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Good and Bad

In our real and imaginary worlds, there is good and bad. But what does it mean?

Although not as clear-cut in all circumstances as some people might like, their use is valid. They offer a philosophical and ethical view of things, society, culture, and ideas, as well as providing a starting point for discussions on values and principles.

Our understanding of good and bad is frequently quite tenuous. People have a tendency to be lazy when it comes to the correct use of terms, so desirable becomes good and undesirable becomes bad. Of course, they aren’t necessarily the same.

For example, graffiti artists may think that what they do is good. In contrast, citizens who detest graffiti might see their work as being bad. Of course, it isn’t necessarily either. It’s pretty simple. Some people may consider what Banksy does to be bad. But, personally, I think that many times, what he does is good because there are positive moral dimensions to much of his work. Desirable? Maybe not. That, in my view, is a question of opinion and bias. But is graffiti in public places generally desirable? Not for me, but does that make it intrinsically bad? Again, not for me.

So, is undesirable a synonym for bad? Well, no, of course it isn’t. Bad is not simply undesirable, and good is not simply desirable. To confuse these terms, in my opinion, is a mistake, an error and a postmodern malady.

Desire is a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen. It has little to do with good or bad. The same is true for when we don’t desire something when something is unwanted.

It is said that the concepts of good and bad are subjective (that is, based on or influenced by personal feelings, tastes, or opinions) and often depend on the context, perspective, and values ​​of the person, culture or society evaluating them. But the key word here, or the weasel word, depending on your point of view, is ‘often.’ The idea that bad isn’t necessarily bad and good isn’t necessarily good is abhorrent to me.

Here is a description of how these terms are generally understood:

In simple layperson terms, a moral good is an action that promotes goodness, righteousness, justice, or well-being. This can mean helping someone in need, telling the truth, or working for equality.

Then there is the practical good, such as things that bring benefits or positive outcomes, like keeping fit, eating healthily and embracing lifelong learning. Again, with this, we can easily fall into the trap of confusing what we desire and what is good. A lot of harm has been done by people who thought they were doing the good and right thing. Millions have been slaughtered on the altar of this fallacy.

Then, there is the so-called subjective good, which is described as what an individual finds pleasant or desirable. Some people clearly desire the eradication or containment, in one way or another, of some of our fellow humans, and this desire cannot, in any way, shape or form, be called good.

The trouble is that many of us think in benign terms and are not aware of the sum of the ramifications, which may not always be desirable, adoptable or good.

Then there is the universal good, which some philosophers believe are things that are inherently good for everyone, such as happiness or health. It’s part of the idea of universal applicability. If a law cannot be universally applicable, then it’s a bad law in and of itself.

So, what’s the thinking behind what is bad?

For example, when we are dealing with wrongdoing, covering actions that harm, deceive, or violate ethical principles. Such as lying, stealing, or hurting others.

Then we have bad practices. Meaning things that cause harm, wastefulness, or adverse outcomes. In this, we can include procrastination, neglecting health, or making unwise decisions.

We must also include subjective bad,  such as experiences that are unpleasant or undesirable. Personally, I don’t think they are the same, but it’s better to be aware of the fact that this concept exists. Examples here are things like feeling pain, being ignored, or losing something valuable.

Finally, there is the concept of universal evil, such as suffering, injustice, or ignorance, which are usually considered to be universally bad.

The essence of “good” and “bad” often lies in how actions, things, or events align with your values, goals, or principles. Knowing these nuances will help you navigate the world with greater understanding.

There are many different and similar understandings of what good and bad mean.

For the Catholic Church, goodness emphasises repentance, forgiveness, and striving for holiness as paths to overcome sin (what is bad) and live a good life. The Catholic Church teaches that the notions of good and evil are rooted in the moral law, which corresponds to the nature of God.

Good is often connected with actions and intentions to the will of God, benefits oneself and others, and promotes love, justice and virtue. Conversely, evil or bad actions violate this moral law and injure and separate from God.

The Church emphasises the importance of awareness and responsibility in distinguishing right from wrong. It provides direction from Scripture, tradition, and the teachings of the Magisterium (the Church’s Magisterium) to help the faithful make moral decisions. The Church also teaches about sin, repentance and the need for God’s grace to turn from evil to good.

As stated, the whole Church’s view of good and evil is closely linked to its theological views on God, human nature and moral responsibility.

Humanitarian perspectives on good and evil are based on principles that promote human dignity, reduce suffering, and promote equality and well-being. These principles often transcend specific religions or cultures and focus on universal human values. At the heart of humanitarianism is the golden rule: treat others as you would like to be treated. Actions are considered good when they uplift and empower others and bad when they harm or devalue human life.

In Judaism, the concepts of good and evil are based on the relationship between humans, God, and each other, guided by the Torah and Jewish teachings. Judaism teaches that man has free will and chooses between yetzer hatov (tendency to good) and yetzer hara (tendency to selfish or harmful desires). A good life involves choosing actions that are in accordance with God’s will, that benefit others, and that promote justice and harmony. Evil (bad) results from neglecting these responsibilities and choosing actions that harm others or distance us from God. Repentance (Teshuvah) is the essential remedy for evil, emphasising personal responsibility and the potential for growth and forgiveness.

Finally, Welsh wisdom about good and bad emphasises balance and respect – living in harmony with people, nature and moral principles. Right (good) is to promote unity and care, while wrong (bad) is to cause harm and division. These values ​​are often reflected in Welsh proverbs and poems, which celebrate justice, love and the enduring strength of community.

In Welsh, we say, gwna dda dros ddrwg, uffern ni’th ddwg, which means “Repay evil with good, and hell will not claim you”.