Beyond Good and Evil

1/14/2020

My sister and I have been watching a show recently that begs the question, what makes a human truly good or evil? In the show the character does a lot of questionable things that should make us hate him but he also does a lot of good which makes it to where the audience does not hate him and in fact begin to root for him.
Many psychopaths gain a lot of empathetic supporters almost like a fan base. A popular example of this is when women would come to Ted Bundy’s court hearings dressed to fit his profile. There are also many prisoners who receive love letters from those they have never met. These are fairly extreme examples but it makes me question what makes someone likable. Ted Bundy a serial rapist and murderer had a following but there are other people who do those same things that are considered to be the most disgusting beings alive.
My questions for you guys are, what makes a human good and what makes them evil? What characteristics do you think make a person liked despite everything they do? What would make you think someone was evil?

Erykah Foss

1/18/2020 06:59:55 pm

The way good and evil are viewed depends on the person. When someone is fond of another person or thing, they call it good. To me, someone is good if they show honesty and respect towards others. These people stand out because they have kindness in their hearts and want to share their time and effort with friends or even strangers. People who seek the pursuit of personal power should be considered evil. One historical figure that demonstrated evil is Adolf Hitler. He killed millions of people for the sake of power. Evil can also take subtle forms, like when Bernie Madoff created a pyramid scheme to scam millions of dollars from others. Not all law-breakers are evil. I do not believe that people who speed on a highway or abuse drugs deserves to have an evil label.

The people who are in love with serial killers are focused on their friendly and funny demeanor. However, they forget that actions speak louder than words. No matter how charming one is, their actions will always show their true intentions.

Kately

1/18/2020 11:33:35 pm

I agree on your statement about law breakers. Most laws are not broken maliciously, just without thinking. What about those who break the laws for the sake of their loved one’s? Like speeding in an emergency, or robbing a gas station to feed one’s family?

Faith

1/19/2020 04:42:39 pm

That is a very good point. Actions are much more important than promises.

Brax Kauffman

1/19/2020 11:59:25 am

I like how you brought up that it depends on the person to consider what is evil and what is good. This is important for people to understand since there is no defining factor for any given circumstance.

Kately

1/18/2020 11:23:20 pm

People are often in a gray area, sometimes closer to either good or evil. People will have actions that define them as good or bad individuals. I’m reminded of a hypothetical; an office worker is reclusive, makes no effort to acknowledge his coworkers, and is rude and arrogant. He is not well liked. However, he makes it a part of his daily routine to feed a stray cat on his way to work. He is selfless to a point. That being said, the amount of selflessness in a person can determine whether or not they are good people. Those who ruin the lives of others for their own benefit are despicable human beings, and live in infamy. Those who set aside their own needs and live selflessly for the people around them are to be treasured. The most notable people in history are remembered for either of these attributes, but most of us will have their high and low moments.

Brax Kauffman

1/19/2020 12:03:18 pm

Do you think that one instance of a person’s life determines if they are good or evil? Or can they be changed even after committing certain acts in either direction?

Madicyn

1/19/2020 08:10:28 pm

I think this entire idea changes on the situation and backstory behind the person. There are actual mental problems that can be thought of, or perhaps there is just a one time evil moment. Evil is also a hard word and idea to swallow, what makes one "evil", if you think about it, perhaps each and every one of us has evil in us, which makes us do the less intense actions of evil.

Tori Weir

1/19/2020 02:42:11 pm

It is interesting how actions can define a person's personality and characteristics easily. Do you think small acts define a person to be good or evil? Or does it have to be something big?

Ezra

1/19/2020 04:17:11 pm

I believe that people will defiantly remember a bad person over a good person because it is so shocking that they are burned into individuals memories.

Brax Kauffman

1/19/2020 11:53:47 am

While good and evil can be broken down pretty basic ideas, a lot of it is also dependent on people’s morals and what they consider to be good and evil. For smaller things such as low level stealing, some people think that is evil because of the dishonesty involved and others do not think much of it because they can see how sometimes that is a person’s last resort. However as the severity increases the grey area in between becomes much smaller. For example, most people consider murder to be an intense act of evil yet there are still those out there who think there is nothing wrong with it. In these situations the only defining thing is that the majority decides what is considered evil and what is good, not the actual act itself.
As far as a person’s like ability. The reason people who have committed terrible acts can still be liked is because in most instances, the people have not been around to actually see the person commit whatever terrible acts they have done. This makes it more difficult for someone to grasp how evil a person is since they have only seen the better side of them.

Tori Weir

1/19/2020 02:39:20 pm

There is always that grey area where people can not decide exactly what makes a person evil or good. As you said, many people have different opinions on this, but what is your opinion on what makes a person evil?

