I stopped believing there was a power of good and a power of evil that were outside us. And I came to believe that good and evil are names for what people do, not for what they are. All we can say is that this is a good deed, because it helps someone, or that's an evil one, because it hurts them. People are too complicated to have simple labels.
In "The Amber Spyglass," Philip Pullman reflects on the concepts of good and evil, suggesting that they are not external forces but rather actions performed by individuals. He expresses a shift in belief, recognizing that moral labels do not define people but rather describe their deeds. This perspective emphasizes the complexity of human nature, asserting that people cannot be simply categorized as good or evil.
This understanding promotes a more nuanced view of morality, where the focus is on the consequences of actions rather than simplistic labels. By evaluating deeds based on their impact—helping or hurting others—Pullman encourages a deeper consideration of how we judge ourselves and others, highlighting the intricate motivations and circumstances that influence behavior.
