The concept of good vs. evil has been deeply ingrained in human history and culture. It permeates our moral frameworks, religious beliefs and social narratives. The philosophy of skepticism urges us to question the very foundation of this thinking. Skepticism challenges moral absolutes; or any polarized categorical thinking, such as good vs. evil.
Skepticism first challenges the very idea that moral values can be objectively determined. The diversity of human culture, historical context and individual perception is multi-faceted. This suggests that deeming anyone/thing as “good” or “evil” is highly subjective. Skeptics argue, further, that these moral judgments are based upon a foundation of societal norms, personal and collective biases, and cultural conditioning. Mortality cannot be based on any universal truth.
Across humanity there exists countless, contrived moral systems. Cultural relativism emphasizes that moral values are culturally constructed and vary greatly across time and location. What is deemed as “evil” in one culture may be considered “good” in another culture. The arbitrariness and contextual nature of moral distinctions quickly becomes apparent upon examination.
Human nature has a complexity that transcends the simplistic categorizations of good vs. evil. We are capable of both benevolence and malevolence, and at an individual level there is a mix virtues and vices. Wearing a skeptical lens, we can recognize the intricate interplay of motives, circumstances and personal struggles that shape human behavior, complicating the objectivity of good vs. evil.
Skepticism also challenges the assumption that situations can be neatly categorized. In reality, ethical dilemmas often present complex and ambiguous scenarios. The basic dichotomy of good vs. evil fails to account for the nuanced decision-making required in navigating moral gray areas.
The influence of perspective and power dynamics have shaped the perception of good vs. evil. Moral judgments can be influenced by a number of factors, such as, position in society, conditioning, and the narratives created by those in power positions. Could it be that this focus on defining good vs. evil may serve as a tool for manipulation via division? Skepticism opens the door to inspect the validity of those in power defining these morals and then using the definition as a way to reinforce power structure.
The beauty of skepticism is that it destroys the usefulness of simplistic binary definition. A skeptic highlights the subjective nature of morality, the cultural relativity of moral values, the complexity of human nature and the inherent ambiguity of ethical dilemmas.
While the concept of good vs. evil is as old as the first human society, skepticism reminds us to always question the narrative, and to be aware of the limitations within binary labeling. By inviting skepticism into our thinking, we can embrace a deeper exploration of ethics, empathy and the intricacies of human existence.