Reply #88: A concise essay on the concepts of good and evil, [View All]

[ronnie624]

which references one of my favorite authors, Stephen J. Gould. He had much to say about this topic. I highly recommend all of his books.

Herein lies the dilemma presented by concepts such as good and evil. Countless instances exist in which the terms can be antithetically altered between two observers. An excellent example from modern times is the rash of terrorist incidents that occurred on September 11th. One can think of few tragedies more horrendous than the genocide of thousands. Indeed, American sentiments ran highest following the massacre. Many dubbed the attacks as unforgivably evil.

However, as evil as the act was considered by most, others believed the exact opposite. News broadcasts following the incidents were filled with accounts of celebration in some countries. While many condemned the attacks as profoundly evil, others praised them as profoundly good. This provides the modern mind with undeniable proof of the subjective nature of good and evil. Such concepts cannot logically be considered human universals, or universals of any sort, if their perception can fundamentally switch from one individual to the next.

This string of logic provides a very real and very obvious conclusion. As Stephen J. Gould explicates, the application of moral values to natural things is “thoroughly inappropriate” (Jacobus 483). On the other hand, Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution has proven that human beings are intrinsically natural. In combining the two, one can see that questions of good and evil are just as inappropriate with regards to humanity. Proof of this assertion can be found in many sources, such as literature or recent history. Therefore, the only logical conclusion to all the data presented is that concepts of good and evil are ultimately subjective, arbitrary, and unnatural.

<http://www.projectparadox.com/personal/papers/good-versus-evil-the-great-debate.php>