Lets say you had a magical device that allowed you to change everyone you tapped it with to good. And I mean real good, the sort of good that is very difficult to describe. The sort that is less a way of life, and more an angle through which the world is seen.
Now, would it be evil to use it on people who were clearly evil, like terrorists, or drug-dealers, or criminals who commit evil acts? You're forcing something upon them, changing their lives utterly, baisically playing god.
But it would be for good. You could make the world an indefinably better place. But just because its' good, does that justify the means?
I think it would be a good act. Sod peoples' rights, if it creates a better world with the merest wave, I'll be tapping every human in reach. This is what we call the greater good. What about you? What do you think defines wether an act is evil or not, the ends or the means?
Free will, Dolash. It's our most sacred of freedoms, and thankfully one that cannot be taken away. Not by any magical device, at any rate.
But I ought to point out that terrorists are not "evil" per say. Evil is a term we use to describe them, just as they use words to describe us. Yes, much of what they do is dirty and wrong, but that does not make it "evil".
Many of those we call terrorists believe themselves to be doing the Lord's work, and their actions to be part of a Holy War against true Evil - a Capatalist enemy that cares more for profit than its citizens.
To answer your question, Dolash, It depends on your definition of evil.
If you say that evil is violating or infringing on another's rights or "free will" (as if), then everyone is evil.
That most people breath is a violation of my right to live in a moron free society. By rights, they should all die. But then, that cannot happen without violating their rights to live in a moronic society.
Catch-22.
So it comes down to this....
Whoever is stronger is whose definition we'll use.
So if you have a magic stick... you'd be pretty damn strong..
Well, my definition of good is someone who not only lives without doing things that will cause harm (wether physical, emotional, or financial) to others for personal benefit, but is prepared (to some extent) to suffer harm in some way so to aide others.
And free-will is nice, but to be frank I think making everyone good and creating world peace is a value I place well above someone's right to choose. It is pretty much the only thing I'd put above it, but its' there.
Besides, would it really create some new sort of evil? No, because as a good person people would be understanding and respectful of each other, and as such would not stoop to violence or threats to work out differences.
And saying you have the right to live in a moron-free society is rather, um, not-good, because no you don't. People, in my eyes, deserve all rights that allow them to do what they want with their lives, so long as it would not undesirably interfere with other's rights. You have the right to free speech and are free to put up books for sale expressing them, but don't try and corner someone on the street and force them to hear you out.
So, if I understand you correctly, as long as I don't cause physical, emotional, or financial harm to others for personal benefit, I am good? What about causing that kind of harm for another's own good? Is that good?
What I am saying, Dolash is that "good" is a matter of perspective. What is good to someone else may not be good to you. Therefore it comes down to who's will is stronger and who can "enforce" their perspective...
So you are saying that evil is only limited to acts of violence?
Who are you to tell me what rights I have and what rights I don't? That's like saying: "and you saying you have the right to live is rather, um, not-good, because no, you don't." Who decides these intangible rights?
What constitutes undesirable interference?
I said, Moron, Dolash.....not Mormon..
lol..
*sees Dolash surrounded by 20 Mormon girls holding him down chanting, "read our pamphlet"*
You know, Dolash, if you don't want to hear them you can walk away...lol...
