"Nothing is either good or bad but thinking makes it so",agree or disagree?

Answer 1

True within the limits of behavior that only effects one's self.

Answer 2

Yes. Perception dictates the entire aura of a situation, thus by thinking something is negative, it becomes negative. Simply put many of our presumptions, stereotypes, and biases as to what's good or bad is dictated by society and in truth ludicrous in that nothing is truly "good" or "bad."

My sentiments also go out to the notion that there are victories or loses. These terms are analogous to good and bad in that they make distinctions between different situations not taking into effect that even the most negative situations may result in exceptionally positive out comes and vice versa.
For example, take the decimation of a group of people. The economist may say, it leads to a positive outcome in that it is a part of "human population control." However the humanitarian may say it is positive because it poses as a warning to other groups of people. Such is the way of the world.
Likewise there may be a construction of a skyscraper bent on helping the disabled and/or homeless. Although the general public perceives this as good (and note whatever the general public thinks for a region/area will most likely be considered the norm) but an environmentalist may perceive it is bad.
The key is perception, because nothing is good or bad, we just think it to be that way.

Answer 3

I agree, but it needs to be properly interpreted. The notion of good and bad is part of a mechanism of the human brain (experienced as thoughts) that determines our choices in life. This mechanism is absolutely vital to our survival, evolution and well being. Ideally, it works spontaneously. Otherwise, knowing bad and good helps this mechanism. Nevertheless, I agree that outside of this mechanism, bad and good do not exist. Things just happen the way they happen in accordance with the laws of nature. In fact, when I look at the past, I tend to recall this truth to myself and never get lost in regret. It is useless to regret the past in terms of bad and good.

Edit 1: PMN Krish must have misinterpreted the Gita or maybe I misinterpreted him/her. It is bad for you to put your hand in the fire, irrespectively of your intention. Fortunately, we are spontaneously alert about it and naturally keep our hands at a distance from a fire. In the same way, we should care for others.

Edit 2: Gaspode, I do not see that bad and good apply less to ourselves than to others. Even if we think in terms of others, we should be good to ourselves because, if we suffer and become weak, we will not be able to help others.

Edit 3: To Marinosa no le llora. Your examples explain well that it is almost impossible to intellectually determine all the consequences of an action. This is true. I feel that we should also emphasize that, nevertheless, bad and good are not arbitrary concepts. Maybe some illicit drug, say LSD, will save the life of a child through some unexpected mechanism. Still, we must teach our children that it is bad to take drugs.

Answer 4

Thinking has nothing to do with good or bad. Your actions in life are, primarily, a result of your Moral Code, which has very little to do with religion. So, I disagree.

Answer 5

There is definitely good and bad. Since thoughts are things, we can make a situation better or worse by our thoughts.

A wise Sage once said "as a man thinks in his heart, so is he", meaning, we are what we think we are.

Think good thoughts, my friend :)

Answer 6

Strongly disagree.

Answer 7

It has been said' no action is either bad or good, and it is the intention with which it is made makes it good or bad'.So there should be good and bad.

Answer 8

It doesn't take any thinking to know that a person cruel to a child is BAD

But in other lesser cases I guess thinking is needed

Answer 9

While I tend not to be to judgemental, I can't agree that "NOTHING is good or bad."

Answer 10

With very rare exceptions I would agree. But please remember somethings in this world do not require thought to have action, and all that happens is not neutral.