Morality: 'good' and 'bad' part 1

What are 'good' and 'bad'? The law is there to punish criminals who most would say have behaved badly but it's not such a clear cut line.

Murder is almost universally considered bad in the eyes of the law and yet there are various exceptions. In many countries the death penalty is still a potential punishment for criminals and in those it is no longer practiced, such as ours, there are many who would argue for it to be reinstated. And yet isn't killing another person bad? And then there's the prospect of a home invader. In the UK killing someone in self defence during this situation or even injuring them can result in punishment. Many would argue that the house owner is not wrong to do this. In fact, some would even argue that their action is 'good'.

And then there's war. There are few who would say war is a good thing but there have been numerous times when a war and the death of many has been justified by the 'greater good'.

There are varying opinions to everything I've mentioned above as, despite the law, people do have there own morality. Morality is an opinion. My idea of 'good' and 'bad' could differ from someone elses. I think that, for extreme crimes, the death penalty is a good idea as it prevents reoffending and hopefully discourages potential criminals. There are, however, many who think that the death penalty is an immoral concept. Who's right or wrong?

Perhaps we're all right. Nietzsche believes that the 'higher man' should have his own morality to decide what is right and wrong. Are we all higher men with our own sense of morality being kept down by the law? Would we be better off without the law? I'm guessing not.

To be continued tomorrow