Good OR Bad?

[Jeremiah Ames]

Two kinds of people


Good people.

Or

Evil people.


Yes, a person can be both. But only good people can be both.**

Evil people cannot be both, because they cannot be good. Since they are, by definition, evil.

If an evil person does something that appears to be good, it is actually not. This is because the person is doing the good act for some personal gain, like fame or fortune. (Not that fame or fortune are evil things)


The interesting thing, though, is that good people are able to see evil for what it is, as well as seeing good for what it is.

Whereas, evil people are not capable of seeing good, or evil.


Additionally, good people can recognize truth and falsity.

And again, evil people cannot recognize either.


Why are evil people unable to recognize evil or falsity or good or truth? Because they believe in their heart that everything they think is true, and everything they do is good. They are unable to believe that they could be wrong about anything. Whatever they do, they justify with their false ideas, and call it “good”. Whatever they do.

They also look at other people as being “good” when other people are benefiting them or agreeing with them, in some way. And the reverse. Because of this, an evil person is incapable of recognizing anything within themselves that is evil or false. And they can only see things in other people that they call “evil” and “false”, even though it may not be the case at all.


But good people are able to see the actual falsity and evil, and the actual good and truth, in others. As well as within themselves.


One more thing, an evil person will not necessarily like the word “evil”. They will prefer to call evil by other names, such as “bad”, “sinner” or some other milder sounding word. They especially like the word sinner, when pointing fingers, though.

And, yet, a good person can clearly see the difference between good and evil, and label them accordingly.


Ok, I tossed out a few thoughts. Call it my “opinion”


Now please feel free to share your thoughts.




**this concept could occupy another discussion, not here

 

[The Hammer]

Most of what you describe sounds more like self centered egotism.

I don't really think there are very many "truly evil" people in the world.

I find it more likely that we have Good people, and Hurt people. Good people are just that, whereas hurt people are reactionary and defensive towards the things that hurt them real or imagined.

 

[Mock Turtle]

It doesn't help to look at things in this way - people being either good or bad/evil - firstly, what incentive is there for people so labelled (as bad or evil) to even try to be good (or to be as expected), secondly, it doesn't accord with reality, when we know that many people generally thought of as being good overall can do bad things, especially when they are mentally disturbed perhaps, and thirdly, there happens to exist a spectrum of behaviour that many would not agree upon as to where any particular action lay - as to being good or bad. Three reasons as some quick thoughts.

Often, many will just not see their actions as being evil or bad, and perhaps based on some particular beliefs (might even be religious ones), such that education might just change such behaviour.

Evil is often just a religious concept with little usefulness, other than depicting the far end of the good/bad spectrum, and where we can usually all place any such actions there.

 

[lewisnotmiller]

Most of what you describe sounds more like self centered egotism.

I don't really think there are very many "truly evil" people in the world.

I find it more likely that we have Good people, and Hurt people. Good people are just that, whereas hurt people are reactionary and defensive towards the things that hurt them real or imagined.

I'm of like mind. Some of those hurt folk appear broken to me (whereas my wife is more optimistic) but same basic thought.

 

[ChristineM]

Two kinds of people


Good people.

Or

Evil people.


Yes, a person can be both. But only good people can be both.**

Evil people cannot be both, because they cannot be good. Since they are, by definition, evil.

If an evil person does something that appears to be good, it is actually not. This is because the person is doing the good act for some personal gain, like fame or fortune. (Not that fame or fortune are evil things)


The interesting thing, though, is that good people are able to see evil for what it is, as well as seeing good for what it is.

Whereas, evil people are not capable of seeing good, or evil.


Additionally, good people can recognize truth and falsity.

And again, evil people cannot recognize either.


Why are evil people unable to recognize evil or falsity or good or truth? Because they believe in their heart that everything they think is true, and everything they do is good. They are unable to believe that they could be wrong about anything. Whatever they do, they justify with their false ideas, and call it “good”. Whatever they do.

