The Coin

Do things really exist? Again, I ask myself that question, as many who are not so inclined to think openly about the subject will kick a rock and say "of course!" (Then again, it is possible to be so open-minded that one's brain falls out, but that is a different discussion altogether).

Our definition of things is quite circular. Let us take the example of Good and Evil, as they are pertinent and easily understandable although their definitions are elusive. What is Good? Could we understand something to be Good if there was not Evil to define it? If one, say, helps an old lady cross the street, would it be considered Good if that person could not also just ignore the lady, or worse, push her into traffic? Similarly, do we not recognise events such as the Holocaust to be Evil because we believe that not murdering millions of people is Good?

On the other hand, consider rain and sunshine. We appreciate the sunshine because we know there are days that are rainy. However, the fact that we appreciate such days does not mean they would cease to exist without their opposite. Days would still be sunny even if it did not rain, however ungrateful we would be. There is, of course, the necessity of rain, as constant "beautiful" days would cause drought, starvation, and eventually, war. Regardless, they would still exist. However, their definition would change, and we would not think of sunny days as good or beautiful. If we lacked Evil to define Good, would Good change its definition as well? And then wouldn't we just end up with the two sides of the coin all over again?

The mystery of the coin confuses us all. Even if we could separate the two sides of the coin, would it be beneficial? In our struggle to be perfect, we wish to get rid of all that is "bad." However, does not perfection lie in the balance between good and evil?

"Disease makes health pleasant and good." -Heraclitus