Friday, December 12, 2008

Black an White

Homo sapiens are provided with the capability of choosing between either good or evil. The development of good or evil in a human being depends on various factors, such as bio-genetic and social influences. The most influential of them include parental care, community they belong to, character formation etc. Right from the beginning leaders have tried to direct the human race in the path of righteousness. Good examples include the ten commandments of Moses in the Old Testament, the Greek scholars’ quest for knowledge and virtue, the teachings of Buddha in the east, and so on.

The very purpose of every religion is cultivating human values and moral values. All religions propound that human beings will be rewarded according to their deeds. Religions also encourage them to choose good by instilling the fear of horrible punishments for evil doers. Whereas, they assure that the reward for virtuous people will be of eternal happiness and glory. These religions are mystical by nature and are based upon the revelations made by supernatural beings at different times to good people.

There has been an intense research on the psyche of human beings and the existence of supernatural beings. Science does have some sort of explanation for the behavior of human kind, but it was more of serendipity than an intentional research. Psychologists have been trying to figure out the capabilities and intentions of human mind. Sigmund Freud a well-known scientist proposed the theory of Id, ego, and super ego as the three levels of human mind.

Id is said to be animal instinct present in the human beings, after all they are social animals. This characteristic of humans is the basis of all evil and immoral activities. Ego on the other hand is the one that instigates the human values and moral values hidden in the human mind. It is said that every moral lesson taught by the leaders arouse out of ego. Super ego is the best part of the human soul which makes him a saint. It makes him realize the difference between the permanent and the temporal things. This is the base of religions that try to transform the animal instinct of id in every human being to the highest state of super ego.

Almost every religion has a story that elucidates the war between good and evil. Every war between the good and evil at last ends with a triumphant victory for the good. Every establish government on earth has its own laws to punish evil doers. However, still crime and criminals do exist in abundance. It is impossible to create a utopian world with great human values and moral values because both evil and good resides in the heart of human kind. It is the responsibility of every human being to suppress the evil and grow the good within them.

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