Good and Evil; Love and Hate
Posted by: Deane F on 06 October 2005
Unfortunately I am ontologically and ethically uncertain and therefore poised between several different types of insanity - rather like dithering between parallel universes - and forced thereby to constantly entertain doubts as to which one might be the one where a dinosaur (or a Moderator) might eat me if I choose the wrong string; or the right and good universe where I will find the perfect espresso if I choose well.
Anyway, it seems to me that, while a useful word if sparingly used, "evil", as an idea, is best done away with if I am to avoid visiting an inquisition upon my surroundings. And so, therefore, I must abandon the idea of "good" as well. ("Neutral" shall be left resting in a corner for now.)
But then it occurred to me that my romantic ideas of love might just be based on an unquestioned assumption of "good" and that, even if I am successful in forcing my discriminations about behaviour to exist apart from the set of good/evil - well, that I might just be kidding myself. Extending from this, I find that I am forced toward the unpalatable conclusion that, if I do love then (maybe) I might just hate too.
Are there any Jesuits here?
Anyway, it seems to me that, while a useful word if sparingly used, "evil", as an idea, is best done away with if I am to avoid visiting an inquisition upon my surroundings. And so, therefore, I must abandon the idea of "good" as well. ("Neutral" shall be left resting in a corner for now.)
But then it occurred to me that my romantic ideas of love might just be based on an unquestioned assumption of "good" and that, even if I am successful in forcing my discriminations about behaviour to exist apart from the set of good/evil - well, that I might just be kidding myself. Extending from this, I find that I am forced toward the unpalatable conclusion that, if I do love then (maybe) I might just hate too.
Are there any Jesuits here?