2006-07-07 09:53:59 · 29 answers · asked by cindy 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
Okay it's not a phrase! I just wondered what it meant.
2006-07-08 11:45:41 · update #1
It means a bad thing that has to happen. Getting a shot in the a$$ for example. You don't like it, you don't want it, but you gotta have it.
2006-07-07 09:56:45 · answer #1 · answered by kelly24592 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Necessary Evil Definition
2016-11-01 11:28:47 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A necessary evil is something you know to be wrong or bad but must do in order to avoid a greater evil or do for the betterment of others. The problem is that this phrase often gets twisted by many people.
Homicide bombers in Iraq think that blowing up a marketplace filled with women and children to kill one American soldier is a "necessary evil".
The atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki was a necessary evil that saved countless American soldiers from having to invade Japan.
Stalin decided that allowing tens of thousands of his people starve for the greater glory of the communist revolution was a necessary evil.
So some of it does depend on your perspective.
2006-07-07 10:03:48 · answer #3 · answered by Crusader1189 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It applies the use of an action that maybe considered by some as unpleasant.
For example torture is considered to be very evil.
However some people believe that if you use use torture in the name of good, then torture can become a "necessary evil".
Personally I think the term is used to justify evil deeds performed by evil men.
But then that's just me.
2006-07-07 09:59:16 · answer #4 · answered by sw21uk2 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Having to do something that may appear evil/bad, but necessary. A good example:
WW2: it was necessary to go to war to stop Hitler. Many allied troops died protecting the countries at war. A necessary evil?
2006-07-07 09:58:45 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
For example....You want to cross the road to get something to eat because that is the only place that has food. The road however is very very busy. The only way to eat is to deal with the road. The heavy traffic is the "evil" and the "necessary" is the food.
2006-07-07 10:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means one needs to use an undesirable action to get a positive outcome, such as one may have to go through chemotherapy to achieve and regain health. Obviously, the chemo would be the necessary evil to the path of health.
2006-07-07 10:01:16 · answer #7 · answered by limeyheart 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An excuse to do some kind of injustice on someone or something evil to a group of people.... "Bob also has a valid viewpoint.... " I was thinking more along the lines of war as an injustice knowing full well lots of innocent people die or suffer at the hands of war.
2006-07-07 09:57:42 · answer #8 · answered by ~ Lavender ~ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Necessary evil.
It's like having dropped atomic bombs on Japan - it was a horrible horrible thing, but it had to be done to end the war.
It would be like assassinating someone like the leader of North Korea - it goes against everything that most people believe (that life is sacred), but it might prevent a war.
2006-07-07 09:56:58 · answer #9 · answered by tagi_65 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A necessary evil is "SOMETHING" that you MUST have in order to achieve or accomplish something necessary in your life, but this "SOMETHING" is loathsome.Two examples are :
1.if you need to buy a new car, you have to go to a car salesman at the dealership .....the car salesman is the "necessary evil"
2.if you need to petition a court, you have to have a lawyer ..... a lawyer is a "necessary evil"
Thanks for the question !
2006-07-07 10:06:27 · answer #10 · answered by SpongebobRoundpants 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's usually hyperbole. The "evil" is usually a distasteful or painful act that facilitates or is necessary as a requirement for a desired outcome.
2006-07-07 10:01:05 · answer #11 · answered by insideoutsock 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