Good and evil doesn't necessarily have to fit the common view of a good or evil person. This is especially true in movies, and even some TV shows. A person who may appear to be an average decent person, can actually be doing terrible things. Likewise, a person who may appear to be like a mean or tough person may actually be the real good person. I agree with this statement from personal experience. There can be people who appear to be a legitimate person, but take a look at some things they do and right there you've caught onto something. When it comes to a person looking mean and tough, some of those people are actually very decent and good hearted people.
I believe that there is no way you can put everyone into the same category, especially because everyone is different. One example I'd like to use is the show 24, from one point of view Jack is seen as a criminal but in fact he is on the good guys side, infiltrating an evil organization. One character who was a secret service agent, had been killing people who were about to reveal what kind of work he actually was doing with a Militia organization. This example shows how a person who may look like the good person can actually be bad. From the movie Executive decision, Air force one was taken over by a number of armed men. Once again, one of the President's secret service had helped the group get on board the plane secretly. This agent had been working for the President for many years, but suddenly got a pay off by this particular group. This is why, in those types of positions you have to constantly make sure you have the right people working for you. Agents even keep and eye on each other to make sure there isn't any corruption or conspiracy's brewing up. So this is an example of a person who seems legit but actually is a major threat. One other thing, I'd like to point out is that even a superhero such as Batman uses violence to protect people from these villains. So people may argue that he is doing the same things as his enemies.
All the examples I provided are from movies or shows, but it even applies to real life when people are being mislead today. You don't really know a person, unless you get to know them. As I stated earlier, a person who may seem legit can actually be a very bad person, a person who may appear to be an individual you can't trust may be a person of good moral character. It may be even more obvious than that, such as a person who appears to be good and is completely legit. Even a person who appears to be bad can be bad. It wouldn't be smart to misjudge a person, unless you really look into it and find out or get to know them. Film is very good at portraying good and evil in different ways, and helps people look at the different ways good or evil can come.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Can good characters engender judgement?
I believe good characters do engender judgement. People as a whole probably get judged on decisions made, things said or actions. Maybe not always, but usually they get some form of judgement put upon them. People have different opinions which are based on what they already know and maybe on certain assumptions. Depending on their viewpoint, they may see a good character doing something bad or doing something good. Even small things can be put under scrutiny, and people tend to disregard these things as insignificant.
A couple examples of this would be: King Richards was doing a noble act by spreading Christianity, on the other hand he was killing people in the name of Christianity. For some he was a hero and for others he was a bad man. Regardless of if someone is good or bad they will somewhere or somehow face judgement, its unavoidable. There are also different degrees of judgement, for example it may be very harsh or it can be something minor. An example of harsh judgement would be doing something terrible which would effect many people, or doing something morally wrong. From a minor side, something like taking a pencil from some one's desk. Judgement can make a person stronger or weaker, depending on how they take it, analyse it and look at it. Some judgement can improve one as a person, and some is just destructive and can ruin one's feelings towards one's self. There is positive judgement like constructive criticism and negative which is plainly making up things about a person.
A couple examples of this would be: King Richards was doing a noble act by spreading Christianity, on the other hand he was killing people in the name of Christianity. For some he was a hero and for others he was a bad man. Regardless of if someone is good or bad they will somewhere or somehow face judgement, its unavoidable. There are also different degrees of judgement, for example it may be very harsh or it can be something minor. An example of harsh judgement would be doing something terrible which would effect many people, or doing something morally wrong. From a minor side, something like taking a pencil from some one's desk. Judgement can make a person stronger or weaker, depending on how they take it, analyse it and look at it. Some judgement can improve one as a person, and some is just destructive and can ruin one's feelings towards one's self. There is positive judgement like constructive criticism and negative which is plainly making up things about a person.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Can evil characters Ingender sympathy?
I think that evil characters aren't always 100% evil and have a soft spot. In certain movies or stories I've seen, certain villains do show some sense of feeling but don't want to show it, and believe its a sign of weakness. Evil characters want to be seen as powerful and cause demise to other people, and if they are seen as too sympathetic, they probably believe that it will effect their image.
Examples of sympathy can include, when characters may not go through with a plan that would cause catastrophic results and maybe even tone it down. When an evil character is complemented for showing some sort of sympathy, they may brush it off and say that it was nothing and still insist that they are evil. So it may be apparent that deep down inside, they really do feel something but can't or don't want to show it on the outside. Evil characters may even begin to show some sort of sympathy, but then realize what they are doing and suddenly force themselves to display evil once again. So in summary, I do think that evil people can show sympathy but it doesn't show too often unless you analyze the person carefully. They probably hate being seen as nice or sympathetic person because they want the title of being evil, and status or how they are viewed is probably prudent for them.
Examples of sympathy can include, when characters may not go through with a plan that would cause catastrophic results and maybe even tone it down. When an evil character is complemented for showing some sort of sympathy, they may brush it off and say that it was nothing and still insist that they are evil. So it may be apparent that deep down inside, they really do feel something but can't or don't want to show it on the outside. Evil characters may even begin to show some sort of sympathy, but then realize what they are doing and suddenly force themselves to display evil once again. So in summary, I do think that evil people can show sympathy but it doesn't show too often unless you analyze the person carefully. They probably hate being seen as nice or sympathetic person because they want the title of being evil, and status or how they are viewed is probably prudent for them.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Clearly Defined roles?
I don't think good and evil are 100% defined, simply because evil people can do good things and good people can do evil things. To make this statement more clear, I can start off by illustrating some examples. When an evil person does something good, we should question: what is their purpose of the act? Likewise, we should ask a good person doing something evil: what is the purpose of what they did? In some cases, the action may not be deliberate or it may be done, knowing full well what the person was doing.
Realistically speaking, i doubt very many people would be 100% good. Just imagine if people listened to everything that every single person said, aside from constructive criticism or important things to improve yourself. That would mean that if someone says to go jump off a bridge, you would listen and jump off. A good person doesn't have to go to that extreme where, they do exactly as everyone tells them to, but they should be able to think of the greater good and think for themselves. Some people may seem like they are 100% evil by horrendous crimes they may have committed but who's to say behind closed doors, they can't live with themselves? Even if it is a bit of remorse of some sort, they still have a bit of goodness inside of them, its just overpowered by evil. In that case, an evil person would have to posses qualities or do things primarily evil, even if they do a few good things.
So if someone was 100% good, and listened to the letter of every person's word, it can cause some trouble. Same thing is someone was 100% evil, its obvious that they would have no remorse for evil actions, can live with themselves and they are pretty much a programmed machine, with no feelings. So you can achieve the same effect by having too much of one side. Without evil there is no good but without good there is no evil.
Realistically speaking, i doubt very many people would be 100% good. Just imagine if people listened to everything that every single person said, aside from constructive criticism or important things to improve yourself. That would mean that if someone says to go jump off a bridge, you would listen and jump off. A good person doesn't have to go to that extreme where, they do exactly as everyone tells them to, but they should be able to think of the greater good and think for themselves. Some people may seem like they are 100% evil by horrendous crimes they may have committed but who's to say behind closed doors, they can't live with themselves? Even if it is a bit of remorse of some sort, they still have a bit of goodness inside of them, its just overpowered by evil. In that case, an evil person would have to posses qualities or do things primarily evil, even if they do a few good things.
So if someone was 100% good, and listened to the letter of every person's word, it can cause some trouble. Same thing is someone was 100% evil, its obvious that they would have no remorse for evil actions, can live with themselves and they are pretty much a programmed machine, with no feelings. So you can achieve the same effect by having too much of one side. Without evil there is no good but without good there is no evil.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Nature of evil
Evil is when a person's feelings of anger, hate, disgust, fear drive them to execute actions which can cause harm to themselves but more specifically other people. Psychopaths are one example of evil people, and they lack empathy which basically means they will do anything including killing people without feeling any remorse. In my belief, behind an evil person can lie some good, but the good inside of them is overpowered by the feelings listed earlier such as: anger, hate, disgust and fear. I would describe this as a shadow or wall which is blocking the good inside them, and it is hard to break through it. However, the subject of "evil" gets tricky when mentally unstable people murder someone and the suspect did not know what they were doing.
Sometimes some one's actions or attitude can be a defence mechanism in order to present themselves as stronger or bigger. In reality behind closed doors, the person is actually a mess and constantly in tears. A broken person, who is depressed and down and under with their life and ready to explode. The person may be good in someways, but they essentially let their evil feelings or thoughts take over them. Soon enough, the evil became the person and most of their actions are dictated by evil morals. It is more easier to be "evil" than "good" morally. It is understandable why many people are evil in this world, there are various reasons.
Sometimes we can't comprehend some people's actions, such as the killing of Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. I believe that murder is murder but when someone does it intentionally vs. doing it due to schizophrenia, the cases are looked at differently. Parents of murder victims do feel anger, but they may (they may not) feel differently if someone killed someone on purpose or did not know what they were doing. Certain parents may feel "why my son/daughter?" In a schizophrenic case versus more anger in a premeditated murder case.
Sometimes some one's actions or attitude can be a defence mechanism in order to present themselves as stronger or bigger. In reality behind closed doors, the person is actually a mess and constantly in tears. A broken person, who is depressed and down and under with their life and ready to explode. The person may be good in someways, but they essentially let their evil feelings or thoughts take over them. Soon enough, the evil became the person and most of their actions are dictated by evil morals. It is more easier to be "evil" than "good" morally. It is understandable why many people are evil in this world, there are various reasons.
Sometimes we can't comprehend some people's actions, such as the killing of Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba. I believe that murder is murder but when someone does it intentionally vs. doing it due to schizophrenia, the cases are looked at differently. Parents of murder victims do feel anger, but they may (they may not) feel differently if someone killed someone on purpose or did not know what they were doing. Certain parents may feel "why my son/daughter?" In a schizophrenic case versus more anger in a premeditated murder case.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
What is the nature of good?
What makes a good person?
A person will prove themselves as "good" through their actions. Knowing what is right and wrong, and having a strong sense of morality. The individual won't intentionally hurt and tear someone apart emotionally or physically to make themselves look better or for fun. A "good" person does not have to be 100% saint and hurt some one's feelings by being too truthful. For example, telling someone that their friend had made some harsh comments about them. Although, telling the truth is good, it is actually hurtful when you go around telling people what other people said about them. It is probably better for the people who made the comments, to tell the person themselves, in a respectful way. One other case is when a wife asks her husband, "did you cheat on me?" The husband replies, "no, i didn't" The husband was telling the truth and had never cheated, however a couple weeks later he goes to a bar. At the bar is a beautiful woman, and they both start talking to each other and flirting. His wife's friend happens to also be at the bar and later tells his wife that he was talking and laughing with another lady. In the wife's mind, this is cheating and in truth he never had any physical relations with her, besides just flirting. So in the wife's eyes she sees something else in comparison to what he saw. All of this because, a friend went out of her way and told his wife that she saw him talking to another woman. So in other words, the husband was telling the half truth but it wasn't the full story, the wife would see.
A "good" person would also live by a certain number of principles or rules individually speaking. They may be selective in what they say to certain people, or understand where different people are coming from, in terms of personality or attitude. They can interact and choose different ways of communication with different people. You may want to talk to a boisterous person differently than, a person who is more shy or soft spoken. All this relates, to consideration of another person's feelings and some sort of respect. In terms of respect, a "good" person will treat people impartially, and get along with many people through respect. This doesn't mean the person has to do certain evil things to get respect, but the way they treat others will determine how others feel about them. So that way, many people will have great things to say about you and for the great attitude you have. It is clear some people may not like a "good" person, no matter how "good" they are. However, the person with the greater good will step up and not be the same like a person who treats them badly. They will not stoop down to their level, in order to prove a point but they will stand out in character.
Consistency is also important, because they can do a variety of good things and be involved with positive activities. However, they can still be doing evil things as a double life. A "good" person would be consistent with what they stand for and wouldn't do half one thing and half another. It's like having a leader of a nation which steals money but tells other people not to steal. This would be hypocritical, so consistency is important because someone may be looking up to them as a "good" person and they need to set the right example.
A person will prove themselves as "good" through their actions. Knowing what is right and wrong, and having a strong sense of morality. The individual won't intentionally hurt and tear someone apart emotionally or physically to make themselves look better or for fun. A "good" person does not have to be 100% saint and hurt some one's feelings by being too truthful. For example, telling someone that their friend had made some harsh comments about them. Although, telling the truth is good, it is actually hurtful when you go around telling people what other people said about them. It is probably better for the people who made the comments, to tell the person themselves, in a respectful way. One other case is when a wife asks her husband, "did you cheat on me?" The husband replies, "no, i didn't" The husband was telling the truth and had never cheated, however a couple weeks later he goes to a bar. At the bar is a beautiful woman, and they both start talking to each other and flirting. His wife's friend happens to also be at the bar and later tells his wife that he was talking and laughing with another lady. In the wife's mind, this is cheating and in truth he never had any physical relations with her, besides just flirting. So in the wife's eyes she sees something else in comparison to what he saw. All of this because, a friend went out of her way and told his wife that she saw him talking to another woman. So in other words, the husband was telling the half truth but it wasn't the full story, the wife would see.
A "good" person would also live by a certain number of principles or rules individually speaking. They may be selective in what they say to certain people, or understand where different people are coming from, in terms of personality or attitude. They can interact and choose different ways of communication with different people. You may want to talk to a boisterous person differently than, a person who is more shy or soft spoken. All this relates, to consideration of another person's feelings and some sort of respect. In terms of respect, a "good" person will treat people impartially, and get along with many people through respect. This doesn't mean the person has to do certain evil things to get respect, but the way they treat others will determine how others feel about them. So that way, many people will have great things to say about you and for the great attitude you have. It is clear some people may not like a "good" person, no matter how "good" they are. However, the person with the greater good will step up and not be the same like a person who treats them badly. They will not stoop down to their level, in order to prove a point but they will stand out in character.
Consistency is also important, because they can do a variety of good things and be involved with positive activities. However, they can still be doing evil things as a double life. A "good" person would be consistent with what they stand for and wouldn't do half one thing and half another. It's like having a leader of a nation which steals money but tells other people not to steal. This would be hypocritical, so consistency is important because someone may be looking up to them as a "good" person and they need to set the right example.
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