Defining Words

How do we define the words “good” and “evil?”  We know them through their actions.  In our world, Hitler was evil; he invaded countries, started wars, and ordered the design of a system to wipe out types of people he hated – Jews, homosexuals, etc.  Can a person who merely thinks “good” or “evil” thoughts be good or evil?  Most philosophers concur that all humans have some mix of good and evil in our make up.

In general, we see good and evil qualities as opposites.  Good = “unselfish” while evil = “selfish,” good is “for” and evil is “against,” good = “pleasure” and evil = “pain.”

We think of our monsters and gods usually as having a range of evil and good qualities.  Gods are hyperhuman.  That is, they embody human qualities taken to extremes.  They can be angry, or tired, or jealous.  Monsters on the other hand are simply against humanity, and any redeeming qualities are ignored.

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Next up: existence.