What is evil?

Question

It seems to me that "evil" is a purely relative term. Whenever I think of evil, I think of someone like Hitler. However, in Hitlers mind, he thought of himself as a hero and he honestly believed that he was doing the right thing. So why wouldnt he do what he thought was right? People that supported Hitler didnt see him as evil, they saw him as a hero. (note: i am not pro nazi...Hitler is disgusting)

But i simply wonder, what is good? what is evil? is there really any difference?

Answer 1

I was going to say exactly that... its in the eye of the beholder, like beauty.

Moral descriptions are always relative to the point of view.

Answer 2

Do you think that some of the more spiritual people in history believed there was such a thing as evil. Jesus, Buddha etc.. ?

Personally I don't think that such a thing even exists. There are people out there who are pretty screwed up, who are suffering deeply and who do things that I simply cannot understand but I do not believe that they are evil, because if they are, it just doesn't work with everything I have learned about humanity and spirituality.

I have been to some pretty nasty places too. I have seen evidence of genocide, the effects of war, the malnourished and dying orphans. So much in this world is impossible to comprehend so much suffering, but that doesn't make man evil or capable of evil. When you hear the stories of those who carry out such atrocities they are just a tragic as those who they wronged. If you say the man who kills Innocent children is evil then what is the man who stands by and lets it happen. What is the man who goes into the shop and buys the products that feed the economy that encourages that behavior. How much do you know about the products that you buy and where the money goes too?

Answer 3

There is a big difference in good and evil.

> Good actions don't cause those around you to suffer like in Hitler's case.
> Being good is morally excellent and satisfactory in quality, quantity, or degree.

Is being evil going to get you fair in life? It may, but not without causing harm due to actual or imputed bad conduct or character.
Some people may see evil (like in Hitler's mind) as being heroic and causing a better life for others. Is this always true for other people?
If Hitler saw what he did to every single Jew, do you still think he would claim himself a hero? If any person who has done "evil" ever saw it through someone else's eyes (particularly ones that were being harmed by this evil) do you still think they were doing good?

So long story short, Hitler probably wouldn't think he was doing "good" if he saw what happened to the millions of Jews because of him.

Answer 4

Evil is whatever the vast majority of men perceive it to be. If there were enough people believing that Hitler was righteous, then eventually all others would follow and then "he" would have become the new definition of "Good."

Is there a difference? Not really. It all comes down to self-comfort. But most people generally think casting pain and deciding fate upon another human beings regardless of religion or color is considered evil.

Answer 5

The wayyou are looking at it there is no evil and no good, mearly different points of views and different pursuits of dreams and hopes which might sometimes be more apealing to the masses and contradict thos points of view that are less apealing. Making the most apealing good and the less apealing bad.

Then again we could define evil as that which goes against moral and ethical values set for each and everyone of us, either the ones that have been set a society for a standard or those that we believe in for ourselves.

Evil has also been defined as the abscence of good, being in this case good, the desire within peoples hearts to make others feel good.

Nietzsche Defines evil as soimething that is inside everyone and no one escapes it, it is within the human nature to be evil, to do evrything because you will got something in exchange, every human wants to get something good or something they want in exchange for their actions. Nietzsch says that men act by convinience, they will never do something out of pure and simple good will, even religious do this, the make good deeds in exchange for their peace of heaven at the end of their lives.

As I have said with other things... You cannot define something that goes beyond your imagination, I don't think anyone yet has seen the true face of evil so it is possible that we won't be able to define it till we do.

Answer 6

When the Judgment assumes itself as Will, that it is the Will, then you are evil. The Judgment is negative, the Will is positive. When the Judgment can not judge itself, it can not identify the Will truly as it is, but only as it 'should' be, and alternates the rightness of an act according to identity rather than the nature of the act itself, the means and the end are separated, and self identity becomes a question of who 'should' I be now and for who rather than "who am I?" as an ongoing judgment for the Judgment. Before every answer there is an action of the Judgment, for which the question stands as evidence. When the ego becomes such that only its certainty in its beliefs is content for the spirit, and doubt becomes the identity for evil, then that self is evil.

Answer 7

Good observation indeed. One that can vastly improve ones judgment skills. From all I've seen, Life is about progress and lack thereof, therefor when you say "Have Good afternoon." you're saying "have a progressive afternoon."
Similarly when things are going good, one is happy.
Evil on the other hand is something else. Although it's still applied by means of opinion, if taken literally, It can pose disastrous effects on the self and others.
Because everyone views themselves and their values as 'Good',
'Evil' in contrast can be used as a motive for hate.
Whats IMPORTANT to note is; Nothing is Naturally Evil, that is, nothing exists solely to be Evil. Just as nothing exists to be feared, only understood. One mans Evil is another man's Good, and 'Evildoers' will always refer to their Progress as good. Bare these things in mind when people toss these words around.
Oh and Happy new year!

Answer 8

Dreaming of evil elements, of evil doing dream characters or of participating in an evil act, is direct suggestion that the dreamer is in conflict within themselves. Acknowledging a "wrong" action, attitude or approach from a waking life situation, the dreamer manifests this moral dilemma on the dream plane.

Answer 9

Evil is a term describing that which is regarded as morally bad, intrinsically corrupt, wantonly destructive, inhumane, selfish, or wicked. In most cultures, the word is used to describe acts, thoughts, and ideas which are thought to (either directly or causally) bring about withering and death —the opposite of life.

Answer 10

I understand....This is exactly why Jesus said we cannot get into heaven by deeds alone.......we need to believe in him.Humans just don't have the capacity to figure it out. Most of us think our way into believing we are good. The best of intentions can destroy another's life. However, if you meditate on all things holy righteous, peaceful, patient, kind, gentle.....you just might solidify a worthy path in this life.