How would one define evil.?

Answer 1

George Bush

Answer 2

That's kind of a tough one. In order to define evil, one first has to have a conscience. Most people's consciences guide them concerning what is right and wrong based on an intrinsic sense of morality, rather than what rules or the law says should be done. In this case, anything that is perceived as profoundly immoral, malicious, or wicked would be considered evil.

Yet we have many chilling, documented examples of people who were evidently born without a conscience and who commit unfathomable acts that harm others. If they lack an intrinsic sense of right and wrong, can they be defined as evil?

I think this is a very serious question, and I am certainly not equipped to answer it definitively. But I ponder it often.

Answer 3

Interesting question. The answer is: it depends on your frame of reference. Evil is a concept that arises directly from a system of morals and ethics that are generally agreed upon by a society. Certain actions and attitudes are deemed to be wrong by that society, and the commission of those actions is an act of evil. On a more abstract scale, religions and theologies (most of which also institute a system of morals and ethics of their own) personify evil as a demon, devil or trickster, symbolic of our inner desire to break rules and go against the societal moral system. We've decided it's wrong to steal, for instance, but there's that little voice saying, "But you want that thing, don't you? Why don't you just reach out and take it? No one will know..." Our society determines for us what is good and bad, right and wrong, and our desire to do the wrong thing because it pleases us is what many consider to be the influence of evil, to do harm to others or give in to destructive tendencies.

Is it evil to kill someone? Ask certain tribesmembers in New Guinea and you might get a radically different answer than if you asked someone on the street in New York or London. It depends on your society and system of beliefs whether or not anything can be considered evil and exactly what that means.

Answer 4

evil:

Adjective
Inflected forms: e·vil·er, e·vil·est 1. Morally bad or wrong; wicked: an evil tyrant. 2. Causing ruin, injury, or pain; harmful: the evil effects of a poor diet. 3. Characterized by or indicating future misfortune; ominous: evil omens. 4. Bad or blameworthy by report; infamous: an evil reputation. 5. Characterized by anger or spite; malicious: an evil temper.
Noun
1. The quality of being morally bad or wrong; wickedness. 2. That which causes harm, misfortune, or destruction: a leader's power to do both good and evil. 3. An evil force, power, or personification. 4. Something that is a cause or source of suffering, injury, or destruction: the social evils of poverty and injustice.

Answer 5

I would have to say that evil is an intentional malicious kind of act or thinking on the part of the person or thing causing the unwanted circumstance or outcome. Wow, did I say that!!!

Answer 6

Evil is the negative and necessary counterpart to good. The yin and yang, karma, good times and bad...
It reverts back to the age old question: if everything in life was good, how would you even know? You'd have no point of reference to be able to appreciate what is good.

Answer 7

Evil is essentially selfishness, or self centeredness. To care about others is a good thing, to not care is bad. Its a simple definition, but it has always worked for me.

Answer 8

to do the opposite of good and getting pleasure out of it. Sometimes it's the only choice because being good doesn't usually bring a lot of pleasure

Answer 9

my ex