What distinguishes something good from bad?

Did you read the contents of the question?

Well, from my perspective (which is a sociopath’s, keep in mind) good and bad don’t exist. “Good/Moral” is merely the society’s pitiful attempt to keep a modicum of law and order, while “Bad/Immoral” is a term meant to make people shy away from certain actions and thought. Now on a “is that pie good or bad term” it’s more wether you like something (good) or don’t like something (bad). Those are my thoughts…I know they’re kind of odd.

My thoughts on this question lean more towards Kant’s statement on lack of fear or negative consequences. In my Psych class we asked about normality and abnormality, what makes something/someone normal?

The answer was that “there is no such thing as truly normal or abnormal. It all depends on how the majority [of people] react.”, quoting my teacher.

I still lean toward Kant to say that moral beliefs are those that do not create negative thoughts in your mind.

I would have to agree with Aristotle and Kant… and disagree with the hedonistic take. The hedonist has formulated their concept upon the more basic functioning reptilian complex of the brain which only weighs decisions based on the pleasure/pain reactions. Kant and Aristotle have both hit on a truth that the selfless nature they described as fundamentally good is based on the higher functioning neomammalian complex. Good would have no relationship to reward… it would be independent of reward or punishment. This is a quality associated with the higher reasoning inherent to the higher functioning brain

I suppose the concept is subjective… inasmuch as it is an anthropocentric concept. Being that the mind or at least the minds of most everyone reading the question… I think… would also be anthropocentric… then defining good in an objective sense… wouldn’t be incorrect.

Do you believe there’s a sort of an existentialist moral in humans?

I come at most things from a solipsistic standpoint… so dissecting reality is almost a moot point to me. I have no idea where the subjective and objective mind diverge… if they do… or if anything other than my subjective reality exists. In my mind… i know what is moral… and that is as I have proffered… the take provided by Kant and Aristotle. I can’t really decipher existentialism in the reality of my singular mind… though i suppose… on another level… that is an endorsement of it. I don’t know… sh!t be deep… too deep.

There is no good or bad,they are just other words for what some view as right and wrong. Its all about what seems to work ,what keeps things nicely flowing, is what is good…interupt the flow ,and its bad….aid the flow and your doing good…works ok but who ever tipped the jug in the first place to allow the flow,aint pouring it so well,so it will never work until the pourer can be automated and joins the rest of us…then everything flows good.

Society and perception determines the view of what is good or bad. Remember it was ok to marry at 14 even if the guy was in his 20s or 30s. Now its almost a sin - As times change so do our morals and the perception of good and bad - I think its more of an individual social (community) decision.

i’d say i have to agree Leonora. those thoughts are odd

i agree to a certain degree with Greg. “As times change so do our morals and the perception of good and bad.” but i’d also say that anything you do with the intention of causing harm, or the knowledge thereof and doing it anyway is bad (evil) and anything that debases yourself or others is immoral. but then again, good/evil and moral/immoral is like beauty…it is in the eye of the beholder

Communist!

derr didda ya red it?…I know its confusing but get your helper to read it to you again…and then you will know just how pathetic your reply is…Witch.

Thats “The Big Bad Witch” to you young man!! ;- ) Yes. I read it. I’m a Photojournalist and published author. I don’t have a “helper.” I have a personal assistant. And the “communist” thing was just a small joke. I apologize if you didn’t find it funny.

I get ya,and apolagise too for being a grumpy **…and you have got me now thinking communistic ways when i was thinking of a leaderless society or one with out a God type of thing…Communism as far as i know is not actually that bad of an idea is it,its the humans that cant stick to the rules that mess it up and corupt it with greed ect…In discussions else where i have read that in a small village communism works well for all because it can be fairly done …up the scale and its abused and forever more gets a bad name ,is the way i see it .

-_-

Compare it to me & everything looks good.. シ

you’re funny.

Well I told you all that I’m truly effective..

works for me. thanks for the laughs, and goodnight johnboy ;-)

This distinction generally falls back to the common moral-code of a region, group, or society.