Alyssa Farnworth

1/19/2020 02:46:03 pm

As you stated, there is a grey area. Are there any acts that a person could commit that would make them evil in your eyes forever? Do you think all people can change? I also like what you said about people only seeing the better part of a person. Seeing is believing, there are people in my life that if I were told they did something really horrible, I don’t think I’d be able to believe.

Andy Gebhardt

1/19/2020 03:55:45 pm

The majority of people seem to have a similar view on what is evil and good. I agree with what you said about a gray area because some things can be seen as neither good nor bad. Do you think this is why some court cases deal a certain way?

Ezra

1/19/2020 04:14:53 pm

That actually makes a lot of sense, to hear about something is bad but to actually see it done is a whole other level.

madicyn

1/19/2020 08:07:45 pm

The difficult thing about murder and deciding if it is truly only an evil act, is the intentions behind it. In some cases, it can be mental illness, hate, or other terrible reasons. But, in others, it can be said to be an act of passion or love... does that still make one evil?

Tori Weir

1/19/2020 02:34:23 pm

Nobody is truly evil or truly good because everyone commits both acts. Whether it is mostly good or bad there are always small acts of the other. Everyone has a different opinion on defining a person to be good or evil. Since everyone has different backgrounds and morals, some opinions may vary greatly. Actions are also the easiest way to tell what kind of person they are. For example, if a person steals food to survive does that make them evil? It can be agreed on what the person did was wrong but people understand why they did it. In most acts of crime, there is always a reason why and from there many people can create an opinion on them. They could still be a good person but made a mistake that changed their life drastically. I also believe anyone who is evil can change their life and be good but it is up to them to decide whether they want to or not.
If a person has the intention to harm someone or something to benefit and satisfy themselves then I would consider it evil. However, if someone gives their time and effort for something good then I would consider it a good act. Also if a person is willing to put themselves second simply to help others I believe it makes a good person. Everyone has choices to be good or bad, but it is up to them to decide whether to show which side of it.

Alyssa Farnworth

1/19/2020 02:40:06 pm

I love what you said about no one being truly good or evil. Everyone does something of both qualities. I like your definition of evil as well, mine is very similar.

Andy Gebhardt

1/19/2020 03:52:22 pm

I agree that there are morals that change how people view other. That relates to ethics and personal beliefs. Often, a person knows they are doing something wrong because of their own ethics. Do you think “evil” people view morals and ethics differently?

Sabrina

1/19/2020 05:38:40 pm

If people do both good and bad acts, is it perhaps their thoughts that dictate whether they are good or evil and that is why we can't decide?

Andy Gebhardt

1/19/2020 03:49:38 pm

The difference between good and evil is not a definitive one. Many people regard other as evil because they do not agree with the things they do. Overall, I believe it applies to each individual’s morals and beliefs. There are laws that decide whether a person is a criminal or must face justice but that does not make a person inherently evil.
When it comes to justice, a lot of criminals are good people that have done something wrong and have to pay for it. Being evil applies to some of these people but more to the people that do bad things, do not get caught, and are morally opposite from what is accepted. While it is hard to pinpoint, there is a line of morality and being human that can is crossed when doing certain things. This applies to premeditated murder, intentionally causing harm, and causing pain for the fun of it. There are exceptions but these things show that the majority of people believe they are wrong.

Aiden

1/19/2020 04:34:48 pm

The law is interesting to consider what is really right or wrong. Something that we think may be alright to do could be against the law.

Ezra

1/19/2020 03:49:56 pm

In the movie Joker it shows the origin of the main villain to batman. He starts out as just a regular guy but as bad people harm him and other hardships befall he is pushed to become a murderer. I think that because society hurts him that he becomes evil, so all people start out good. The Joker builds a following because he murders CEO's of a big company and starts a mass revolt amongst the lower class citizens, so he accidentally appealed to the lower class. Anyone who commits huge feliones or only care about themselves are evil to me.

Aiden

1/19/2020 04:36:11 pm

I like your reference to The Joker. It definitely makes you simpsthixe

Aiden

1/19/2020 04:36:48 pm

*Sympathize with him.

Faith

1/19/2020 04:44:43 pm

That is a great example. The Joker movie really captured what it was like to sympathize with someone who does evil things.

Sabrina

1/19/2020 05:41:31 pm

This makes me question whether he could really be evil or not. He was not in his right mind. It also makes me think that we do not choose to be good or evil because of what we want, but rather we get pushed and feel cornered into it in an attempt to get back on our feet.

