If you have the time...

[Silverstein]

Answer if you can. This isn't for school or assignment, I was simply wondering what opinions could be shared. I will answer myself.

Please only answer the questions, don't argue or debate in this thread someone else's answers.

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink:

It is bitter?

It is sweet?

or

It is rather plain?


2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?


2.a) If you said no to both parts of the above, as in "Life can not be quantified in black and white." and "There is no universal good or evil"; so that you are essentially saying that life is only Cause and Effect, how do you determine right and wrong?


3.) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?


4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?


5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?


6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.


7.) Are you above the law?


8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?


9.) Define life.


10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

 

[Silverstein]

3.) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?

I think history exists as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods, the choices and actions we make are calculable by our personalities. In a sense, what we will do and our possibilities are limited to the point of predictability. History only charts this.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

In a plain sense he is "wrong" because he does what is not considered right. But, at the same time, he felt like doing so, in which case it was right for him. However, when something is taken from us (that we have earned or obtained), we feel the loss. Emotions would dictate, the man is wrong.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

Using the same basis, when given an explanation, often times humans become more forgiving and willing to help. The loss of family is extreme, given the choice between starvation and deliverance, many of us would make the same choice. In that sense, he is right.

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong?

It seems we right laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong. So right and wrong come first, laws are those emotions enforced.

7.) Are you above the law?

No.

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

In that scenario, life is a calculation of the infinite events and infinite possibilities within the realm of an existance. We live as numbers, to be numbers.

9.) Define life.

Answers.com: "The property or quality that distinguishes living organisms from dead organisms and inanimate matter, manifested in functions such as metabolism, growth, reproduction, and response to stimuli or adaptation to the environment originating from within the organism."

By this definition, reality is alive. Existance, is alive.

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

Nothing. In those terms, the concept of you or me is as blank and meaningless as the concept of Tom Sawyer.

 

[The Senator]

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink:

It is bitter?

It is sweet?

or

It is rather plain?

Bitter.

2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?

There is no such thing as a universal good or evil. What we consider good, as well as evil, is subjective to our own collective opinion(s) on the matter.

George W. Bush may consider Mahmoud Ahmadinejad "evil," but the voters in Iran obviously thought differently.

2.a) If you said no to both parts of the above, as in "Life can not be quantified in black and white." and "There is no universal good or evil"; so that you are essentially saying that life is only Cause and Effect, how do you determine right and wrong?

Anything which violates man's natural rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness quantifies "wrong," in my opinion.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

Yes. By stealing a commodity, he has denied the businessman his wage, and thus denied the businessman the right to liberty and perhaps even happiness.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

He is not right, because he has violated the law.

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.

We determine right and wrong by instinct, as well as the laws which have been set before us. We should know instinctively that denying life to someone is a violation of the law; however, if we do not instinctively know this, there are laws on the books which forbid murder.

7.) Are you above the law?

No man is above the law, unless that law infringes on our natural rights. The response, however, must not infringe on others' natural rights.

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

We do not live for anything except for the purposes we hold unto ourselves. We live for whatever we feel we live for. Some feel they live for a higher purpose, whether it is to achieve salvation by a god of some sort; others, such as myself, believe we live for the purpose we set for ourselves. I live for creating change and making our society better, as it is my profession as a field organizer on a campaign, as well as my volunteerism within the GLBT and political community, which has set me on this path.

9.) Define life.

A series of biological, chemical, and physical coincidences.

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

A fictional character is an abstract creation of the mind; a human being is a living, sentient being in the physical world.

 

[Moviefan2k4]

Answer if you can. This isn't for school or assignment, I was simply wondering what opinions could be shared. I will answer myself.

Please only answer the questions, don't argue or debate in this thread someone else's answers.

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink: bitter, sweet, or is it rather plain?

I'd say life can be all of those things, at different times.

2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?

I believe that while the world may not always operate in standards of black and white (especially where morality is concerned), right and wrong were created as absolutes. I believe that God is the epitome of all that is good, and that Satan distorts that, encouraging evil.

2) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?

Time and history are always changing; the only thing set in stone (both literally and figuratively) is the will and law of God for humanity.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

He is a man doing wrong through choice.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

If that which he stole rightfully belonged to another party, and he takes it for himself without permission, it is wrong.

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.

Right and wrong were defined by God at the beginning of time. for every situation, there are right choices and wrong ones. Choosing the correct path is a matter of wisdom from God.

7.) Are you above the law?

No human being is exempt from God's law, and the only provision He made for breaking the laws of man is if they conflicted with His own.

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

Nothing.

9.) Define life.

People have been trying to figure that one out for eons; you expect me to answer it in an online forum?

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

Breath in their lungs, blood in their veins, and free will, just to name a few.

 

[Zephyr Alexian]

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink:

Water

It is bitter?

At first

It is sweet?

Once it swishes around in your mouth for a time, it becomes sweeter.

or

It is rather plain?

Nope, it's not plain, but mitigating circumstances could make it seem that way.

2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?

Quantified? Yes, but I do not believe that quantification would be accepted by everyone.

2.a) If you said no to both parts of the above, as in "Life can not be quantified in black and white." and "There is no universal good or evil"; so that you are essentially saying that life is only Cause and Effect, how do you determine right and wrong?

3.) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?

Right and wrong are always decided by whomever is authoring the history. Have you ever known someone to change history? History is set. The view of history can be changed, but what really happened can never be reversed. Time only moves in one direction. All a person, group, organization, or government can do is change the present which will affect people's future, and ultimately become history.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

In whose eyes? In the eyes of the law, as soon as he steals, he has already been judged by the law that predated his action. He is wrong before said lawmakers and the community that supports them.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

The law has not changed, but the emotional response to his actions might govern a more in depth look at the situations surrounding the theft. The difference is that you asked a general question before; now you've specified it.