They also look at other people as being “good” when other people are benefiting them or agreeing with them, in some way. And the reverse. Because of this, an evil person is incapable of recognizing anything within themselves that is evil or false. And they can only see things in other people that they call “evil” and “false”, even though it may not be the case at all.


But good people are able to see the actual falsity and evil, and the actual good and truth, in others. As well as within themselves.


One more thing, an evil person will not necessarily like the word “evil”. They will prefer to call evil by other names, such as “bad”, “sinner” or some other milder sounding word. They especially like the word sinner, when pointing fingers, though.

And, yet, a good person can clearly see the difference between good and evil, and label them accordingly.


Ok, I tossed out a few thoughts. Call it my “opinion”


Now please feel free to share your thoughts.




**this concept could occupy another discussion, not here

This seems rather black and white to me, I've known one truly bad person who did a considerable amount for charity.

I've known several so called good people who have turned out to be self centred bigots.

The only truly good person i have ever met was a professional exotic/pole dancer/stripper, many would not consider that good, thats their problem because they never knew Sam who is now dead. My eldest daughter is named in her memory.

I known many people somewhere in between.

 

[SalixIncendium]

Two kinds of people


Good people.

Or

Evil people.


Yes, a person can be both. But only good people can be both.**

Evil people cannot be both, because they cannot be good. Since they are, by definition, evil.

If an evil person does something that appears to be good, it is actually not. This is because the person is doing the good act for some personal gain, like fame or fortune. (Not that fame or fortune are evil things)


The interesting thing, though, is that good people are able to see evil for what it is, as well as seeing good for what it is.

Whereas, evil people are not capable of seeing good, or evil.


Additionally, good people can recognize truth and falsity.

And again, evil people cannot recognize either.


Why are evil people unable to recognize evil or falsity or good or truth? Because they believe in their heart that everything they think is true, and everything they do is good. They are unable to believe that they could be wrong about anything. Whatever they do, they justify with their false ideas, and call it “good”. Whatever they do.

They also look at other people as being “good” when other people are benefiting them or agreeing with them, in some way. And the reverse. Because of this, an evil person is incapable of recognizing anything within themselves that is evil or false. And they can only see things in other people that they call “evil” and “false”, even though it may not be the case at all.


But good people are able to see the actual falsity and evil, and the actual good and truth, in others. As well as within themselves.


One more thing, an evil person will not necessarily like the word “evil”. They will prefer to call evil by other names, such as “bad”, “sinner” or some other milder sounding word. They especially like the word sinner, when pointing fingers, though.

And, yet, a good person can clearly see the difference between good and evil, and label them accordingly.


Ok, I tossed out a few thoughts. Call it my “opinion”


Now please feel free to share your thoughts.




**this concept could occupy another discussion, not here

Are you a good person or an evil person? In either case, have you ever experienced being the other? If not, how can you intelligently speak about what the other can or cannot recognize?

 

[epronovost]

If an evil person does something that appears to be good, it is actually not. This is because the person is doing the good act for some personal gain, like fame or fortune. (Not that fame or fortune are evil things)

I don't subscribe to the ethics of virtue. I am a consequencialist. A person doing good things for selfish reasons is still doing good things and is still good. Everybody can be said to be motivated by some form of self serving reasons like personal satisfaction, self estime, ethical reciprocity, fear of judgement, fame, fortune, avoiding punishment, etc.

Evil people are simply people who behave in destructive, anti-social, threatening manner on a consistant basis or commits particularly egregious acts of that sort.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

Most of what you describe sounds more like self centered egotism.

I don't really think there are very many "truly evil" people in the world.

I find it more likely that we have Good people, and Hurt people. Good people are just that, whereas hurt people are reactionary and defensive towards the things that hurt them real or imagined.

I tend to agree with you. I have the belief (for what little it’s worth) that most people are good, even the vast majority.
But this one guy, who I respect dearly for his wisdom, claims that there are very few good people. Most of my OP comes from listening to him.
So, pretty much, I leave it in the “I just don’t know” category.
But still treat everyone as good until I find out otherwise.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

This seems rather black and white to me, I've known one truly bad person who did a considerable amount for charity.

