why is reason important in determining the goodness and the badness fo an action?

Answer 1

Reasoning is basically what separates us from the apes.

It is easy to say that an action is good or bad, but in order to make a convincing argument it must be reasoned. What one person perceives as doing good may be seen by someone else as harmful.

There are a lot of people who think that sending money to poor African nations is a good thing, but others think that unless the money is directed toward an enterprise which involves the Africans helping themselves, it can do more harm than good.

Answer 2

For instance:

To run up to a person, and knock them to the ground would be __________.

But, if a truck were to lose control and roll down a hill, when this person was crossing the street in the path of the truck it would be ___________ to run up to the person and knock them to the ground inorder to save their life.

In how I view life, There must be absolutes in place in order for a society to function in harmony. The vast majority of actions are normally good, or normally bad, without needing a reason to make that determination. Because, using circumstances alone to determine if something is right or wrong allows people to self-justify their actions. People can be very creative in excusing their actions, even when that particular action does another person harm.

I believe this question is flawed.
On what basis is goodness or badness determined?
Is cheating or harming another person allowed?
Is a person allowed to do all they please to do?
What criteria determine bad or good?
Why are there no absolutes?
If there were an absolute, what would be used to determine that?

Answer 3

It is the gift God gave us that makes us stand out from all other creatures. The ability to think and choose (think about an action and the pending reaction and choose what we will do) defines who we are as individuals, groups and as a nation. For every action there is a reaction, good or bad. The consequences of each action must be weighed against the effect of acting....