Is there more good or evil in the world

[Lao Tzu]

What better place to discuss this than a fitness board.

I'd vote good by far. Progress in fighting disease, poverty, illness, oppression, ignorance, etc. is constantly growing. The number of oppressed, poor, sick, ignorant, etc. people is constantly going down and has been for several decades. Plus there is all the personal good like the support families and friends give each other. Naturally there is alot of evil, but it seems to be dimishing with time. As peoples lives become easier and more enjoyable (due to technology) they become happier and more empathetic, probably following Maslows heirarchy of needs. Happy, empathetic people are not nearly as evil individually or collectively as disgruntled, angry, oppressed people.

I'd guess good outweighs evil by about 5 to 1.

 

[jackangel]

i'd put the ratio at closer to 6:1, personally. but yes, if there were more bad than good, i have a feeling this world would be unbearably hellacious.

 

[Lao Tzu]

i'd put the ratio at closer to 6:1, personally. but yes, if there were more bad than good, i have a feeling this world would be unbearably hellacious.

Nice. I was afraid I was being optimistic with my 5:1 ratio.

 

[hanselthecaretaker]

Yeah there's definitely more good in the world, but we only seem to hear more of the bad. That's why it may seem like it's very close between the two. Of course, every person is still capable of evil. I think there would be chaos if there were more evil people than good people.

 

[digimon7068]

Yeah there's definitely more good in the world, but we only seem to hear more of the bad. That's why it may seem like it's very close between the two. Of course, every person is still capable of evil. I think there would be chaos if there were more evil people than good people.

I think it's getting pretty close at this point. . .there's an ass-load of chaos and uncertainty in the world right now and most of it is the result of evil in one form or another.

 

[Lao Tzu]

I think it's getting pretty close at this point. . .there's an ass-load of chaos and uncertainty in the world right now and most of it is the result of evil in one form or another.

Much of the true evil in the world is due more to a handful of politicans more than humanity in general. It only takes a handful of politicans to wreak havoc for millions of people. Stalin for example, once he died life int he USSR improved dramatically.

 

[heatherrae]

Thank God, I think there is more good than evil out there. =-)

 

[digimon7068]

Much of the true evil in the world is due more to a handful of politicans more than humanity in general. It only takes a handful of politicans to wreak havoc for millions of people. Stalin for example, once he died life int he USSR improved dramatically.

In my line of work I regularly see people screwing their own damn mother for a few bucks. . .it's shameful. . .there's plenty evil among the rank and file.

 

[bw1]

More good by far. I'd say way more then 5 to 1.

 

[Lao Tzu]

In my line of work I regularly see people screwing their own damn mother for a few bucks. . .it's shameful. . .there's plenty evil among the rank and file.

What line of work is that? Law enforcement?

People can be pretty evil on a personal level, I'll agree. Overall the good outweighs the bad though.

 

[digimon7068]

What line of work is that? Law enforcement?

People can be pretty evil on a personal level, I'll agree. Overall the good outweighs the bad though.

Nah. I'm a numbers guy and I do a fair amount of litigation support work. I've seen families completely fall apart over amounts of money that most of us would blow during a good vacation. As many times as I've seen it, it never ceases to amaze me.

Yes. The good does outweigh the evil. Unfortunately, it's probably not 5:1.

 

[samoth]

Good and evil are defined by a society. Crap, wait. Is this the philosophy forum? lol

 

[PICK3]

Nice. I was afraid I was being optimistic with my 5:1 ratio.

I'm optimistic ... when the levees broke I seen my city as half full

 

[Lao Tzu]

I'm optimistic ... when the levees broke I seen my city as half full

LMAO.

 

[PICK3]

LMAO.

What's up man? I still haven't read those 2 books you recommended "The Moral Animal" and "The Blank Slate".

Still sitting on my desk ... been taking computer courses online, no spare time for recreational reading now

 

[biteme]

My near death experience makes me want to be a better man. Don't know if I can, but I'd like to try. I'm just being myself, but being yourself is not always good.

 

[Lao Tzu]

What's up man? I still haven't read those 2 books you recommended "The Moral Animal" and "The Blank Slate".

Still sitting on my desk ... been taking computer courses online, no spare time for recreational reading now

I'm doing ok. Moral animal is great when you get the chance to read it. What are you taking computer courses for, job training?

Biteme - you always seem at war with the world. PErhaps trying to find ways to coexist peacefully is something you can use this latest experience as motivation to look into. When you are on your deathbed are you going to be comfortable feeling like you spent your life at war with everyone?

 

[biteme]

Biteme - you always seem at war with the world. PErhaps trying to find ways to coexist peacefully is something you can use this latest experience as motivation to look into. When you are on your deathbed are you going to be comfortable feeling like you spent your life at war with everyone?

No. I thought about that as I was slipping away. I regretted it. You can always fight with people, or you can choose to do something good. I don't know what to do, but I'm gonna try and figure it out.

 

[pin]

One word. Africa!

 

[Lao Tzu]

No. I thought about that as I was slipping away. I regretted it. You can always fight with people, or you can choose to do something good. I don't know what to do, but I'm gonna try and figure it out.

You are still relatively young, 41 is not really that old. Even with modern technology you still have another 42 years of life ahead of you, realistically you can probably expect at least 50-60 more years to figure out what it is you need to do.

 

[dutchman063]

way more good... alot of the media makes it seem worse than it really is

 

[UA_Iron]

people in the Congo have a different opinion.

 

[H_T_]

..........evil is always undone by its own appetite.

 

[dutchman063]

people in the Congo have a different opinion.

have them post up

 

[Lao Tzu]

people in the Congo have a different opinion.

Their war recently ended. Nobody said evil didn't exist, just that it isn't dominant in life. In the time the Congo war has been going on about 500 million new people on earth obtained clean water and sanitation.

 

[JayC9]

Good question. It's refreshing to hear a positive view because whatever your standards for 'good' and 'evil' are, wickedness and the negative aspects of life definitely get more press. Personally, I honestly don't know but I think most people would agree that there is more good than evil in the world. Ratios, if we were talking forces I'd guess the power ratio might be closer than 5:1 but still in favour of good.

 

[Trojan Horse]

I think that there is more bad and/or evil in this world. We are all not without sin.

 

[Wulfgar]

the majortiy of people are in egocentricity in this world...animal concioussness
below that is defilement(the lowest levels of which are evil)
above egocentricity is pentitance, humility and acceptance(all transitional phases) and up on into accountability
i beleive that we are all evolving upwards @ our own pace. And it is obvious that more and more of humanity is operating @ levels above evil and defilement of life

 

[JayC9]

the majortiy of people are in egocentricity in this world...animal concioussness
below that is defilement(the lowest levels of which are evil)
above egocentricity is pentitance, humility and acceptance(all transitional phases) and up on into accountability
i beleive that we are all evolving upwards @ our own pace. And it is obvious that more and more of humanity is operating @ levels above evil and defilement of life

Inherent selfishness could be construed as evil if it is detrimental to society, some might say it is the root of all evil. Again it depends on your standard. I can’t think of any standard that exists outside the conscious mind so how does one quantify good and evil?