What Makes a Person "Good" or "Bad"?

Published on April 11, 2007 By JillUser In Misc

I was having a discussion with my 10yr old about people we know and people that we have come in contact with via the internet. He asked me if someone on JU was a "good" person. The question got me thinking. How do we discern good people from bad people?

What's your definition of a "good" person?

I guess I consider it good to be a truthful, responsible, genuine person. Good people are moral, kind and don't do things to intentionally hurt others. Good people care about their family and friends and aren't total narcissists.

Bad people only consider themselves. It doesn't bother them to cause distress to others. They will lie, cheat, steal, whatever it takes to get what they want. They consider noone else before acting. They aren't happy for others and get no enjoyment out of others' happiness.

I think most people are good people. What do you think?

Comments (Page 2)

Sean Conners aka SConn1

on Apr 17, 2007

it still never ceases to amaze me the "rituals" that go on with my italian in laws that they base their "good vs. bad" meter on...

i learned real early on that when entering a room, you greet every person, esp. those older than you and kiss every woman on the cheek as you greet them.

now, if you do that, and no one has any personal grudge against you, you are a good person to the family hierarchy. this is regardless of any "outside" squabbles you may have with people not connected with the family or the law with very few exceptions.

but if you don't do those things, or the other little rituals that are expected when with the family, then it matters not if you are a nobel prize winner or simply the greatest individual on the face of the earth. if you don't show proper respect to the family, you are nothing.

Dr Guy

on Apr 17, 2007

now, if you do that, and no one has any personal grudge against you, you are a good person to the family hierarchy. this is regardless of any "outside" squabbles you may have with people not connected with the family or the law with very few exceptions.

Sounds like simple, if strange rules to follow.

InBloom

on Apr 17, 2007

I agree that most people are indeed good people. I don't think I have a perfect definition for a good person...I just know that most people that surround me treat me well, care for, and respect me. They have no hidden agenda for being close to me...they just like me and accept me how I am.

Tova7

on Apr 17, 2007

I tend to think most people want to be good.....some are just better at it than others.

Zydor

on Jul 20, 2007

Definition of a good person ? Thats in the eye of the beholder. Attilla The Hun would probably have thought Hilter was a cool guy. A devout traditional Catholic will think the Pope is "The Man". The average crook will have no love lost for a Circuit Judge, but most non criminal types quite like them. Any definition must therefore be a simple fundemental one, that arguably can be used in any and all circumstances. So my take on it would be

- a person who has integrity

Integrity, a small word, but a huge amount flows from it.

Sadly very few of our Political & Religious Leaders pocess that quality [integrity]. The lack of it does not make them bad, but it very definitely does not make them good. The latter is a bit harsh maybe - but the word good should imply no compromises on principles .

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