Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community - View Single Post - i can prove that it is impossible to do good

motdakasha · 09-11-2003, 10:07 PM

Okay, these are just my thoughts:

I can almost agree with you 3leggedfrog, but I really don't like absolute statements since there's usually some sort of exception to it. (Except that all humans die and that kind of stuff.) While, I can agree to the fact that most human actions are calculated based on greed and selfishness, I disagree that all (good, or even bad) actions are selfish. I think, while few and far between, truly selfless acts exist.

It seems like one of the biggest arguments with your theory is that you think anything selfish is ultimately the determining factor of a good deed. I disagree with this. I think it's only part of the picture. While it is admittedly only one cultural perspective, the first example I can think of is crime. Let's say truly bad crime is represented by black and innocent of crime is white. First degree murder would be black. Second degree murder would be a dark shade of gray. Third degree (a.k.a. manslaughter) would be gray. While minor crimes would be a light shade of gray and innocent would be white. While intentions change the shade representing "bad deeds," it isn't the only determining factor, it's also the type of deed.

Black (Murder1) -- Dark Gray (Murder 2) -- Gray (Manslaughter) -- Light Gray (Minor crimes) -- White (Innocent)

Where am I getting with this? I think that this continuum can go in the opposite direction. There are white deeds and gray ones. There are black deeds done in the name of good as well. But, I think the extreme ends of the spectrums are not as common as the gray area. I suspect what is going on here is that you've only experienced the gray, and based on your experience, you are not willing to accept the possibility of truly white deeds.

Anyway, it sounds like you're so dead set in your ways, that you aren't really taking into full consideration what others are saying. So I feel my post is a moot point.

09-11-2003, 10:07 PM	#71 (permalink)
motdakasha Hiya Puddin'! Miss me? Location: Silicon Valley, CA	Okay, these are just my thoughts: I can almost agree with you 3leggedfrog, but I really don't like absolute statements since there's usually some sort of exception to it. (Except that all humans die and that kind of stuff.) While, I can agree to the fact that most human actions are calculated based on greed and selfishness, I disagree that all (good, or even bad) actions are selfish. I think, while few and far between, truly selfless acts exist. It seems like one of the biggest arguments with your theory is that you think anything selfish is ultimately the determining factor of a good deed. I disagree with this. I think it's only part of the picture. While it is admittedly only one cultural perspective, the first example I can think of is crime. Let's say truly bad crime is represented by black and innocent of crime is white. First degree murder would be black. Second degree murder would be a dark shade of gray. Third degree (a.k.a. manslaughter) would be gray. While minor crimes would be a light shade of gray and innocent would be white. While intentions change the shade representing "bad deeds," it isn't the only determining factor, it's also the type of deed. Black (Murder1) -- Dark Gray (Murder 2) -- Gray (Manslaughter) -- Light Gray (Minor crimes) -- White (Innocent) Where am I getting with this? I think that this continuum can go in the opposite direction. There are white deeds and gray ones. There are black deeds done in the name of good as well. But, I think the extreme ends of the spectrums are not as common as the gray area. I suspect what is going on here is that you've only experienced the gray, and based on your experience, you are not willing to accept the possibility of truly white deeds. Anyway, it sounds like you're so dead set in your ways, that you aren't really taking into full consideration what others are saying. So I feel my post is a moot point. __________________ =^-^= motdakasha =^-^= Just Google It. BA Psychology & Photography (I'm not going psychoanalyze you nor will I let you cry on my shoulder. Have a nice day.)