One of the things that fascinates the human mind is limits. Along with a general interest in the population, limits are of special interest to scientists, athletes, and teenagers with fast cars.

No one doubts the existence of physical limits. Several theoretical limits have been established. Nothing gets colder than absolute zero (- 273.16 degrees Centigrade). Nothing goes faster than the speed of light (2.998 x 10⁸ m/sec. in a vacuum).

Besides these theoretical absolute limits, there is a host of practical limitations. Olympic athletes constantly push the limits concerning human strength, agility, coordination and speed, but limits there are. Engineers continually evaluate new materials and designs to improve mechanical structures, because they recognise that every material and design has built-in limitations. The search for new materials with fewer inherent limits keeps many scientists busy every day.

What happens when we move beyond matter? Are there limits which do apply, or should apply, universally to human ambition and behaviour? Has humanity plumbed the depths of good and evil? How would one even begin to measure such things? While debates rage about what is "good" or "right," it’s worth noting that humans are generally significantly concerned about these things.

The rub comes not in whether we should pursue those things which are "good" or "right," but in what the standard should be for defining them. One that society labels a "criminal" may be quite able to justify his behaviour according to his own standards of justice.

For Reflection:

• How could we come to an understanding of what is "good" without simply using the definition of "what’s good for me"?
• We all can sense when we have been "wronged." Try to identify the mechanisms that let you know this.