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