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Good/Evil vs. Law/Chaos
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<blockquote data-quote="redwing" data-source="post: 4630242" data-attributes="member: 1430"><p>I'm actually a decently experienced roleplayer. I've played several game systems, but as far as this topic is concerned the two of note are D&D 3.x and D&D 4.0. I've also ready quite a bit of D&D 1e and 2e material (the writing quality was just amazing...). I feel like this may be a "noob" question, but I have to ask it. </p><p></p><p>What exactly is the difference between Good and Law (and Evil and chaos)? </p><p></p><p>I'm used to just randomly picking a mix of the terms and throwing them on my character sheet. To me those were more focused on 3.x spells. I usually just left the roleplaying to dictate the character's personality.</p><p></p><p>And I've re-read the entries over and over before posting. The third edition PHB does the best of differentiating. But to me Chaos (lying, cheating, stealing) sounds alot like Evil. Especially since in the Book of Vile Darkness, Monte defines Evil with those exact phrases. The same goes for Good and Law (referencing the Book of Exalted Deeds).</p><p></p><p>So what exactly is the difference? I used to think about it as Morality (Good/Evil) being a way the character looks at individuals (and respects their right to live) and Ethically (Law/Chaos) being the way the character looks at society and its laws (the right to own property, etc.). So under this outlook, murder and oppression are evil while stealing and cheating are considered chaotic. The reverse is true for good/law. </p><p></p><p>I understand this question delves into the realms of philosophy and ethics. Maybe Utilitarianism or Skepticism would be a better approach... But aside from that, I'm just looking at how D&D defines them.</p><p></p><p>Can anyone elaborate on this for me?</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="redwing, post: 4630242, member: 1430"] I'm actually a decently experienced roleplayer. I've played several game systems, but as far as this topic is concerned the two of note are D&D 3.x and D&D 4.0. I've also ready quite a bit of D&D 1e and 2e material (the writing quality was just amazing...). I feel like this may be a "noob" question, but I have to ask it. What exactly is the difference between Good and Law (and Evil and chaos)? I'm used to just randomly picking a mix of the terms and throwing them on my character sheet. To me those were more focused on 3.x spells. I usually just left the roleplaying to dictate the character's personality. And I've re-read the entries over and over before posting. The third edition PHB does the best of differentiating. But to me Chaos (lying, cheating, stealing) sounds alot like Evil. Especially since in the Book of Vile Darkness, Monte defines Evil with those exact phrases. The same goes for Good and Law (referencing the Book of Exalted Deeds). So what exactly is the difference? I used to think about it as Morality (Good/Evil) being a way the character looks at individuals (and respects their right to live) and Ethically (Law/Chaos) being the way the character looks at society and its laws (the right to own property, etc.). So under this outlook, murder and oppression are evil while stealing and cheating are considered chaotic. The reverse is true for good/law. I understand this question delves into the realms of philosophy and ethics. Maybe Utilitarianism or Skepticism would be a better approach... But aside from that, I'm just looking at how D&D defines them. Can anyone elaborate on this for me? [/QUOTE]
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