http://www.goodversusevil/pensters.comGOOD VERSUS EVIL.

The world today is full of vices. Evil lurks everywhere. As a result, we live in suspicion, trusting only a few and treating everyone else as a potential threat to our well being. That makes me wonder how the human mind works. Could it be that we are evil in nature? That our minds are fashioned that way?

Some religions would suggest that. Christianity for example explains that humans are prone to sin. This happens as a result of Adam and Eve eating the forbiden fruit. However, it is argued that with God we can be righteous. But why is it even the best of religious followers also commit evil? Therefore, religion might not sum up fully what evil is all about.

Good is defined as morally acceptable or virtuous. That brings forth the question: Who sets the standard of what is morally acceptable and what is not. Take state rules for example. The law states that murder is a crime. Hence, morally unacceptable. But the same crime in many countries is punished with the same thing, death of the murderer. It becomes morally accepted the refore that a killer can be killed. Look at another scenario where one kills in self defense. It is not considered murder. As a matter of fact, it is somewhat allowed. That shows that killing can be looked at from different angles and justified in some cases.

In my opinion, what is morally acceptable is not necessarily good. That makes me believe even more that human beings are evil. We hate war. It yields disaster. Children die, women are raped, men cry, there is hunger and everyone lives in fear at such periods. However, at some point, we all consider and accept war as a means to achieve peace. That makes it morally accepted depending on the situation.

I do not claim that what we do is wrong. And as much as I am tempted to say otherwise, man is not evil. Evil is the absence of goodness. Humane is to humans. Despite the cases of inhumane deeds w hear about, there is also so much goodness on earth. There are millions of charitable people, who wake everyday to improve the situation at hand. The feed the hungry, visit the sick, encourage the hopeless, clothe the naked and fight for justice. In addition they show tenderness to animals and take care of the environment.

At this point, the question still remains: Is man good or evil? This is my answer. Man is neither good nor evil. He is merely act driven his greatest instinct.Bigger than the feeling of hunger or thirst, is the instinct of survival. Man will do just about anything to make it through another day. And it is in pursuit of this course, that his good and evil traits come to play.