What is considered evil changes according to the time and culture. I think the concept of evil is extrapolated from what will aid in the survival of the species.
Evil is dependent on both thought and action. Harming another without the intent to do so is not an evil act just as harboring thoughts of murder is not evil if not acted upon. To claim otherwise would be policing thought.
We are a society of context and that is vital in determining the morality of actions. Murder is considered evil except when placed in the context of war. The act may not have changed, but the justification for it has. Society has decided that war is an abnormality and certain acts usually considered evil are acceptable. War has been determined a necessity to human survival (or cultural survival) so an exception has been made to the communal instinct that keeps us from killing whatever we feel like killing. I don't agree with this reasoning. I think we should be strong enough and honest enough to see war for the evil it is, but that is not something most people are prepared to do.
As for a definition. I believe evil is the thoughts and deeds that run contrary to civilization.
Is being evil about intentions/thoughts or actions?
Körïnthïän
2009/05/08 13:36:11
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Some people go about life being nice to everyone, but they hate everyone secretly. Others mean well, but everything they do seem to hurt people.
Inspired by this poll by Geezertalk: http://www.sodahead.com/question/366273/are-some-people-just-...
Feel free to include a definition of evil.
Inspired by this poll by Geezertalk: http://www.sodahead.com/question/366273/are-some-people-just-...
Feel free to include a definition of evil.
Top Opinion
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Rusty Shackelford 2009/05/08 15:38:45
But I think every human on the planet walks a thin line in this aspect. Everyone has negative thoughts sometimes. Don't lie people. Sometimes there are people you just can't stand. Does not liking them make a person evil? Maybe not. But it makes a person mean-spirited if they strike out against such a person either verbally or physically. In this case, only the actions are what you could call evil.
But if a person goes far enough to think about killing someone or starting a war because of some really unjust grudge, then it's evil, whether they act on it or not. In my opinion, thoughts that malicious shouldn't ever cross a good person's mind.
But someone can have think and have intentions that are evil that they then decide to do, that is what I meant by evil as those three.
Anyway, evil in a way is something we cannot comprehend, it is like many things, a theory. People have their own ideas of what evil is, you can't go by just one meaning.
I don't think Society determines our views on what is "wrong" or "right". I think, with the exception of people suffering from an antisocial personality disorder, most people inherently know that it's wrong to kill another person.
I think the "Golden Rule" is inherent-- some people just choose not to treat others respectfully.
"HA HAHAHA HA HA... YOU SAID 'LEAKAGE' HA HAHAHA"
Evil is in the act, if evil was in the thought then we'd all be in trouble. This is where self-control and will power come into play. Of course... if you think about it long enough your subconscious may set you up for evil...
Ever hear the idiom "it's like riding a bycycle..."? When you ride a bike you look in the direction you want to travel. If you look straight you travel straight. Look to the side and you will turn. Look down... and you will soon be covered in road rashes. *grin*
Keep your life straight, and you will avoid evil.
But if you pinned me down on it, I'd say a combination of the two. Maybe the best example to illustrate, homicide is not good to begin with, but it's even worse when someone intentionally kills somebody else. The intent is purely about what's going on in the person's mind.
Unless an outcome is entirely accidental, evil results are to be judged as evil. For example, the people of the Inquisition sincerely thought they were saving souls when they burned people at the stake. They were, nevertheless, not nice.
Evil is dependent on both thought and action. Harming another without the intent to do so is not an evil act just as harboring thoughts of murder is not evil if not acted upon. To claim otherwise would be policing thought.
We are a society of context and that is vital in determining the morality of actions. Murder is considered evil except when placed in the context of war. The act may not have changed, but the justification for it has. Society has decided that war is an abnormality and certain acts usually considered evil are acceptable. War has been determined a necessity to human survival (or cultural survival) so an exception has been made to the communal instinct that keeps us from killing whatever we feel like killing. I don't agree with this reasoning. I think we should be strong enough and honest enough to see war for the evil it is, but that is not something most people are prepared to do.
As for a definition. I believe evil is the thoughts and deeds that run contrary to civilization.
a child is capable of doing evil thing, but can't always comprehend why or what they have done (three year olds killing their infant siblings for example)
You need some intent...
Or, maybe you just need to believe God is on your side.
I doubt that argument would fly in a First-Degree Murder trial.
1. desire to inflict injury, harm, or suffering on another, either because of a hostile impulse or out of deep-seated meanness: the malice and spite of a lifelong enemy.
2. Law. evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others.
I'd say that "just don't care" would qualify as deep-seated meanness.
That doesn't remove their legal responsibility to live within societal norms. Sociopathy isn't all that uncommon, however the majority of them live well within society. The Ruthless Businessman, the Doctor who does research because he actually scares patients...
It doesn't remove the ability to understand the difference, just the ability to have any emotional response. This is why it is no longer accepted as a legal diminished capacity defense.
Malice is an emotion.
No one is really harmed (until action manifests)