HELP! It's simple really, just answer two questions for me :)
I have a short writing assignment to due on Monday, January 31, 2011 and figured that you nutters here could help me.
So here's the deal: answers I find to be most helpful will be used for the short writing assignment I need to do.
All I am asking of you to do is answer the following two questions as truthfully as possible, if you do not wish to post your answers here for everyone to see please DO NOT private message me, rather e-mail: capooni.mirshmure.cye.vod@gmail.com
THE QUESTIONS
1. Are you a good person?
2. Why do you think so (or why not)?
THANKS TO ALL WHO HELP :)
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If I read my assignments I would have known that this is actually due Monday, February 7 so if anyone wants to answer the questions still then there is still time :)
Thanks to Via and John for already answering :)
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Why yes, Delta, I believe so.
Why? Because I pay my taxes.
...
... ... just kidding.
I believe that I am one of these 'good persons' that you speak of, because I understand what pain and suffering is, and I try to ensure that no one is burdened by this.
Funny, as I was writing that sentence, I had to pause several times, because I slowly started to realize that I was wrong, to some degree that is. I think it's safer to say I'm a "potentially good" person. I try to stay truthful and honest, but as far as the pain and suffering of others goes, I feel that a lot of instances are out of my reach; Sponsor-a-child, Feed-the-hungry, help-the-homeless... all very real cases that I could assist in, but I CHOOSE to remain detached.
So in short, I feel that I'm a "potentially good" person.
These are really difficult questions because they are so subjective. Am I a good person? That depends on who you ask. Lots of my friends would say that I am. Even my husband would say that, on the whole, I am. But I am not sure. I know the inner me, and my daily battles between doing what I want, and doing the right thing.
What is the right thing to do? Is it the duty I have been taught to think is required of me? Or is the right thing to do anything that will benefit my Id/Ego? Are those, in a civilised Society, one and the same thing? Am I good because I deny myself chocolate, knowing it will make me fat, or am I good because I eat the chocolate, knowing it will make me feel happy (and so spread that happiness around)? When I subjugate my desires in order to help someone else out, I feel good and they think I am good, but is that not just "well-behaved" according to the Society norm? What if I do something I think is good, but it clashes with what Society thinks is good? How do I know that my version of good is more valid than theirs?
To take an extreme example: If I had the courage, I would rescue a person about to be stoned for adultery, thus (by my mores) doing good. But the Society which was about to stone that person to death had perfectly valid reasons for doing so if they believed, whole heartedly, that that was what God demanded they do - that it was a good deed - even righteous.
BTW, I hate it when you ask someone how they are, and they reply "Good". I always think they should answer "Well" or "Fine", as "I'm good" is surely boasting....
and the rabbit lives, and this is good because the rabbit is alive,
and the rabbit dies, and this is good as the fox does not starve.
Who can claim to know the will of the gods hey steff?
I think you've hit the nail on the head!
Thanks to all who answered was truly helpful and insightful :)
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I don't think I'm a good person; not purely good, anyhow. It's within human nature to corrupt to temptation, to hurt those around us and to make bad mistakes. But I try to be the best, actualized person that I can be, to become my potentials. "I'm not a believer in predetermined fates, being rewarded for one's efforts. I'm not a believer in karma. The reason why I try to be a good person is because I think it's the right thing to do. If I commit fewer bad acts, there will be fewer bad acts, and maybe other people will join in committing fewer bad acts, and in time there will be fewer and fewer of them (Daniel Handler)". I think that quote best sums it up for me. I guess what I mean is that, at the end of the day, what's most important is to approach life with an attitude of compassion and forgiveness, for those around us and ourselves as well, and to accept becoming fully human, shortcomings, flaws, past mistakes, and all.
-Via