What Makes a Person a "Good Person"

MickeyLee

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*tip of the nib to Mr. Earl*

is good a default setting? like, if you're not actively causing harm to another human being, are you good?

a benevolence for ya fellow planet squatters?

is being a good a conscious choice?

what makes a "bad person"...

i have been pondering the person i am/want to be/have been. got my own guidelines on how to be good. just a little curious where others pin their heart/ethics/soul.
 
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798686

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Ummm... basically - handling things in a way that leads to as positive an outcome as possible for the people around you?

Varies depending on the people and context - but often involves being able to put yourself in other ppl's shoes and shouldering a certain amount of responsibility. Some people on here think I'm good, some think I'm unspeakably bad. I guess it depends on what values and rules people hold which determines their view of whether someone is good or not.

Also, I'm not sure that 'good' and 'obedient' are the same thing - so adherence to particular rules (religious or otherwise) may not make you good in itself, unless they're of benefit to people and enhance life. :)
 
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IntoxicatingToxin

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To be honest, I think 99% of my definition of whether or not a person is "bad" lies in their intent. If you intend for good things to come from your actions, then I don't necessarily consider them bad, even if they are giant mistakes.

Having said that, having good intentions doesn't necessarily make you a good person either. It might stop you from being "bad" in my eyes, but it doesn't make you good.

I can't really find the words to explain this. I guess a combination of having good intentions and also thinking of the overall good of everyone involved. Sometimes people have good intentions but don't really "think" or foresee the consequences of their actions, so their actions end up causing more harm than good. I don't think that person is necessarily bad because they intended for good things to come from what they did, but I think a truly GOOD person would have thought about that before the action took place to begin with.

That's sort of a lame blanket response but it's the best I can come up with right now.
 
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185248

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A good person is one who cares and takes time for the small things in life. May seem strange but little things, like say picking up your rubbish after you, shows you care. Not only for yourself, but for the planet and for others.

A bad person is a person who would take something from you, this could be anything, even your life, someone you love or some thing, not care, and do it with a smile.

( Cept when Bruce Willis lit up the Jumbo full of baddies and said with a smile " Yippee Kiyaaaay Mother Fuckers")
 
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798686

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To be honest, I think 99% of my definition of whether or not a person is "bad" lies in their intent. If you intend for good things to come from your actions, then I don't necessarily consider them bad, even if they are giant mistakes.

Having said that, having good intentions doesn't necessarily make you a good person either. It might stop you from being "bad" in my eyes, but it doesn't make you good.

I can't really find the words to explain this. I guess a combination of having good intentions and also thinking of the overall good of everyone involved. Sometimes people have good intentions but don't really "think" or foresee the consequences of their actions, so their actions end up causing more harm than good. I don't think that person is necessarily bad because they intended for good things to come from what they did, but I think a truly GOOD person would have thought about that before the action took place to begin with.

That's sort of a lame blanket response but it's the best I can come up with right now.
No - I agree.

Good intentions are a start - but not the whole picture, because people can cause terrible harm whilst doing what they thought was the best thing. I guess - informing yourself so you know as much as possible about what's likely to work, is part of it.

On the flip side - I try not to take offense if people haven't meant to cause it. Why bother getting in a mood if they meant to be nice? :)
 
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NewAgeMan

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I often ask myself the same thing. In my opinion, there's really no way to know because people can change, and the intricacies of karma are just too complicated (you could spend a whole lifetime contemplating the direct/indirect effects of your actions)

I think a good person should be able to say to his/herself on a regular basis that they honestly try to interact and effect the world in a positive way.

I think being good is a conscious choice. I think once you are smart/mature/informed enough to know the difference between right and wrong, it takes willful ignorance (being dishonest with yourself) to not do the right thing. Mistakes happen, it almost always gets complicated, but you can always sit down and ask yourself at the end of the day that simple question. Having a long term commitment to that very important question is in my opinion what makes a good person.
 

redneckgymrat

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For me it's simple.

Human nature is to take care of ourselves, first. The ability to transcend self interest, and do for others, is what tips the balance, in my mind.
 
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693987

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Good intentions are, well, a good thing... but that isn't a cure all, automatic qualifier for being a good person in my eyes. I was raised in a Christian household and then practiced Wicca for a while. My moral code was shaped primarily by that.

I try to do what I need and/or want in my life, without negatively impacting other people. Beyond that, I try to do positive things where I can. Even if it's something as small as holding a door open for a person, or giving up my seat on a bus to someone who needs it more. I try to be generous when I can, too. When I am in a financially stable place, I like to be able to take a friend out to dinner. When I have been broke, I will share what food I possess with a friend if they need it.

Also, when I do screw up... I try to own it, admit fault, and learn from my mistakes. I don't think people have to live by the 10 commandments to be a good person. I do think they provide a good outline for things people generally should and should not do, though. Then again, that can pretty much be covered by:

An ye harm none, do what thou wilt. - Wiccan Rede

Empathy, willingness to admit you were wrong + learning from it, and generosity are some of the key qualities to being a good person, in my opinion. I am not a super duper awesomely generous person, nor am I completely selfless. I give and do what I can, but only to the extent that I can still pay my bills, feed myself, etc. If the opportunity arises for me to gain something, and I don't see it fucking over people, I'll do it. Anyway. My thoughts about this in... sort of a nutshell.
 

rbkwp

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Empathy, and acting on it.


agree 100%
am sure the very best job i ever secured, was because i impressed upon the interviewers, that THATS what it was all about ..
 

LaFemme

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I work hard on being a good person. I work hard on developing character. It's something that I try to teach my family. It's always a work in progress.

A good person is someone who is kind, generous to others, non-judgmental, open-minded, empathetic and patient. A good person is able to laugh at themselves, take full responsiblity for their actions and see the feeling behind the actions of others. A good person is able to give without expecting reciprocation. A good person is also able to say 'no', is forgiving, but does not forget. A good person knows when it is time to release people from his/her life and does not regret it. A good person is a good friend, an eager learner, great colleague and a hard worker. A good person always does a little more than expected and has the best intentions in his/her heart. A good person always follows through.

At least this is what I aspire to as a good person.
 

sizehungry

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No simple answer ,because we are so complex , but a good start would be ; 1) recognizing our own faults , and be willing to act upon them , before we comment on the shortcomings of others . 2) be very aware of the hurtful impact of the things we sometimes say . 3) try not to do anything to the detriment of others . Having mentioned these things , i must confess that i am guilty of all of them , but that's the trick. Be aware , and rectify ones untoward behaviors as best we can.
 

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Adjectives that describe "good" people:

Kind, loving, caring, thoughtful, giving, helpful, truthful, honest, hard-working, genuine, honorable, etc.

The antonyms of those words describe "bad" people.
 
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Mr Ed in Mass

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A good person pays me back the money that they owe me, plus the 50% interest, so they don't get their legs broken.