to understand and be familiar with the extreme opposite. We would never know the true meaning of one - or true feeling of one without the other.

Now, the "dark side" is a huge term - that could include many things.. not sure which of those you are referring to but I believe in educating yourself about everything so you know what your beliefs are based on and so you understand where your strength comes from. I think that people hate or fear that which they do not or can not understnad and I think if there was a little more compassion and effort to understand life - a life different than our own, there would not be so much hatred and fear. People gain strength from several things in life, several reasons - so I believe that whatever may create strength in someone - that is used for the good - and not for evil or the wrong purposes is fine - I think we all owe it to ourselves to understand things in life - dark side included.


We all have our own morals and ethical beliefs - our own feelings of right and wrong in the word and can all defend that which we believe to be justifiable.. So - that part is really dependent on what the person who may wish to embrace this thinks is ethical, moral, and justifiable. Again, that would involve more of why they are "embracing" it - how and for what purpose. If anything is "embraced" that might harm someone or society, I do not believe that would give anyone strength... I think then, it would mean, that it actually takes away their strength and makes them weak -- or shows that they are weak to embrace something that just isn't "right" - by the understood ethics of human nature..
:o)

Answer 2

Hmmm....one of the best questions I've ever seen on here.

It seems this world has been governed by people in power who feed off the dark side of human nature. Even in this age there is slavery, starvation--unnecessary suffering, human rights abuses, on and on. The world is run by people who only know hate and division: It's profitable. Politicians have their agenda and the agenda is corrupt. Big business, politicians, etc. are all about keeping the status quo. Making a profit. The few control the many. This has been the way of things since the beginning of time...and of course it's not ethical.

On a personal level(and what i believe your question is all about. LOL), I think it depends on what is meant by "dark side." Many people live off of this side...negative emotions/intentions. What some people call evil. Many people benefit from others pain.....most people who derive strength from this darker side of human nature are after their own personal gain.

Maybe in some circumstances an act that could be considered coming from the dark side may just be a necessary act. It's all in the intentions. Is the intention to harm or help? and how would we know if we're doing either one? It's tricky.

The dark side can be embraced---HAS to be embraced if transformation is to occur.
The dark side will be embraced when those who are living in it---either in this lifetime or a million lifetimes from now---get a glimpse or have the realization that darkness is only the absence of light. In human nature it's only ignorance of our mind.

We're one in all things. Through understanding our mind we see that we are all of it: "good" "bad" "evil" "purity" etc. The realization that we all have the collective psyche of humanity since the beginning of time is the dawn at the end of many lifetimes of ignorance. We have in us the cruelty of a dictator and the kindness of a saint. Most don't see the light and dark, good and bad stuff, cuz it's buried beneath the surface level of consciousness.

Only understanding is needed. To dispel darkness you don't fight with it or curse it, you simply bring in light.....and that light is conscious awareness.

Answer 3

I love this question. Its been a long time since I seen a question like this here lol. Michael was not only immensely talented and reached superstar proportions, but he also was humble, kind, had one of the most generous hearts and had as his first and foremost desire to help people in need and to help heal people and heal the world. Michael had a heart for God and had God in his heart. All of these qualities are rare for human beings in general much less an entertainer/performer of Michael's caliber. He didn't act like other "stars. He was a true entertainer and it will be a long time till someone else is capable of influencing people around the world like he did, so honestly and consistently, so genuinely. Michael was not only a musical genius, but more importantly a good, truthful, kind and generous man. Along with many other reasons why we love Michael, the man - I also think of him as the little boy who lost his childhood, which makes the pain even worse sometimes, because he refused to let his inner child die and was crucified for it.He protected his inner child and made us feel it was our right to preserve that special place in our heart that should never grow up. It's about never losing the joy of innocence and wonder. We lost a wonderful human being when Michael died. Michael's love filled the world and his message will never be lost.

Answer 4

human nature is way too complex to be divided into a dark side and a "bright - well lighted - good" side. If you are talking about aggression strength can certainly be drawn from the fight/flight reflexes that humans are wired up with. This mobilization of body resources can be used for other than violent purposes. As for as ethical, Only behavior can be considered as ethical or non ethical the strength or motivation for the behavior is sort of irrelevant since we can never know the cause of anothers actions. We can only judge the actions themselves.

Answer 5

There is no dark side - actually.
It is just an illusion the riligious and the political leaders try to potray the other side.
There is life and there is Death.
Those who help others to prolong life by providing good company enjoyment, food shelter - are called the Good.
Those who bring death, misery to others is the Dark Side.
The Religious and the Political leaders always create the mysterious Dark Side to muster suppport.

By embracing the Dark Side Brutus sided with the senators to kill Ceasar.

Or did he terminate the Dark Side by siding with the Senator. It is up to the Romans to judge.

EnJoY

Answer 6

It is not justifiable under any circumstance.
As a matter of the act of choosing, of course the "dark side" can be embraced; you either choose it or not. We do that every day.

Those who choose strength from evil, sooner or later pay the price.
Anyway, would you rather be loved or feared?

Answer 7

Depends what you mean by 'strength'...Charity campaigns get their strength from revealing man's inhumanity (to each other, to animals), and many sports encourage wrath and anger (both pretty dark side) to spur the players on. I guess if you're tapping into the Bad Stuff for inspiration, or for a positive effect, then that's great. Just don't dwell on the dark side for too long or you'll go nuts (hippies who try to blow up factories etc)

Answer 8

Life negative aspects are never known to have created any strength. They just 'rob' the strength from a created source, like money if first created by efforts of somebody and then robbed by another.

Answer 9

What is the dark side? And why would anyone want to embrace its personification/metamorphosis?

Answer 10

A two edge sword,when hurting others we sometimes hurt our selves.