“Yin and yang can be thought of as complementary (rather than opposing) forces that interact to form a dynamic system in which the whole is greater than the assembled parts. Everything has both yin and yang aspects, (for instance shadow cannot exist without light). Either of the two major aspects may manifest more strongly in a particular object, depending on the criterion of the observation”
It is said that in order to maintain universal balance, good must exist alongside evil. Although the way in which each of these is translated varies depending on the subject. Since each individual is capable or both qualities, it is reasonable to surmise that we all endure an internal battle between personal or societal views of these traits. Whichever the case, we feel balance must always reign for no good deed goes by without an equally bad one.
Taking the definition above into perspective, it seems every situation has several alternative endings. These endings are subjective and usually get translated in various different ways depending on the translator. The idealistic perceptions of good and evil emerge from these alternative paths and become the two main defining categories. However since good and evil is dependent on the ‘criterion of the observation, it becomes quite difficult to elucidate.
Whilst perusing Manhattan’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, I stumbled upon this beauty. This sculpture really encapsulates the point I am striving to make. At first glance it seems as though the standing figure is the victor, he has full advantage and his stance emanates power and dominance. However, when you rotate around the sculpture, it becomes clear that the reclining figure equally possesses the same dominance and power. This suggests that despite the initial quality that a person may exhibit, looks can be deceiving…
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Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC Manhattan 2014
So who’s definition of good and bad do we live by? Society offers basic guidelines that help to decipher the true nature of good and evil, but it is really up to each individual to translate and select a reality they feel is tolerable. This is an extremely tricky subject, and no one has the right to prescribe what society should perceive to be good or evil, since this compromises the basic fundamentals of free will. In short, it is up to each individual to decide how these traits will be balanced.
Moon Coated 