I've known several so called good people who have turned out to be self centred bigots.

The only truly good person i have ever met was a professional exotic/pole dancer/stripper, many would not consider that good, thats their problem because they never knew Sam who is now dead. My eldest daughter is named in her memory.

I known many people somewhere in between.

Yes, Christine, I see the world (people) pretty much like what you say here.
My OP came from things I have heard.
I was looking for added insight here.
As I mentioned above, I would pretty much want to assume that a person is good, until proven wrong.
At least that’s how I have operated for nearly 7 decades.
But I may be naive.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

Are you a good person or an evil person? In either case, have you ever experienced being the other? If not, how can you intelligently speak about what the other can or cannot recognize?

Yes.
Yes.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

I don't subscribe to the ethics of virtue. I am a consequencialist. A person doing good things for selfish reasons is still doing good things and is still good. Everybody can be said to be motivated by some form of self serving reasons like personal satisfaction, self estime, ethical reciprocity, fear of judgement, fame, fortune, avoiding punishment, etc.

Evil people are simply people who behave in destructive, anti-social, threatening manner on a consistant basis or commits particularly egregious acts of that sort.

Very well said. epronovost

 

[ChristineM]

As I mentioned above, I would pretty much want to assume that a person is good, until proven wrong.
At least that’s how I have operated for

I work exactly the other way round. I assume everyone is bad (i bad as a generality) until trust is earned.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

I work exactly the other way round. I assume everyone is bad (i bad as a generality) until trust is earned.

My wife agrees with you, and after discussing it with her, I agree as well.
I have no problem learning new things, and changing my mind.

 

[Heyo]

Two kinds of people


Good people.

Or

Evil people.


Yes, a person can be both. But only good people can be both.**

Evil people cannot be both, because they cannot be good. Since they are, by definition, evil.

If an evil person does something that appears to be good, it is actually not. This is because the person is doing the good act for some personal gain, like fame or fortune. (Not that fame or fortune are evil things)


The interesting thing, though, is that good people are able to see evil for what it is, as well as seeing good for what it is.

Whereas, evil people are not capable of seeing good, or evil.


Additionally, good people can recognize truth and falsity.

And again, evil people cannot recognize either.


Why are evil people unable to recognize evil or falsity or good or truth? Because they believe in their heart that everything they think is true, and everything they do is good. They are unable to believe that they could be wrong about anything. Whatever they do, they justify with their false ideas, and call it “good”. Whatever they do.

They also look at other people as being “good” when other people are benefiting them or agreeing with them, in some way. And the reverse. Because of this, an evil person is incapable of recognizing anything within themselves that is evil or false. And they can only see things in other people that they call “evil” and “false”, even though it may not be the case at all.


But good people are able to see the actual falsity and evil, and the actual good and truth, in others. As well as within themselves.


One more thing, an evil person will not necessarily like the word “evil”. They will prefer to call evil by other names, such as “bad”, “sinner” or some other milder sounding word. They especially like the word sinner, when pointing fingers, though.

And, yet, a good person can clearly see the difference between good and evil, and label them accordingly.


Ok, I tossed out a few thoughts. Call it my “opinion”


Now please feel free to share your thoughts.




**this concept could occupy another discussion, not here

The idea of good or bad people is entirely religious. In moral philosophy there is no such thing as a good or bad entity. Only actions can be moral (good) or immoral (bad). Most actions are amoral (neutral).
Moral is as moral does.

 

[Jeremiah Ames]

The idea of good or bad people is entirely religious. In moral philosophy there is no such thing as a good or bad entity. Only actions can be moral (good) or immoral (bad). Most actions are amoral (neutral).
Moral is as moral does.

Great response.
You are correct, imo.
It was not an easy concept for me to grasp, but I did understand it a few years back. Previously, I would equate a bad action with the person.
Life is much better now, seeing things as you have spoken.