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.

The forefathers wrote the constitution based on what they felt was best for this country. Do the laws we have now determine what is best for this country or what is best for a certain few? The questions you asked go both ways: Police officers, Court Judges, and those in positions of authority meet justice out according to a law that has been set as a precedent. This same law, regardless of whichever one it is, was created to ensure a positive effect. Right and wrong surely were at the forefront of the contemplation when the law(s) were created, whether by this country or another one.

7.) Are you above the law?

Was the law made for me, for other people, or for all of us to ensure that we do not impede on the rights of others? Personally, I do not believe that I am.

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

You live for your own pursuit.

9.) Define life.

As a human, plant, or animal? All live, yet the experience differs greatly for each one. As a human, life to me is the realization of it, the usage of the senses to experience and appreciate it, and the liberty to use it in a beneficial way.

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

Fictional characters have a creator or an author and are not a living part of reality. Fiction cannot breathe, taste, touch, see, or hear, but it can influence. Aptly put, humans can create fiction, but fiction cannot create at all.

Humans are also much more complex.

 

[Majic Walrus]

Answer if you can. This isn't for school or assignment, I was simply wondering what opinions could be shared. I will answer myself.

Please only answer the questions, don't argue or debate in this thread someone else's answers.

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink:

It is bitter?

It is sweet?

or

It is rather plain?

Life is like Gin and Tonic. It tastes pretty smooth, but day after day of nothing but Gin and Tonic eventually you'll die.

2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?

There is no universal constants at all. Good and Evil are simply terms that we apply to actions as we percieve them.

2.a) If you said no to both parts of the above, as in "Life can not be quantified in black and white." and "There is no universal good or evil"; so that you are essentially saying that life is only Cause and Effect, how do you determine right and wrong?

Yes, life is cause and effect. The ends can justify the means. You obligatorily determine right and wrong based on the social norms.

3.) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?

Our perceptions change the course of history.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

No.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

No. Not necessarily, although I'd probably like him more.

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.

We determine right and wrong based on perceptions.

7.) Are you above the law?

The only authority law has over us is based on the social norms. However that law should be followed by everyone and no one should consider themselves above it. The law does not determine right or wrong, good or evil it simply determines order or chaos.

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

Survival.

9.) Define life.

A series of events that we percieve.

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

Nothing seperates the concept.

 

[Lord Valumart]

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink:

It is bitter?

It is sweet?

or

It is rather plain?

kinda meh...depends on the brushing of the teeth of life i suppose...

2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?

no, but yes

2.a) If you said no to both parts of the above, as in "Life can not be quantified in black and white." and "There is no universal good or evil"; so that you are essentially saying that life is only Cause and Effect, how do you determine right and wrong?

don't think this appiles to me

3.) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?

history is writen by the winners, always has been always will. so right and wrong do not affect history, history affects what was right and wrong.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

depends on why he stole, for fun/to be cool/etc yes, wrong. but if he stole food to survive then no.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

again depends what is stolen

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.

there is an all knowing psychic bond that we are bron into at birth that tells us what perfection is, what good is, what evil is, that vader is luke's father, etc...

7.) Are you above the law?

no one is above the law

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

we live to set those forces in motion

9.) Define life.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/life

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

this one confused me thus i shall not answer it.

 

[JoeCat]

1.) What do you consider represents life best, if life is a drink:

It is bitter?

It is sweet?

or

It is rather plain?

Life is subject to individual tastebuds.

2.) Given the concept of "Good" and "Evil", do you agree that life can be quantified in such black and white terms? If not, is there a universal good or universal evil?

Good and evil are points of view, in my opinion.

[YT]XUXWTaAwo_c[/YT]

2.a) If you said no to both parts of the above, as in "Life can not be quantified in black and white." and "There is no universal good or evil"; so that you are essentially saying that life is only Cause and Effect, how do you determine right and wrong?

Through a system of morals, ethics, principles, and ideals that have been developed over my lifetime. The only person I feel I truly have to answer to at the end of the day, is myself. (not to say that I don't care or think about others opinions of my actions)

3.) Do right and wrong change the course of history, or does history exist as an abstract notion used only as a representation of time periods? So can history be changed because of who we are and what we do, or is it already set because of who we are and what we do?

History can not be changed. It's just a book with more chapters being written every second of every day. If I chose to not reply to this post, my life as well as the life of whoever reads these words would somehow be different. But, am I changing history by writing these words. Maybe. Or maybe i'll delete them all once I'm done responding. Only time will tell.

4.) If a man knows of law, and in this law stealing is illegal, and he steals is he a wrong man?

What's the law? Who's law is it? Is he breaking the law out of disrespect, survival, ignorance, or otherwise? There are too many variables.

5.) If the above man steals for family, is he then right? What makes the difference, if any?

see above.

6.) Do we determine right and wrong because of laws, or do we write the laws based on a greater sense of right and wrong? I realize this question could contradict other questions above. Please answer anyway.

You determine right and wrong based on how you determine right and wrong. It's individual. What matters to one, does not matter to all.

7.) Are you above the law?

I hate that phrase. Nobody is above law, but not everybody is "wrong" for disobeying it. If you knowingly break a law, you should be prepared to accept the consequences. But, that doesn't mean you were necessarily wrong for doing so. I think that made sense. lol

8.) If we assume right and wrong, good and evil do not exist. That life is merely cause and effect, what would you say we live for?

To reproduce, contribute to the colony, and die.

9.) Define life.

see above.

10.) Regardless of religious beliefs (and please don't discuss them), if God (of any culture or religious background) does not exist and there is no creationism or intelligent creation behind existance, what seperates the concept of humans from fictional characters?

I don't understand creationism or the question enough to have an opinion, unfortunately.