Good Vs Evil

I've been watching The Atheist Experience lately on YouTube.  It occurred to me:

What is the definition of evil?

Evil is the opposite of good, right?  But evil can only be evil if you know what good looks like.  So a person's perception or understanding of good determines what the opposite might be.

Do we not have different opinions and tastes in all areas in life?  Would those leanings of mind therefore define what is good or evil?

Without anyone else to educate you or to tell you what good is, how do you know what evil is?  Organised religions go a long way to address this problem but they do so in a destructive way because the rely on the supernatural, superstition, deception and threats of violence or torture to achieve this.

The solution from the teachings of the Buddha revolves around the cessation of suffering for all sentient beings.  If the cessation and reduction of suffering is the number one priority in your daily life, you suddenly see perspective and positive ethics come naturally.  Like putting your hand in the fire.

That really, for me, makes all the Christian, Muslim and Jewish approaches to ethical living redundant.  It becomes obvious to you in a flash what your actions and speech ought to be.


Peace and joy everyone, peace and joy.