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Originally posted by @fmfI describe everyone like that not just me.
You keep describing yourself as evil and wicked. That's your prerogative. I'll take your word for it. By contrast, I think a good person, in simple terms, is one who does not damage or harm others, who does not deceive others, and who does not coerce others. This is a guideline for navigating one's way ~ as best as one can ~ through the complexities of real lif ...[text shortened]... y and some others, and I think we have a broad working definition of "good" and a "good person".
I believe we have lived self-centered lives and only think in terms of ourselves, and with
some exceptions those we like/love. Even with them we can be harmful if they are not
living up our expectations. In general I believe that being kind is better than hateful, loving
better than hateful, forgiving rather than condemning, sharing better than hording,
attempting to live peacefully better than in anger and rage, soft spoken rather than
name calling, sober rather than drunken, meeting ones obligations rather than keeping
what is owed from those it due, lifting another up verses trying to tear them down. The
goal isn't just not murdering people, raping, stealing and so on.
I also think I can agree with a lot of your terms too on good, because I think we live in a
universe that is good, which is why we feel the need to justify ourselves when we do
something others and ourselves may look at as wrong, we find an excuse for bad
behavior justifying it as if that some how makes it okay we were not loving, forgiving,
helpful, but instead harmful because you know, they deserved it.
Originally posted by @kellyjayWell you describe yourself as evil and wicked, so there you go. I'll take what you say about yourself at face value.
I believe we have lived self-centered lives and only think in terms of ourselves, and with
some exceptions those we like/love. Even with them we can be harmful if they are not
living up our expectations. In general I believe that being kind is better than hateful, loving
better than hateful, forgiving rather than condemning, sharing better than hording, ...[text shortened]... trying to tear them down. The
goal isn't just not murdering people, raping, stealing and so on.
Originally posted by @kellyjay"Good" and "bad" a.k.a. "morality" is about the nature of interactions between people. You say you are evil and wicked. Well I am not. The proof of this would come from the perception of me of the people I interact with. whodey asked the question. I answered it.
Lets just say if anyone wants to know if you are a good person, they can ask you, no need
to go to anyone else.
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Originally posted by @kellyjayThey can go to anyone else they want.
Lets just say if anyone wants to know if you are a good person, they can ask you, no need
to go to anyone else.
If you were to go to the people I live among, work alongside, and interact with, I am pretty sure almost all of them would say I am a hardworking and law-abiding man; a faithful husband who is raising a family lovingly and thoughtfully.
They'd most likely describe my working life as being oriented towards serving and benefitting others rather than towards amassing wealth; they'd probably mention I do some voluntary work [in some cases alongside religious people] for disadvantaged or vulnerable people; they'd most likely describe me as a friendly and helpful neighbour and community member.
They'd say I am honest, that I don't damage or hurt the people around me, and I don't seek to coerce anyone - three principles that make may behaviour basically morally sound.
So, while I see myself as an ordinary person who is not 'better' than his friends and colleagues, and who does not do anything I think of as being extraordinary, I would say that the people in my life would confirm that I am a good person. What about you? You have some misthropic take on whether people are basically good, don't you? You see yourself - and people generally - as "evil and wicked" don't you?
Originally posted by @kellyjaywhodey's question: Are people basically good?
I also think I can agree with a lot of your terms too on good, because I think we live in a
universe that is good, which is why we feel the need to justify ourselves when we do
something others and ourselves may look at as wrong, we find an excuse for bad
behavior justifying it as if that some how makes it okay we were not loving, forgiving,
helpful, but instead harmful because you know, they deserved it.
You think people are basically evil. You've said so repeatedly. By contrast, while some aren't, I think people are basically good.
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Originally posted by @fmfSo what standard do you apply to people, yourself included, and when you apply that
whodey's question: [b]Are people basically good?
You think people are basically evil. You've said so repeatedly. By contrast, while some aren't, I think people are basically good.[/b]
standard, do you ignore things in either them or yourself, that goes against that standard,
ever?
Originally posted by @fmfIf they came to me, I'd say no he is as bad as everyone else.
They can go to anyone else they want.
If you were to go to the people I live among, work alongside, and interact with, I am pretty sure almost all of them would say I am a hardworking and law-abiding man; a faithful husband who is raising a family lovingly and thoughtfully.
They'd most likely describe my working life as being oriented towards serving and ...[text shortened]... cally good, don't you? You see yourself - and people generally - as "evil and wicked" don't you?
Originally posted by @fmfLike you I attempt to do good, but the more I grasp what good is the more I know I fall
They can go to anyone else they want.
If you were to go to the people I live among, work alongside, and interact with, I am pretty sure almost all of them would say I am a hardworking and law-abiding man; a faithful husband who is raising a family lovingly and thoughtfully.
They'd most likely describe my working life as being oriented towards serving and ...[text shortened]... cally good, don't you? You see yourself - and people generally - as "evil and wicked" don't you?
short towards it on my own.