balistafreak
2010-05-22, 12:47 PM
I've recently taken an interest in the amount of ways that people define what is Good and Evil. Established rules notwithstanding, how do you personally see it?
Currently, I have:
Altruism vs. Selfishness. You are good when you donate money and time to a good cause like charity and evil when you spend it all on a mansion with no regrets. This system has a flaw in that it is arguable that selfishness is sometimes a question better suited to Lawful vs. Chaotic. I imagine many people don't view mansions as inherently evil. :smalltongue:
Physical traits. You're an angel? You're good. You're a devil? You're evil. Naturally, this system falls flat on its face on too many levels to really be worth considering for long.
Actions. Some actions are inherently good or evil. This needs a scale (such as the above Altruism vs. Selfishness) to be fully applicable.
Intention. It doesn't matter what you do, it's what you mean or feel about it. Again, this also requires a scale.
Personally, I'm a fan of the Intention system applied to Altruism vs. Selfishness. You can commit genocide and still be Lawful Good if you meant to better the world, and run an orphanage and still be Chaotic Evil if you really would prefer not doing so.
What other systems and scales exist? Give an example of what is Good and Evil in the given system, if at all possible. Leave your righteous umbrage at a manageable level, lest this thread be swiftly locked, please. However, I do want to see some open discussion and dispute. That's how the world progresses, after all. :smallbiggrin:
Currently, I have:
Altruism vs. Selfishness. You are good when you donate money and time to a good cause like charity and evil when you spend it all on a mansion with no regrets. This system has a flaw in that it is arguable that selfishness is sometimes a question better suited to Lawful vs. Chaotic. I imagine many people don't view mansions as inherently evil. :smalltongue:
Physical traits. You're an angel? You're good. You're a devil? You're evil. Naturally, this system falls flat on its face on too many levels to really be worth considering for long.
Actions. Some actions are inherently good or evil. This needs a scale (such as the above Altruism vs. Selfishness) to be fully applicable.
Intention. It doesn't matter what you do, it's what you mean or feel about it. Again, this also requires a scale.
Personally, I'm a fan of the Intention system applied to Altruism vs. Selfishness. You can commit genocide and still be Lawful Good if you meant to better the world, and run an orphanage and still be Chaotic Evil if you really would prefer not doing so.
What other systems and scales exist? Give an example of what is Good and Evil in the given system, if at all possible. Leave your righteous umbrage at a manageable level, lest this thread be swiftly locked, please. However, I do want to see some open discussion and dispute. That's how the world progresses, after all. :smallbiggrin: