In a world that can be described by human language and beliefs,
but in reality is unknown as to it’s truths and inner workings(if any),
good and evil seems to be a conjured idea of human kind. I have found
that in reality there is no absolute good or absolute evil, but actions
and occurrences which either coincide with the natural flow of the
universe and those that contradict it. This natural flow does have to be
any organized system, for it could be pure chaos and we are simply the
result of random occurrences. Even creation and destruction cannot be
classified as good or evil because there is destruction which replenishes
or brings new possibilities and there is creation which absorbs obstacles
in the way. Creation often causes the loss of many beautiful and natural
things; For instance, the creation of our modern society has caused the
loss of many animal species. Perhaps modern society did not cause the
extinction directly, but nevertheless the natural world was certainly
affected by or catalyzed by mankind’s construction and machining of the
world. But this also cannot be categorized as being good or evil since
perhaps it was natural order that these creatures left the Earth simply
because they were no longer meant for it, as perhaps the dinosaurs were.
Many aspects and actions of the world have been categorized in an almost
stereotypical fashion. For example, creation has always been seen as a
pure action which can only result in good.
The perspective from which these rights and wrongs are viewed can
also change their classification dramatically. As the old saying goes, ‘
there are two sides to every story,’ and thus two goods and two evils
according to each side. But in the intricate workings of human relations
internal and external of the human race there are often many ‘sides’ and
thus many ideals. Since the complexity of any situation is large, the
possible perspectives are endless.
If I were to define the classification of ‘good’ I would say that
it is anything that helps humankind become more realized in a position
that is natural or coincides with the forces of the universe. But who is
able to truly understand the complex system that is existence? Our laws
and accepted ideals are just descriptions which allow us to predict and
have a rational position in the world. That description of the behavior
of the world, of the interaction between humans and nature, and also
between human and human, whether it be love, hate, acceptance,
engineering or philosophy, is what makes up society. It is what society
seems to either have crafted or has been built upon.
There are many sides to the relation humans have with the rest of
the universe, and the more extensive these relationships are, the more
distant we are from natural existence. But since we are part of nature as
well, perhaps we are not distancing ourselves from it, but rather
following it as humankind should. It could be that everything that occurs
due to man or anything else is a form of natural existence. If so, no
matter what we do can be classified as being good, or in having some sort
of positive effect on society, and then the rest of existence.
If everything happens in concurrence with and as part of the
natural world, then how are we to decide how to govern ourselves? Even
though everything which occurs will have some meaning, for us as human
beings, some actions may be more pleasant than others. These actions may
just be more directly parallel with whatever direction humankind or the
universe is taking. It is important then that we be in touch with our own
existence and natural direction since it may reveal the direction of the
system we are a part of. If we thus follow our spirit than we shall have
productive lives. The mystery is now whether or not this spirit is
innate, learned or both. That is a whole other discussion in itself.
So if this parallel relationship we have with our contemporary
world is what defines a ‘good’ relationship, does that mean ways which are
opposite or perpendicular are ‘evil’? But how can anything be opposite,
because it all occurs as part of the larger universe. So if anything is
classified as evil, then everything is evil, and the universe is as well.
This is how it seems there can be no good or evil, or everything would be
both. Maybe existence is some twisted combination of the two, or as said
before, maybe there is no organization(chaos)..
In reality though, our societies use of Good and Evil may allow
for a society which is close as it can be to natural order without total
regression. Many of our values support individual freedom and free
thought. Of course, everyone has their own idea of freedom. We also
condone actions of people which may limit someone else’s society given
right to live. There are many faults in the structure though, and I do
feel that maybe sometimes we should attempt to focus on what may result
from the way we live our lives and also on the way we live everyday. I
think we should be listening more to one’s gut feelings and whatever, if
any, innate human guidance that exist rather than always following without
question the accepted reasoning of society. In other words, we all should
try actually thinking about something rather than blindly accepting it.