Month: February 2020

In general, most people think of themselves as good people. But what does that mean, exactly? Does being a good person mean that most of the actions you take are good ones?

As the saying goes, everyone is the hero of their own story. The actions we take make sense to us, given our own experiences and knowledge.

Even the best person is bound to do bad things occasionally. Does the number of bad actions make someone a bad person? What about the percentage of bad to good acts?

Then there is the issue of intent. To what extent does intent play a part in determining a good person from a bad one?

For example, let’s imagine that someone steals something. Stealing is wrong. But what if you steal, say, a loaf of bread to feed a starving family member? The theft may still be a bad action, but does the purpose — to provide for your family — ease the severity of the bad act?

A lie to save someone’s feelings, robbing from the rich to give to the poor, or exaggerating on a resume to get a job. These all seem like minor infractions that serve a greater good. Or do they? Is this just moral relativism, a mental trick to justify whatever actions we want?

It might seem simple and straightforward to think good people do good things, and bad people do bad things. But that would seem to suggest that all of life is just an accounting exercise. Track every action, every thought, every saying. If your final tally ends up on the proper side, you are a good person. Is that realistic?

In summary, do you think you are a good person? What does it mean to be a good person?

Related questions: When is a lie justified? What do you do that you shouldn’t? How do you judge yourself? What gives a person value?