Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!genrad!decvax!harpo!floyd!vax135!ariel!houti!trc From: trc@houti.UUCP Newsgroups: net.philosophy Subject: Life as basis for good vs evil Message-ID: <307@houti.UUCP> Date: Mon, 20-Jun-83 09:17:26 EDT Article-I.D.: houti.307 Posted: Mon Jun 20 09:17:26 1983 Date-Received: Tue, 21-Jun-83 00:04:12 EDT Lines: 26 For a definition of evil, how about: Without human life, there can be no good or evil - because there would be no one to judge actions or events, and no humans to be effected by them. Since human life is necessary for there to be anything good, and does not require evil to continue, human life is the most fundamental good. (Good is required to continue - see below) Since human life is the most fundamental good, evil is that which is anti-life. Murder, torture, threat of such, are obvious examples. Theft is also evil, since it removes the means of survival and of enjoyment of life (IE of good). Most lying is evil, since it is usually done with some evil intent in mind. (It seems possible to do good by lying - EG lie to someone who has evil in mind.) Since life is the basis for good, anything that supports one's own life without attacking the life of another human is also good. Thus, working for a living is good, where stealing is not. Self defense is good, where attacking another for their money is not. Tom Craver houti!trc