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Naut...
At one time I thought I wanted to be a psychologist. Then I found the "science" of diagnosing mental problems, such as schizophrenia relied more on value judgements than any kind of test that could yield a definite answer. When it comes to human behavior, science can do a lot, but is seriously lacking in answers to those deepest questions of what good and evil are. Neuroscientists can make generalizations but can't say which nerve ending it is that makes us good or bad. Its the mix of philosphy, theology and science that makes this a very interesting subject, no matter what one's take on it is. Very interesting comments.
posted by
food4thought
on July 22, 2012 at 10:34 PM
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food4
Of course I agree that science "can identify factors that make people behave in ways that are then defined as good or evil." I think critical here is the last part of the sentence "that are then defined as good or evil." That definition is made 'after the fact', as it were, outside of science. I know a little bit about science, and I don't know of any paradigms that could possibly contain the notions of 'good' and 'evil', though they could well contain those of 'positive', 'negative', 'healthy' or 'pathological'...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 22, 2012 at 9:13 PM
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Jimmy...
Down deep I think we know any one of us is capable of doing "bad" things. We all routinely run yellow lights, speed and that's just in our cars! It's when a person turns seriously dark that seems incomprehensible. The TV series "Breaking Bad" is a study in just that. Interesting but you know it won't end well.
posted by
food4thought
on July 22, 2012 at 12:42 PM
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Personally, I think the human mind is the most complex apparatus in the universe, with such varying degrees that it is nearly impossible to make any kind of blanket assessment as to the why's and how's of our various behaviors. Scientists and theologists can throw this debate back and forth all they want . . . I don't think there will ever be a clear-cut analysis or answer! That's just my opinion.
posted by
JimmyA
on July 22, 2012 at 10:42 AM
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As to these comments...
Neither of you watched the episode, I can tell. As for science, it can identify factors that make people behave in ways that are then defined as good or evil. As for the Bible, I respect your views but I can't accept it as anything but a story, sorry. I won't dissuade either of you for your beliefs, its a big world and there is room for all of us.
posted by
food4thought
on July 21, 2012 at 9:33 PM
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food4
Psychology can identify the psychopath and the sociopath, though not before they have acted in ways that show those chracteristics. But that is a differeent matter - when it comes to what we call 'Evil', science has nothing meaningful to say. In fact, a scientist who discusses things in terms of 'Good' and 'Evil' has left the realm of science in doing so - he's talking nonsense...
posted by
Nautikos
on July 21, 2012 at 9:14 PM
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food4thought
I don't want to be a wet blanket and you may delete this if you want, but I believe the Holy Bible does a good job over and over on this explaination. It is so tragic!
posted by
Justi
on July 21, 2012 at 8:29 PM
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