(8) Experiments III/Puzzles II

[cramschoolgod]

[Sasaki's a little restless thanks to excessive prom talk, and not enough progress with her projects. Well, why not take a break tonight? She decides to make a little call.]

A.) [Phone, standard filter:] I'm curious-- how many of you believe in such a thing as good and evil? And specifically, a natural inclination towards it. Do you think humans

Comments

B

[flameyedhunter]

Another experiment, Sasaki?

[cramschoolgod]

Yes. This one doesn't have much to do with Mayfield, though. That problem seems fundamentally irresoluble.

[flameyedhunter]

Hmmm, what's this one about then?

[cramschoolgod]

It's something I always wanted to test at home. You know how humans have notoriously become adapted to an essentially two-dimensional environment? They consider, perhaps subconsciously, the directions 'up' and 'down' as fundamentally different from the two spatial directions across which they most commonly move.

It's interesting to see whether other animals do the same thing.

A

[vertulpen]

I know you're evil.

[Drawing on his face while he was asleep.]

[cramschoolgod]

It's a distinct possibility, but why would you say that?

[vertulpen]

A hunch.

[cramschoolgod]

What have I done to you, then? [So innocent.]

A

[lunawolves10th]

I certainly -know- there are such things as good and evil. As for the inclination of humanity.... I do not believe we are inclined one way or another towards good or evil. It is a choice of conscience, one that everyone must make for themselves.

[cramschoolgod]

There are such concepts, yes, but can every action be classified into them?

[lunawolves10th]

Not every action, no. But the important ones can be classified as good or evil. My decision between a cheese sandwich and a tuna fish one have little overall effect on the moral environment in which I live. Whereas my choice of whether or not to slay an opponent who is at my mercy will change me, and the world I live in.

[cramschoolgod]

A pragmatic enough viewpoint. However, there are many hypothetical and some real situations which people face which are extremely difficult to consider as having a 'correct' solution. Moral dilemmas, that is. Would you agree with that?

On a certain tangent, Captain, may I ask what your decision would be between a cheese sandwich and a tuna fish sandwich?

[phone]

[riastrad_ridire]

Sure, I believe in it. As for whether or not humans are like that naturally...hell, I don't know. Maybe. Depends on who you're looking at.

[cramschoolgod]

So there are some people who are naturally good, some who are naturally evil, and some who have a choice?

[riastrad_ridire]

Everybody has a choice, kid. But even the perception of good and evil would depend on who specifically you're talking about.

[cramschoolgod]

If that's true, what is the significance of saying such things exist? If no one can agree on what they are, that is.

[iheartcabbage]

Honestly, I used to believe in good and evil. But in the end, it's just a conflict of interests. Those deemed evil think they are good, and vice versa. People will always see those who go against their ideals as the enemy, instead of reaching a compromise or merely accepting each other.

This is why humanity is so flawed.

As far as inclination, humans will naturally do whatever they deem necessary to preserve their own ideals. They are only good or bad in the eyes of others.

[cramschoolgod]

Hm.

Well, that's a rather sweeping statement. I would be careful making such sweeping assertions, myself. As far as I know, that mostly tends to apply to people who have a very specific set of beliefs. That is, only if they have an articulated ideology of their own do they commit to it; and most people do not.

[iheartcabbage]

My apologies. These are obviously only my own opinions gathered, well... through what I've experienced in life so far. I'm probably a little more biased than I should be.

[cramschoolgod]

Oh, no, there's no need to apologize. It's a viewpoint that can be defended, as well. What is it that you've experienced that makes you think that way?