What is the definition of good (and evil)?

Vaskez · 08-30-2005, 09:23 AM

I've often thought, actually what IS a good person, and a bad person?

I've come to the conclusion that a good simplified definition of a good person is someone who thinks about (and acts upon it) the interests of others before their own. So this implies that an evil person is someone who always does what is best for themselves without worrying about the consequences for others. But then again even more evil is causing harm to others just for the hell of it. Think about the implications of these definitions and let me know if you agree or what you think is the definition if you disagree.

[ 08-30-2005, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Vaskez ]

johnny · 08-30-2005, 09:28 AM

Hm...dunno, someone who only acts in his own interrest is not by definition an evil person. Selfcentered isn't evil in my book. Deliberately hurting another person, for no particular reason, that's evil.

Vaskez · 08-30-2005, 09:33 AM

Yeah, I guess I agree with that, but I already mentioned that above. Most people will agree that deliberately causing harm is evil. But do you agree with the definition of good?

Sever · 08-30-2005, 09:40 AM

Wow, you sure know how to ask 'em. Can't we settle for the meaning of life?

Your notions of G&E are on par with the D&D definitions and are about as good as any i've heard. Trouble with this question is that it's 99% rhetorical and peoples' interpretations are subject to change.

I'll have to think about this.

johnny · 08-30-2005, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vaskez:
Yeah, I guess I agree with that, but I already mentioned that above. Most people will agree that deliberately causing harm is evil. But do you agree with the definition of good?

Yeah, i guess so, but honestly, those people are pretty hard to find.

Vaskez · 08-30-2005, 09:45 AM

Yeah, hard to find, true. So none of us are really good.

And yeah, Sever I realised that that's pretty much how D&D defines them, but if you think about it makes sense I reckon. And yeah I do know how to ask em

The meaning of life question is easy to answer, just not easy to carry out

mad=dog · 08-30-2005, 10:14 AM

Only the humourous sorts. Such as
Filling an empty salt canister with salt is good
Filling an empty salt canister with sugar is evil

Sever · 08-30-2005, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Vaskez:

The meaning of life question is easy to answer, just not easy to carry out

You're half right, Vaskez. I'll leave it to you to guess which half. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

These questions do my head in. It's quite possible for me to write an in-depth answer one day, and wonder who wrote that same drivel the next...

If i come up with anything i think i might agree with, i'll post it. Ok?

Vaskez · 08-30-2005, 10:25 AM

Very clever [img]tongue.gif[/img] you're saying it's not easy to carry out. See my other thread for proof that it's easy to answer

And yeah, you sort out the arguments within your head, tell those voices to be quiet, then come back

burnzey boi · 08-30-2005, 10:37 AM

an evil person has a red baseball bat, a good person has a clean baseball bat. thats how you tell the correct difference.

08-30-2005, 09:23 AM	#1
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	I've often thought, actually what IS a good person, and a bad person? I've come to the conclusion that a good simplified definition of a good person is someone who thinks about (and acts upon it) the interests of others before their own. So this implies that an evil person is someone who always does what is best for themselves without worrying about the consequences for others. But then again even more evil is causing harm to others just for the hell of it. Think about the implications of these definitions and let me know if you agree or what you think is the definition if you disagree. [ 08-30-2005, 09:24 AM: Message edited by: Vaskez ] __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

08-30-2005, 09:28 AM	#2
johnny 40th Level Warrior Join Date: April 15, 2002 Location: Utrecht The Netherlands Age: 59 Posts: 16,981	Hm...dunno, someone who only acts in his own interrest is not by definition an evil person. Selfcentered isn't evil in my book. Deliberately hurting another person, for no particular reason, that's evil. __________________

08-30-2005, 09:33 AM	#3
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Yeah, I guess I agree with that, but I already mentioned that above. Most people will agree that deliberately causing harm is evil. But do you agree with the definition of good? __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

08-30-2005, 09:40 AM	#4
Sever Ma'at - Goddess of Truth & Justice Join Date: October 31, 2002 Location: Western Australia Age: 44 Posts: 3,293	Wow, you sure know how to ask 'em. Can't we settle for the meaning of life? Your notions of G&E are on par with the D&D definitions and are about as good as any i've heard. Trouble with this question is that it's 99% rhetorical and peoples' interpretations are subject to change. I'll have to think about this. __________________ Say say, oh playmate i cannot play with you my dolly's got the flu boo hoo hoo hoo hoo hoo

08-30-2005, 09:45 AM	#6
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Yeah, hard to find, true. So none of us are really good. And yeah, Sever I realised that that's pretty much how D&D defines them, but if you think about it makes sense I reckon. And yeah I do know how to ask em The meaning of life question is easy to answer, just not easy to carry out __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

08-30-2005, 10:14 AM	#7
mad=dog Avatar Join Date: April 18, 2004 Location: Copenhagen Age: 49 Posts: 549	Only the humourous sorts. Such as Filling an empty salt canister with salt is good Filling an empty salt canister with sugar is evil __________________ [url]\"http://www.dsr.kvl.dk/~maddog/isur.jpg\" target=\"_blank\">Ooooookay. I surrender.</a><br />Sometimes I get the eerie feeling that my computer is operating me and not the other way around.

08-30-2005, 10:25 AM	#9
Vaskez Takhisis Follower Join Date: April 30, 2001 Location: szép Magyarország (well not right now) Posts: 5,089	Very clever [img]tongue.gif[/img] you're saying it's not easy to carry out. See my other thread for proof that it's easy to answer And yeah, you sort out the arguments within your head, tell those voices to be quiet, then come back __________________ Too set in his ways to ever relate If he could set that aside, there'd be heaven to pay But weathered and aged, time swept him to grave Love conquers all? Damn, I'd say that area's gray

08-30-2005, 10:37 AM	#10
burnzey boi Red Wizard of Thay Join Date: September 14, 2004 Location: Western Australia Age: 34 Posts: 800	an evil person has a red baseball bat, a good person has a clean baseball bat. thats how you tell the correct difference. __________________ burnzey - The Australian kiss, like a French kiss, but down under (Main)Undead Mage - 70, Orc Warrior - 70, Blood Elf Paladin - 70, Orc Shaman - 70, Troll Rogue - 70, Orc Hunter - 65, UD Warlock 61, BE Priest 60, Tauren Drood - 60 OM NOM NOM NOM

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