lucid interval

There is no question that we all think differently. After all, that's what makes us human, right? But no matter how different our views and perspectives are, the concept of right and wrong remains constant, or at least it should be.
- J, XOXO Gossip Boy series

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I would want to raise that the concept of right and wrong is relative. Again, with the "r" word. One person's wrong is another person's right and vice versa. It all comes down to opinion and perspective. Much like in our literature classes when everyone was asked to voice out their thoughts on the subject matter, and the professor would say that there's no such thing as a right or wrong answer. Well, the arts is rather flexible when it comes to its appreciation and comprehension.

But that concept doesn't stray from what happens in real life. And the question that we ought to be asking is - how do I ever know - what is really right, and what is really wrong.

I hate vegetables. No, I have a great dislike of vegetables (hate is such a strong word). I know I should eat vegetables and I know it is the right thing to do. Doctors, nutritionists, my parents and other people who has a concern for me would point that what I'm doing is wrong. Well, they are right but unless a dish is certifiably veggie-free then it won't ever come within four feet of my mouth. I am uncomfortable when my food has vegetables and I feel yucky whenever I try to eat them. So is it wrong that I feel that vegetables are eewness?

The music industry has undergone a great deal of revolution these past few years. The days of long playing records, cassette tapes and up to a certain point, compact discs are far gone. It's now all about digital downloads. Online retailers now offer a CDS for 99 cents, or an album for USD 13. But why spend that much when one could get it for free through Limewire, Torrents and other P2P sharewares. These free downloads usually equate to millions of losses on sales thus lower income for both the producers and the recording artists. But it's free right? The idea that digital music is intangible has made people forget that each MP3 is still copyrighted or licensed. Downloading is tantamount to walking out of a record bar carrying a record or two without stopping at the cashier. A big percentage of my MP3 collection were downloaded for free from the net since iTunes is not yet functional in the Philippines (I think) and come on, free is almost always better than shelving out PHP 40 on a song. Was I wrong in doing so?

I've turned down dates just because. It is wrong to judge people without considering their merits. And one wouldn't know the prospect's merits unless he or she gets to know him or her thoroughly. Through dating. But still, I politely turn some people down because (of my insecurities). Does it make me a horrible person?

I lie, sometimes. Everyone lies even if we all know the dogma that lying is innately wrong. But what if we had to do it for the benefit of say, the entire human species? Would it still be wrong?

See the solution is this - laws are made to act as the external measurement of right and wrong. But then again, laws are limited to governing principles that affect the civil society. And sometimes they can easily be corrupted. Not to mention, one-sided.

However, there are no laws that prevent us from ignoring or writing-off someone from our lives in a finger snap. There are no statures that would condemn fashion faux pas to prison or hell. And the law that prohibits a person from falling out of love has yet to be mandated by both any congress or nature. No law has ever protected us from being heart broken. (Well, technically there is but let's not go into that.)

Laws are based on the lawmakers' belief and perception of what is right and what is wrong. So basically it all comes down to one's moral standards.

And people have different moral standards. It doesn't matter whether something is right or wrong, what's more important is who deems so.

There is no question that we all think differently. After all, that's what makes us human, right? But no matter how different our views and perspectives are, the concept of right and wrong remains constant, or at least it should be.

Indeed, the concept does not change. However, the definition does to cope up with circumstances and sometimes, whims.

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POSTSCRIPT. I'm no debater and if I presented a rather weak, invalid and pointless argument, pardon me. It's two in the morning and I'm blogging instead of trying to catch up with sleep. But this is just too mentally stimulating to pass up.