How do we (Homo Sapiens) know about good and evil?

[Philosophy Explorer]

Through the Bible/God? Evolution? (would this include our immediate ancestors such as Neanderthal Man?) Was this developed through evolution? Are there different levels of evil? Can evil be eradicated? What about those with no moral compass? Is evil subjective or objective?

These are a few of the many questions. What have you to say?

PhilX

[Ginkgo]

Through the Bible/God? Evolution? (would this include our immediate ancestors such as Neanderthal Man?) Was this developed through evolution? Are there different levels of evil? Can evil be eradicated? What about those with no moral compass? Is evil subjective or objective?

These are a few of the many questions. What have you to say?

PhilX

A shark that attacks and kills a person is not evil. It makes no sense to seek revenge on a dumb beast. If a shark had the capacity to reflect upon its actions and think that perhaps it was doing something morally reprehensible, then seeking justice would be realistic. As far as we know animals don't have the capacity to reflect. Humans do have the opportunity to step back and reflect upon their actions so we can attribute good or bad to their actions.

As to whether Neanderthals had that capacity I do not know. Because they are so closely related to humans I suspect they would have had that capacity.

[A_Seagull]

Through the Bible/God? Evolution? (would this include our immediate ancestors such as Neanderthal Man?) Was this developed through evolution? Are there different levels of evil? Can evil be eradicated? What about those with no moral compass? Is evil subjective or objective?

These are a few of the many questions. What have you to say?

PhilX

A shark that attacks and kills a person is not evil. It makes no sense to seek revenge on a dumb beast. If a shark had the capacity to reflect upon its actions and think that perhaps it was doing something morally reprehensible, then seeking justice would be realistic. As far as we know animals don't have the capacity to reflect. Humans do have the opportunity to step back and reflect upon their actions so we can attribute good or bad to their actions.

And what criteria would you use to "attribute good or bad to their actions"?

Basically I put it to you that if you think their actions would benefit you, you would label it 'good'. And if you think that their actions would harm you in some way you would label it 'evil'.

So to answer Philx's question: good and evil are subjective.

[thedoc]

You've got to be taught.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwK8HyAbFZA

The problem is that most adults don't ever realize what lessons they have been taught, and what they are teaching.

[Blaggard]

Through the Bible/God? Evolution? (would this include our immediate ancestors such as Neanderthal Man?) Was this developed through evolution? Are there different levels of evil? Can evil be eradicated? What about those with no moral compass? Is evil subjective or objective?

These are a few of the many questions. What have you to say?

PhilX

A shark that attacks and kills a person is not evil. It makes no sense to seek revenge on a dumb beast. If a shark had the capacity to reflect upon its actions and think that perhaps it was doing something morally reprehensible, then seeking justice would be realistic. As far as we know animals don't have the capacity to reflect. Humans do have the opportunity to step back and reflect upon their actions so we can attribute good or bad to their actions.

Not so fast,as we have learned recently quite a few species are self aware, observe reciprocal behavior, and tend to act on what they have done in the past, in better ways in the future. Are they not so human..? don't you wish we could do the same? Of course the philosophers of the world, ie everyone who can reflect: should know better, the actual philosophers do, but wall made of brick, head, and bring them together, no sense will be found.

I have to say though we are the most advanced creature on Earth, but that said in some ways we are the most backward too. Beware of hubris, it is wise to note that animals are more advanced than we care to think.

As to whether Neanderthals had that capacity I do not know. Because they are so closely related to humans I suspect they would have had that capacity.

Larger brain size than us although not in some areas which is key. Who indeed knows?

[Ginkgo]

Through the Bible/God? Evolution? (would this include our immediate ancestors such as Neanderthal Man?) Was this developed through evolution? Are there different levels of evil? Can evil be eradicated? What about those with no moral compass? Is evil subjective or objective?

These are a few of the many questions. What have you to say?

PhilX

A shark that attacks and kills a person is not evil. It makes no sense to seek revenge on a dumb beast. If a shark had the capacity to reflect upon its actions and think that perhaps it was doing something morally reprehensible, then seeking justice would be realistic. As far as we know animals don't have the capacity to reflect. Humans do have the opportunity to step back and reflect upon their actions so we can attribute good or bad to their actions.

And what criteria would you use to "attribute good or bad to their actions"?

Basically I put it to you that if you think their actions would benefit you, you would label it 'good'. And if you think that their actions would harm you in some way you would label it 'evil'.

So to answer Philx's question: good and evil are subjective.

If you are asking how it works for me then I would say moral relativism works for me sometimes and at other times moral realism works.

[Lev Muishkin]

Through the Bible/God? Evolution? (would this include our immediate ancestors such as Neanderthal Man?) Was this developed through evolution? Are there different levels of evil? Can evil be eradicated? What about those with no moral compass? Is evil subjective or objective?

These are a few of the many questions. What have you to say?

PhilX

You ask the question as if Good and evil are sitting around waiting to be discovered, then humans come a long and find about about them.
This is absurd.
We do not discover good and evil, we invent them.
From a true objective point of view the terms are useless, and without relevance.

"Good is that which pleaseth man, evil that which pleaseth him not" Thomas Hobbes

The Elements of Law Natural and Politic by Thomas Hobbes (Chapter VII)
Chapter VII
Of Delight and Pain; Good and Evil
3.
Every man, for his own part, calleth that which pleaseth, and is delightful to himself, GOOD; and that EVIL which displeaseth him: insomuch that while every man differeth from other in constitution, they differ also one from another concerning the common distinction of good and evil. Nor is there any such thing as agathon aplox, that is to say, simply good. For even the goodness which we attribute to God Almighty, is his goodness to us. And as we call good and evil the things that please and displease; so call we goodness and badness, the qualities or powers whereby they do it. And the signs of that goodness are called by the Latins in one word PULCHRITUDO, and the signs of evil, TURPITUDO; to which we have no words precisely answerable.

[Blaggard]

Amen Lev. Cynical but apt.

Not a big fan of Hobbes but it does demonstrate your point. Although Hobbes was backward I think when it came to even the values of the time -- he had some odd compromises - let alone now.