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Farael · 12-12-2005, 03:16 PM

I recall in another forum I was in that we had an interesting discussion with regard to whether or not you would be able to differenciate good from evil if one of the two did not exist. If the world was "only evil" then how could you know it was so? perhaps then what we consider evil would be taken as a good thing while righteous acts would be "evil".

Yet I disagree with that point of view. The reason why we have (at least some of) our morals is because they actually help us on the long run. Sure, it is easyer if instead of arguing or discussing things with my friends and acquaintances, I just kill anyone who thinks different than me and therefore sooner or later, everyone will agree. Yet that is not quite productive, as I might have to kill a lot of people.

Same principle applies. It is easier to grab whatever I want to, yet on the long run it will perjudice me as someone will take from me something they want. On the other hand, if I hold back and earn it, just like everyone else has to earn it, then it will be mine for as long as I want to keep it (or as long as it lasts, whatever the object of my desire might be)

What does all this have to do with Melkor? well, his greatness comes from the fact that he took from others what they had created and when he created something it was for trying to steal some more from the other Valar. On the other hand the other Valar showed restraint. They might have wanted something their partners had created yet they either asked for it (the trees were created by Yvanna I believe yet they all shared it) or they made some of their own (Aule made the dwarves and Yvanna (was it her?) gave souls to the trees, creating Ents). At first it was more work for the other Valar and Morgoth took advantage of it, but on the long run the cooperative acts of many could do more than the selfish acts of one. And remember that evil behaviour is inherently selfish, as being selfish is one of the many things that we consider "evil".

At least, that's my point of view... I hope it was clear, as I'm particulary tired today... if not, let me know and I'll try to edit out all the mistakes =)

12-12-2005, 03:16 PM	#3
Farael Ghost Prince of Cardolan Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: In hospitals, call rooms and (rarely) my apartment. Posts: 1,538	I recall in another forum I was in that we had an interesting discussion with regard to whether or not you would be able to differenciate good from evil if one of the two did not exist. If the world was "only evil" then how could you know it was so? perhaps then what we consider evil would be taken as a good thing while righteous acts would be "evil". Yet I disagree with that point of view. The reason why we have (at least some of) our morals is because they actually help us on the long run. Sure, it is easyer if instead of arguing or discussing things with my friends and acquaintances, I just kill anyone who thinks different than me and therefore sooner or later, everyone will agree. Yet that is not quite productive, as I might have to kill a lot of people. Same principle applies. It is easier to grab whatever I want to, yet on the long run it will perjudice me as someone will take from me something they want. On the other hand, if I hold back and earn it, just like everyone else has to earn it, then it will be mine for as long as I want to keep it (or as long as it lasts, whatever the object of my desire might be) What does all this have to do with Melkor? well, his greatness comes from the fact that he took from others what they had created and when he created something it was for trying to steal some more from the other Valar. On the other hand the other Valar showed restraint. They might have wanted something their partners had created yet they either asked for it (the trees were created by Yvanna I believe yet they all shared it) or they made some of their own (Aule made the dwarves and Yvanna (was it her?) gave souls to the trees, creating Ents). At first it was more work for the other Valar and Morgoth took advantage of it, but on the long run the cooperative acts of many could do more than the selfish acts of one. And remember that evil behaviour is inherently selfish, as being selfish is one of the many things that we consider "evil". At least, that's my point of view... I hope it was clear, as I'm particulary tired today... if not, let me know and I'll try to edit out all the mistakes =)