Can one really say that there is such thing as universal good or evil?

Question

if so, how and why? isn't good and evil just a concept or construct formed by the human mind to decide whether or not something is good or bad for the species? killing hurts the human population, thus seeming evil. helping the poor seems good, because it helps humans prosper and reproduce. good and evil are bound into us to keep us from destroying ourselves. but if you look outside of the human perspective, you can see that good and evil are nothing but animal instincts. when you detach yourself from human views, you can finally see the truth. good and evil don't really exist.

youre right southsider. sometimes, thats why i think leaving human society would be best for me. it seems crazy, but i would feel better that way.

Answer 1

Your question is very well stated, and shows that you have discovered much of the available reasoning about good and evil. The only truthful answer is that good and evil are neither one absolutely defined. They are defined by one's social milieu. A great many people will argue vehemently that good and evil are, too, absolutes. These folks will proceed to spell out the definitions for you according to their understanding, believing themselves to be divulging the absolute truth.

One good reference for thinking about good vs. evil, fact vs. opinion, and sense vs. nonsense, is Critical Thinking by Moore and Parker. An entire chapter is given to the basis for right vs. wrong. They divide thought on the subject into Moral, Legal, and Aesthetic reasoning. Already this implies that moral and legal, for example, are not equivalent. When one finds a conflict between one's moral principles and the law, which does one choose? Many will choose the course that causes themselves the least trouble. Is this right? Is the most important choice that between peer pressure and law enforcement, for example? The answer is that there is no clear answer. Wars have been fought over such questions, with the "right" answer usually being imposed by the winning side. I can not answer your question, either, but I will pass the buck by suggesting the book, especially chapter 12. It can be had used at amazon.com for a song.

Answer 2

True, good and evil doesn't exist but propagations of living situation is evil as it defies the law of God's management of ecology. It means nothing to a single and focused mind of a human but in terms of generality... it is evil, and it means denying the living conditions of those living thing that shares the earth and far worse, destroying them just to have the luxury that it needs which is not heaven.

Answer 3

Yeah that makes sense. The fact that humans are the only living things on earth that would actually take the time to stop and help one of it's own, even if it means risking our lives...that's all a chaotic cosmic burp.

Answer 4

reasoning, and common sense are two factors that play in that roll
animals dont have reason, they have instinct

good and evil are not concepts but actually live
good and evil are not theories on paper but are built into our hearts from the get go.
how we use them later in life is our choice
you are attempting to erase accountability, no laws, no responsibility, live and let live.

If you feel its ok to speed, ask the cop if his radar is universal, when you go to court

Answer 5

this is more of a philosophical question that cannot be answered in a post if you want to get the true meaning of what "good" and "evil" are. All I can suggest is reading
Platos Republic.

Answer 6

I believe in God and that comes with the knowledge of satan so I know the is good and evil.

Answer 7

mans biggest mistake is trying to determine what is right and what is wrong.