What do you mean, TRUTH?!?

I had an interesting conversation with a friend of mine a couple of days ago.  We were working on a roof together, and in between heaving scratchy piles of shingles off of the roof and climbing up and down ladders, we went pretty deep.  It started with "How is college going for you?" and went to "Does universal truth exist?"

In actuality, all of life's questions really come down to this.  You're not sure?  Here's an example.  Is it wrong for me to kill my neighbor, because her ankle-biter dog keeps barking at 10:30pm, causing great distress and anxiety in our Great Dane?  It is, you say.  Why?  It's illegal?  I didn't ask if it was legal.  The legal system is a conglomerate of legislation passed through an extensive process of drafting, being "floored", passing the two bodies of the Congressional branch, being signed by the Executive branch, and, finally, being upheld by the Judicial branch.  You are welcome for the 5th grade civics lesson.  That entire process, while designed with 3-D protections and regulations, is all about some paper with words and some signed names.  The question I asked was, is it wrong?

I would contend that most people have ideal behaviors that they desire to live by, but if pushed into a corner, ultimately use the legal system as the structure upon which they hang their "modus operandi."  That is not adequate.  What if legislation was passed that okay'd murdering obnoxious dog owners?  An enormous stretch, I agree, but all it would take is a majority of the entire legislation process to agree upon it.  Actually, it wouldn't even take that.  A loud and obtuse minority offering enough pork could possibly get the job done.  If that were to happen, would it change the answer to the question:  Is it wrong?

There are three possible answers:  yes, no, or there is no such thing as definitive wrong.  Herein lies the epic confrontation in the heart of man.  If one were to acknowledge that is is wrong, he or she must than ponder, "Why?"  If one claims that it is  not wrong, he or she must get rid of their dog, and quickly.  If one claims the third option, then they are allowing their lives to be dictated by the opinions of other people, those who make up all of the rules.  Abdication of choice, at best.

I must suspend this discussion in the favor of studying for an exam.  You see, the professor has particular answers to this upcoming test.  Like it or not, I will get graded on whether I get it right or wrong.