How do people be bad?

Answer 1

First, to be "bad" is not a black & white issue, meaning, "bad" or "badness" is not always set in stone.

Second, a country's and State's Laws determine the "legalistic rightness" of actions. For example, it is wrong to Kill, to Steal, to commit fraud, etc.

Third, even though man has made "legalistic rightness" through Laws, the basis of many laws are religious thought and practice. For example, most religions have a 'rule' about stealing as a "bad" behavior. But some religions have different views on some types of "badness". For example, most Christian churches would denounce stoning of women, but in some middle eastern religions their view is that stoning is the punishment for being bad, especially when women/females act bad according to religious laws.

Fourth, many of our religious commandments or rules, and legalistic laws, are based in ethics and community determination of "right" versus "wrong". Until the 1960s, discrimination against Blacks was considered 'normal', but personal ethics and beliefs have since then changed laws. However, no number of laws, rules, or religious tenets change some people's personal beliefs. As examples: People still cheat on taxes, despite laws. Men and women still cheat on spouses despite religious and civil laws.

Fifth, because "personal beliefs" are also involved in determining "right" vs. "wrong" or "good" versus "bad", there will always be arguments for or against certain behaviors. In Philosophy, people raise good vs bad ethical questions. As examples to think about:

Is it right to steal to feed your children if you are homeless and have no money?

If you needed a medication that could save your life but you cannot afford the med, is it right to steal the med from a hospital or pharmacy?

If a person is in great pain and will die within weeks and they ask you to kill them, is it premeditated murder or murder if you kill the person?

If all life is sacred, when does life begin-- at conception? or at birth?

If you were really pushed around by your parents (whom you should "honor" according to religions), is it ever okay to swear at them? What if your parents abused you-- can you swear at them then?

If you own a car but your license was suspended, and your mother was too sick to drive but you needed groceries really bad, is it right for you to drive just a block to the grocery store?

You are taking a test to get into a prestigious school. Your friend, who is very poor and needs this opportunity, is also taking the test. You see your friend cheating on the test... If you tell, you feel your friend will think you don't love them... what wins: love or honesty?

You find out a poor family living in a house beside you has "tapped into" another neighbor's electricity. The other neighbor is disabled and will never notice. What is right to do?

You visit your older sister who has 4 kids and her husband walked out on her, so she is stressed out. You witness her beating her 6-month old with a wooden spoon. Do you call the police or report her to Children's Services? or do you do nothing?

A baby is born with severe disabilities and likely won't live more than 3 months. She needs Neonatal ICU services, but Intensive Care will cost billions over 3 months. The hospital will go "in the red" if they care for the baby. The parents cannot pay; they have no insurance. But 3 doctors decide to add potassium to the baby's IV knowing that extra potassium in large doses can kill. As the baby's nurse, you overhear the doctor's plan. Do you go along with their plan, or call the police? Would it be murder to kill a disabled baby? Is it murder if the baby will "die anyway"?

Some families in poor countries and countries with more girls than boys kill only baby girls. Is there ever a "good enough reason" to kill? If so, who determines what is "right" and "wrong"?

During Hurricane Katrina, a nursing home owner ran from the flood waters, leaving the elderly patients in their rooms, some tied to their beds in restraints. The owner was charged for patient abandonment and (I'm pretty sure) for murder. Was it right or wrong that the owner fled? Was it right or wrong for Officials to charge him with a crime, considering it happened during a natural disaster?

These are the kinds of questions that people ask who really think about what is right/good versus wrong/bad.