Kately Cockrell

1/19/2020 06:59:34 pm

I agree, No one ever starts evil in this world. People will behave a certain way when that’s all they’re ever shown. People who are wronged throughout their lives deserve sympathy, but how they handle it determines the sort of person they are.

Aiden

1/19/2020 04:32:38 pm

Everyone deep down desires to do good. Of course the carnal desires of our beings sometimes clouds our desire of good. The “natural” man so to speak wants only pleasure and success for itself. Many things can drive our natural man to take control such as anger, sexual desires, or jealousy. Our whole lives we fight to overcome and tame the natural man. I think this life’s purpose among other things is to gain control of our natural man or selfish desires. This is when we are truly good.

Paige

1/19/2020 04:54:57 pm

So do you think that everyone is born evil and slowly progresses to their best selves?

Faith

1/19/2020 04:41:40 pm

Deciphering whether one is good or evil is a very broad way to characterize a person. I personally think everyone has their good and bad aspects, but still isn’t one or the other. This specifically reminds me of the movies where someone has a devil and an angel on their shoulder as the main person talks to both to decide what to do in complicated situations. Most of the time their in bad situations, and the devil tells them what is easiest and not right, and the angel tells them the harder but better way to handle the situation. This relates to ones own thought process in different situations. Of course all situations vary, but most of the time it includes an easy way out that is not good, or a harder way that is usually the right way. Every person goes through the process of deciding what to do in their own complicated situations.

Paige

1/19/2020 04:53:37 pm

You make a good point with that everyone has good and bad about them, but not specifically categorized in one or the other.

Erykah

1/19/2020 07:00:39 pm

It is interesting to think that each person goes through that decision between bad or good. It makes me wonder about the thought process of a serial killer. What would drive them to choose to kill another?

Paige Hilton

1/19/2020 04:50:46 pm

When I think of good vs. evil I think of fiction and fantasy. Evil is something I do not believe exists. There are people who commit bad and even horrendous acts, but, I would not consider them as evil. I believe that everyone is inherently good and that some are raised in a home or environment that can make them 'bad'. Another problem that results in dangerous behavior is mental. Some individuals who commit unfathomable crimes do it because they do not understand what they are doing, or they do not understand the wrong in their acts. Overall, I could never see someone as evil, just bad in their behavior and acts.

Josephine

1/19/2020 07:43:07 pm

I agree, the environment someone is brought up in shapes the person into who they are today. Someone could take those experiences and use them to help and empower others or get trapped in the cycle and make decisions that are not healthy for themselves or others.

Sabrina

1/19/2020 05:37:07 pm

My comments on this topic are heavily persuaded my my religion. I believe that humans have a natural tendency to want to do good from birth. That is why little kids will do small acts of service and forgive almost as fast as they get mad. As we grow we lose our innocence and start learning that the world is not as kind as a whole as we thought it was. People have to fend for themselves and we start to do what we can to be good to those we love and strangers don't mean much. This world is kill or be killed and sometimes the fear of being killed overrides the the desire to help others survive. I believe that humans do not easily become "evil." When a reasonable person knowingly harms someone or something with no remorse for the pain and suffering caused and with no good intent, they have done something evil. I do not think this happens often. There are people like Hitler who do unthinkable acts, but because I don't know everything that influenced him, I can't put him in that box. The fact that attractiveness affects whether someone is seen as evil or not blows my mind. I can't entertain the thought because that would make them more repulsive to me.

Erykah

1/19/2020 06:54:08 pm

I also don't understand why someone would put aside their morals in the name of what they think is love. Do you think evil people even deserve love after their actions?

Josephine

1/19/2020 07:11:56 pm

I believe that we as humans were all born good. It is the way that life has shaped us and the way we react to situations in life determines what path we follow. The way someone is raised can play into this too. As for people like Ted Bundy, people may have sympathy for him due to the fact some people like him can be viewed as charismatic and charming due to their personalities and possibly their looks. That may cloud the severity of what they have truly done.

madicyn

1/19/2020 08:05:27 pm

I think we all have the option whether to be good or bad people. It is hard to completely determine how exactly this is formed in people, and I also believe there are circumstances that peoples minds are born evil, but in the general public it is an option. We all go through hardships and struggles in our lives, and I believe that is what makes us who we are. Through these hardships though, and how we react to them, determine if we are good or evil. Our mindsets and what we are taught creates us, but each of us have the option to change our futures and work on ourselves if deemed relevant. There are many evil people in our world, but the lack of specific human needs is where I would place the blame. Many evil people do what they do, for the attention and moments it will give them, due to the lack of it when it mattered the most. Some, are just generally sick in the head.

Author

Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.

Author

Write something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview.