Deep Thoughts (Vol 3)
I thought I would pose a question to you guys based on a conversation I had last week. Its a little deep for a weekday so bear with me. :)
The other day I was discussing different cultures with some friends of mine, which lead to a discussion of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” which was published by the UN after WW II. (Yes, these are the things we discuss. Along with literature, zombies, and Nathans drinking habits.)
I do not want to debate the merits or flaws of this document, instead I would like to discuss an underlying concept that came to light. That being “What is the definition of good and evil?”
The discussion started with evil being loosely defined as an act by which one person violates the rights of another. Obvious actions such as theft and murder being at the top on this list. As we continued, I noticed that all of our definitions were similar but there was a question simmering in the back of my mind. Can there really be a Universal absolute for good and evil?
All of us who were debating this premise come from a similar background. We are all US Citizens, we all grew up in law-abiding households, we’re educated in US Schools, ect. So it stands to reason that our moral and ethic views would align, based on common life experience.
But what about the billions of people outside our cultural norms and laws, that have been taught an entirely different set of moral values?
I have lived in several other countries for a time doing humanitarian missions, and have seen things that many here would consider “evil”, but are an accepted part of their society. Concepts such as “An eye for an eye” would be considered vigilantly justice in the US, but in some places it is expected. In fact you would be committing an immoral act if you did not seek retribution or compensation.
This brings me back to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the question I pose to you: Can there ever be an absolute definition of good and evil (aka moral and immoral behavior)? And if so, what culture/religion/law (if any) should it be based on?
Just wanted to pose the question because it was on my mind. Hope it’s not too deep for a Wednesday. :)
The other day I was discussing different cultures with some friends of mine, which lead to a discussion of the “Universal Declaration of Human Rights” which was published by the UN after WW II. (Yes, these are the things we discuss. Along with literature, zombies, and Nathans drinking habits.)
I do not want to debate the merits or flaws of this document, instead I would like to discuss an underlying concept that came to light. That being “What is the definition of good and evil?”
The discussion started with evil being loosely defined as an act by which one person violates the rights of another. Obvious actions such as theft and murder being at the top on this list. As we continued, I noticed that all of our definitions were similar but there was a question simmering in the back of my mind. Can there really be a Universal absolute for good and evil?
All of us who were debating this premise come from a similar background. We are all US Citizens, we all grew up in law-abiding households, we’re educated in US Schools, ect. So it stands to reason that our moral and ethic views would align, based on common life experience.
But what about the billions of people outside our cultural norms and laws, that have been taught an entirely different set of moral values?
I have lived in several other countries for a time doing humanitarian missions, and have seen things that many here would consider “evil”, but are an accepted part of their society. Concepts such as “An eye for an eye” would be considered vigilantly justice in the US, but in some places it is expected. In fact you would be committing an immoral act if you did not seek retribution or compensation.
This brings me back to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and the question I pose to you: Can there ever be an absolute definition of good and evil (aka moral and immoral behavior)? And if so, what culture/religion/law (if any) should it be based on?
Just wanted to pose the question because it was on my mind. Hope it’s not too deep for a Wednesday. :)