What determines good and evil and is it always correct?

Answer 1

Man ultimately determines good from evil. But you should also ask yourself ... "Where did the original idea of GOOD and EVIL really come from?" Again it all hinges on an idea. The question is whose idea and how was it instituted?

Answer 2

You may like a book entitled "The science of good & evil, why people cheat, gossip, care, share, and follow the golden rule." It's author is a skeptic and its' main claim is that there is no absolute good or evil.

I would have to counter the author's premise with the observation that for all practical purposes there is an absolute good and evil. It lies in the sum total of what all the human race believes to be good and believes to be evil. For example: to kill another human is absolutely evil because it is considered so by the majority of humans of all cultures. To go to the aid of a crying baby is considered absolutely good because it is considered so by the majority of humans of all cultures.

It is said that the reason people believe this way is because that is what they were taught. I believe it comes from a deeper level than that. Children of 3 or 4 look with horror on a killed pet kitten without having to be taught about death. Adults feel a stirring of concerned uneasiness when a stranger's baby cries in distress. People do not come into the world a "blank slate". (And that is in the title of another book by another author.)

Answer 3

It is very difficult to determine what is good and what is evil. I personally look to God to help my judgment. One might say it is an evil thing to take human life. But if one must kill another person to protect one's property, life, rights, or loved ones, is it not better to kill an aggressor than to acquiesce and condemn oneself, and one's beloved to ignominy, dishonour, slavery, or death? I would say that is a greater evil than than to kill another person.

Good and evil are relative to the situation. However, a God-fearing man (one who is truly faithful and not just a wicked individual who wears a guise of piety) can tell what is right and what is wrong from his conscience and rational mind. Unfortunately, what is truly right does not always concur with our current interests, and we thus claim it to be wrong because it does not help further our current plans.

Answer 4

Everything is not either good or evil, there are grays. Sometimes it depends on the situations. Would it be good, evil or gray to allow a person to die to save many other lives? Or would it be better to allow all of the people to die? What do you think?

Answer 5

The concepts of good and evil are morality judgments based upon the beliefs that we have been taught are right and wrong. In essence, we are brainwashed to believe in one and the other. They are purely human constructs and are relative from one person to another and one situation to another, therefore they constantly change.

Answer 6

im assuming your asking if the determination itself is always correct. answer A) actions, these are the ultimate expression of any thought, and the end, it is the action that tells the tale. answer B) unfortunately because of my answer to your first question the intent of your second question may be a bit skewed, I would be answering: "is an individual's action always correct?" and i would have to say of course not.

Answer 7

good and evil are not determined. they just are.

Answer 8

Good and evil is relative and always facile.

Answer 9

Whether or not you're trying to help someone, and it is always correct, even if there are plenty of people that don't deserve being helped.