Objectivity as the Root of All Good

It is often said that “money is the root of all evil.” Whether you believe that statement or not, it begs the question “what is the root of all good?” The good is that which is right and ought be. Since the good is what ought be, that means it’s something that needs existence. Without objectivity, how can we be sure the good exists in reality by our actions? Indeed, without objectivity, we wouldn’t even know of a thing called “the good.” The good is something that needs presence, and only objectivity can provide it. To be unobjective and to try to be good would be to try to divorce the good from reality. If the good isn’t in reality, that means there’s nothing that is good in reality and reality falls flat and empty. In the end, objectivity is the root of all good.

The good cannot be known without objectivity. There’s no understanding something if it’s outside of reality. As well, there needs to be some basis for understanding the good. For example, you can’t have a “good outside of reality,” because there’s no reason for it to exist. A “good outside of reality” could only ever be an arbitrary claim since there’s nothing connecting it to anything else for you to even indirectly study it or know it exists. The good only makes sense if there’s something connecting it to objectivity (Otherwise, it’s meaningless). Since there’s no alternatives for nature, only the course of time, “the good” can only apply to something that has requirements for its continued existence for which it acts. Only living things have requirements for their continued existence for which they act, and only humans need to explicitly identify the requirements for their action (the other animals are based on instinct). “The good” is a teleological need for people. It provides us the road map for our actions and continued existence.

There cannot be any good without objectivity. Without objectivity, there’s nothing to connect your actions with the real world. Imagine trying to help someone while avoiding reality; you wouldn’t even be able to identify the person to help. There is nothing good in the world if no one acts to make there be good, and you can’t act without objectivity. Only with the connection to reality that objectivity provides can you truly do good. With objectivity, you can identify problems, think of solutions, and act in the real world to solve them. Since the good is that which “ought be,” it is a violation of the good not to bring it into existence, and it can only be brought into existence through objectivity.

The good is that which “ought be.” As such, it should exist in reality. In fact, the good can only be known from objectivity, as it is the only set of tools that provide one with the ability to connect things to broader existence. As well, without objectivity, there’s no means to bring the good into reality, which violates its basic dictum. Objectivity is the root of all good.