Thanks for expanding/clarifying. :)

nothing inherently good or evil except good in itself or evil in itself. Only good in itself is inherently good, and the same with evil, but nothing else is inherently good or evil.

I tend to agree with this, however, is there truly a sort of universal good or evil that exists outside of the perceptions of humans or other animals/aliens/spirits/etc? Or do you just sort of mean that in the intangible philosophical/mental sort of sense where it exists subjectively in the minds of sentient beings?

A life of a monk maybe.

Hmmm.... Something to think about. Though, to me it seems like any being once they have seen themselves in a mirror or reflection will achieve self perception and many will be able to do it without even seeing themselves directly just by looking at their own body or how they move through existence based on willpower.

I think the same.

Word.