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What is Evil?
- Thread starter Sunstone
- Start date
Mox
Dr Green Fingers
Evil is basically 'Stuff I don't like'.
In other words it is a highy subjective construct. Good and evil acts or thoughts are different things to different individuals and cultures.
In my subjective mind, evil could be summarily defined as 'Complete or near complete indifference to suffering and injustice'. For me if you fall into that category, that of indifference to suffering and injustice, then you are EVIL, as defined by Mox.
In other words it is a highy subjective construct. Good and evil acts or thoughts are different things to different individuals and cultures.
In my subjective mind, evil could be summarily defined as 'Complete or near complete indifference to suffering and injustice'. For me if you fall into that category, that of indifference to suffering and injustice, then you are EVIL, as defined by Mox.
I assume you mean moral evil and not the 'evil', devastation brought by natural disasters. Moral evil could be defined as the free, deliberate, and unjustified intention/action of inflicting evil on another. Evil is a spin off of life, without us there would be no evil.
Evil is when you get enjoyment out of harming another.
Augustus
…
Religion?
Most things that are branded as 'evil' are really just part of our collective natures.
Spinoza: In so far as a thing is in harmony with our nature, it is necessarily good... A thing cannot be bad for us through the quality which it has in common with our nature, but it is bad for us in so far as it is contrary to our nature.
stvdv
Veteran Member
Unveiled Artist
Veteran Member
I don't know. Evil sounds like a horror movie word to exaggerate how bad something is to the eye like an evil monster of some sort.
Some things are immoral, some bad, horrible, or uncouth, but evil sounds fiction. He's such an evil vampire.
Edit: this autospell on this new phone is evil. Sometimes it spells the whole word or phrase and other times itlookslikethis gobbolly gook. Now THATS evil
WalterTrull
Godfella
Orbit
I'm a planet
Evil is that which disrupts the social order. Murder is evil because you couldn't have a coherent society with everyone murdering each other. Same with adultery, who will know whose kids should inherit if parentage is unclear? Or that adultery leads to crimes of passion. If you scratch the surface of any "evil" you will find a threat to the social order.
Of course that's a very anthropological way of thinking of it, but I think it makes sense.
Evil is the residue of what was earlier good or a natural act. Many human behaviors we would classify as evil are perfectly natural and part of evolution when lower animals do them.
Evil is also partly cultural. Slavery is utterly evil to us but slave-holders used scripture to assert that it was good. Cannibalism is evil but not in cannibal cultures. There are less extreme examples, of course.
Besides being evolutionary and cultural, evil is also political. I trust I don't have to name names here about who is truly evil in 2018 America. But the general sense I mean is those who oppose truth, justice and America's highest ideals.
Evil is also partly cultural. Slavery is utterly evil to us but slave-holders used scripture to assert that it was good. Cannibalism is evil but not in cannibal cultures. There are less extreme examples, of course.
Besides being evolutionary and cultural, evil is also political. I trust I don't have to name names here about who is truly evil in 2018 America. But the general sense I mean is those who oppose truth, justice and America's highest ideals.
What is called evil has very strong cultural orientation and definition. It represents a relic of tribal survival strategies that evolved with human evolution. I believe there are two distinct aspects of what cultures describe as evil: (1) The aspects of behavior that are considered offensive or threatening to the culture, religion or belief system. (2) The tribal view of evil outside the sense of community, and belonging to the culture. Those belonging to other cultures, religions or tribes may be called evil based on the degree of the difference from the beliefs and standards of the culture.
outlawState
Deism is dead
In theological terms, evil is someone who breaks the law of God. Generally an evil person does not even recognize the law of God, so that they don't understand that they are evil, or how evil they are. The greater evil is usually done by persons in positions of power. Evil can be directed against oneself as much as others. Suicide is evil. Deceit, deception and lying is evil. Evil is not just used to describe deeds themselves, but whole categories of people who do not know God and are in a semi-permanent or permanent state of rebellion against God. Evil is also wrought by God against sinners, especially those who cause others to sin.
Jer 23:2
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Luk 17:2
It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Luk 11:13
If you then, though you are [all] evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Deu 1:35
“No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors,
Jer 23:2
Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel against the pastors that feed my people; Ye have scattered my flock, and driven them away, and have not visited them: behold, I will visit upon you the evil of your doings, saith the LORD.
Luk 17:2
It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble.
Luk 11:13
If you then, though you are [all] evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Deu 1:35
“No one from this evil generation shall see the good land I swore to give your ancestors,
Sir Doom
Cooler than most of you
Evil is the term we use to separate ourselves from those who do things we don't want them to do. By labeling something 'evil' we can safely treat them like rabid animals that bear no resemblance to us 'good' people. Its like a social defense mechanism. My long absent two cents. 
Truthseeker
Non-debating member when I can help myself
Evil is everything that breaks the eternal verities of religion and also that which violates the latest social laws. I guess usually we only call something is evil when it is extreme, but everybody is a little bit evil.
I think evil is a religious concept. A way of showing whispered disapproval to those not following their personal moral code. Its so easy to do, "she doesn't go to church, she must be evil", "he is not christian, he must be evil"
Evil has intent to harm.
Used to refer to a person, it is more often rhetorical. Hitler was 'evil,' but he still put his pants on one leg at a time.
outlawState
Deism is dead
What about corporal or any chastisement of a child. The intention is to harm, but how could it be evil if done in good faith?
The flip side of the coin is intention does not seem to be particularly relevant. 3,152 civilians have been killed in coalition airstrikes in Syria. What does it matter what the intention of the pilot / general was? The evil consequence is the same whatever the intent.
Intention goes to mens rea, or criminal responsibility, regardless of the objective evil of the act itself.