Now, let us discuss about the Basis for Truth. One of our readers asked me,
If we cling to the notion of “Who We Are” and “Who We Choose to Be” and as you say and there is no such thing as “right” and “wrong”, “good” and “bad”, who then could we assure ourselves that it is what we want to be? I mean, how could we decide if there is no moral compass?
Well, I would like to clarify some things. First, when I mentioned that there is no such thing as “right/wrong”, “good/bad”, I was referring to God. But then, in our case, we do have “right/wrong”, “good/bad”… but it is “in relation to” something. Let me explain: Is going around the streets wearing nothing — bad? Well, I believe no one (individually) will say it is bad. But “in relation to” the society, then it is bad. See what I mean?
I believe the question our reader asked can be generalized to: “What is our basis for truth? The basis for “right” and “wrong”, “good” and “bad”?”
The answer is pretty straightforward and simple. The basis is our soul. To be more precise, our inner feelings. When we do something, we experience a feeling. That feeling will determine whether or not what we did was “good” or “bad”, “right” or “wrong”. If we feel good about something, then its good. Otherwise, its bad. =) Thats just how it is. Unfortunately, there is one setback here. Sometimes, we mistake our feelings for our thoughts. They are thoughts disguised as feelings. I will go further into this next time (An entry about Truth).
You asked me: “Who then could we assure ourselves that it is what we want to be?” – the answer is you. If you feel good, then great! If not, then you can always change to become “Who You Choose To Be”.
Now, going back to the question about a “moral compass”. Yes, it is indeed important to have a basis/point of reference. And that is what life is all about. Life is all about relationships. To be more precise, we get to experience ourselves by relating with others. We get to know “fun” by knowing “boring”. We get to know “happiness” by knowing “sadness”. We get to know “love” by knowing “heartbrokenness”. Same goes with our decisions… if we know “bad”, then we will know “good” and if we really want to be “good”, then we simply choose to be “good”. =) As simple as that.
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June 18, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Wrestling God
Good point Deryk =) If we feel good about something, then it’s good. However, we humans are still influenced by the external force. Think of the laws, I mean the laws that dictate whether something is legally right or wrong. Most of the time, we humans do not differentiate between the two, e.g. what is legally wrong is also morally wrong which is not always the case. So is it ok to do something good (based on what you feel) without considering the legal ramifications? I can’t think of an example right now but let’s just assume it is good but you know it is legally wrong.
June 18, 2007 at 9:08 pm
rachelle
Is doing something that harms other people but feels good to you considered “good”?
been taking up international law and one of the debates on morality and legality was the human rights thingy. (very academic of me whehehe, ‘thingy’) Is it ok for a country to intervene on another country’s domestic problems when it is already committing acts of human rights violation? There is the country’s sovereignty to consider…
Like when you give candies to a kid. It made you feel good because you made the kid feel good but eating candies actually harmed him by giving him cavities or other teeth problems…
to wrestling god: I can think of an example
after rereading what I’ve typed I’m starting to think the concept that was being pertained to in the blog does not apply to a group of people acting as a whole…
June 18, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Master Deryk
Alright, before everything else, I would like to thank our first two readers who posted comments for this post. Thank you very much. =)
Anyway, let me answer Wrestling God’s question first. He asked me if “it is ok to do something good (based on what you feel) without considering the legal ramifications?”
Rachelle cited an example for his question. She used “human rights” as an example. Where the conflict is between “morality” and “legality”.
Now, for my answer… well, we all know that we live in a world where there are rules. And as “citizens”, we really have no choice but to abide by those rules or face the consequences. Regarding “right” or “wrong”, anything against the law is considered “wrong” with respect to the law. But with respect to God, there are no “right” and “wrong”. So pretty much, what I am saying is that.. if you do something good but its illegal… then you simply get punished by the law, but it doesn’t mean what you did was really “wrong” or “bad” or “evil”. Thats just how society works now. =) If we feel bad about it.. then we can create an awareness such that society (how things work) must change.
Now, going to Rachelle’s questions. Basically she had two:
[1] Is doing something that harms other people but feels good to you considered “good”?
Technically, given the scenario you provided me.. regarding giving candies to kids. I guess what will determine “good” or “bad” should be the primary intention. Don’t you agree? If your primary intention is to make the kids suffer from cavities, then more or less, we can say that it is bad. Otherwise, if your primary intention is to simply make the kids happy, then there is nothing wrong with it. =)
[2] Is it ok for a country to intervene on another country’s domestic problems when it is already committing acts of human rights violation? There is the country’s sovereignty to consider…
Again, I would like to say there are no “right” and “wrong”. But we have “right” and “wrong” in relation to something (basis; goal; rules). I cannot answer this one since I don’t really know what should be our basis to consider. =) Sorry.
Hmm… I would like to ask for clarification on Rachelle’s last paragraph. I think I have an idea on what she wants to tell, but I may be wrong. =) Can you clarify for me, Rachelle?
June 19, 2007 at 2:39 pm
Wrestling God
Rachelle, good example =) I just come up with a very good example. It did not pop up instantly in my mind because most of us have been doing this without consciously thinking of it’s effects outside themselves — buying pirated media products and downloading torrents. OK, let’s take Deryk’s explanation on giving candies to kids scenario. Say the primary intention is to entertain ourselves by buying and watching pirated media, then there is nothing wrong with it. Period =)
June 19, 2007 at 3:19 pm
Master Deryk
Hi Wrestling God, that is a VERY GOOD example!! And well, I will share my point of view regarding that. As consumers, with regards to the “artist industry”, well, we can say that buying/promoting pirated media is “bad/wrong”. On the other hand, we can say we choose to buy pirated media because it is cheaper (then this justifies the “good/right”). Basing it on God’s perspective, there is no sin, there is no “right” and “wrong”, but what there will be is… consequences.
We can never reject the consequences of our actions. And by promoting, buying, using pirated media… we create a “need” for piracy. And thus the “artist industry” will suffer and eventually, the quality of “entertainment” will drop significantly.
By “creating a need” for pirated media, well, we pretty much doom ourselves of “quality” entertainment. Its just sad that once this happens, we start finding others to blame it on (inflation, poverty, the sellers of pirated stuff).. but then, it is really us who is the cause of all this.
June 22, 2007 at 7:29 pm
kris
well i don’t blame it on the sellers of the pirated stuff, rather on the sellers of the original stuff.
See, if they can sell those stuffs at less than half the price of its original price without purely sacrificing profit–meaning it won’t bring loss, then why don’t they just sell it at such price or a little higher so that it could be a win-win thing…
and oh yeah, piracy helps the underground economy…so it’s not really all “wrong” and so i do agree it’s really more a matter of consequences to the different parties involved in a situation
however,
MasterDeryk said “I guess what will determine “good” or “bad” should be the primary intention. Don’t you agree?”
I don’t….though I can’t think of a specific instance right now…
June 24, 2007 at 6:11 pm
rachelle
hehe. Piracy actually helps by advertising the whatever thing was being pirated. But you’re right, kris. They should just sell the orig at a lower price. =P
June 25, 2007 at 11:04 am
silkenhut
Piracy creates a sense of competition for the original sellers. You get the same quality of the item, perhaps a difference in the packaging, but at a very big difference in price.