2007-01-30 08:32:57 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Sociology
The definition of "evil" is morally bad or wicked. The concept of morality is a societal standard of rules and behaviors of conduct. Simply put there would be no evil if there were no society. The culture in which you live sets the standards of what is evil or not. An example would be "cannibalism." In today's international morality it is evil. However, several hundred years ago, many cultures on the planet considered this not evil, but part of their religious and military standard.
A male child raised in the jungle by animals may wander into your yard, kill and eat your dog, steal your shoes and kidnap your daughter. He by your community morals would be "evil". However, by his standards, he is just living -- there is no evil involved.
2007-01-30 09:08:21 · answer #1 · answered by cranura 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
With all due respect, are you sure you understood the question? Sociology does not deal with value judgements that way. Saying something is "good" or "evil" involves a moral evaluation that sociologists cannot properly make as scientists. Now, if you ask, why do we think of ourselves as "evil" or "good" that's a question sociology can answer--by examining the cultural norms and values that make up our moral code.
And do check this out--if your sociology teacher is incorporating value judgements into her presentation of sociology, she/he is way out of line. Sociologists do study values and value judgements-but we do not MAKE value judgements -not as sociologists. That's fine--as a discussion in philosophy, religion, ethics, law, etc. Not science.
I know that's not an answer to your question--but its not a question that CAN be answered by sociology--in fact, it s a question no ociologist can properly ask--not as a social scientist.
2007-01-30 16:26:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
We can be evil by self wants and feelings. It is harder to think of good feelings when someone does us wrong. That is why we must be taught right from wrong.
Look at the most passive person you know and it is hard to see them as evil, but self preservation in that person as well. Just depends on how we act and our natures if we will be mean and evil.
2007-01-30 08:47:11 · answer #3 · answered by stbill 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I think it's because we're taught to be evil. To value appearance over substance, power and control over service to others. To conform to the expectations of others who share these warped values over being true to ourselves.
2007-01-30 08:43:04 · answer #4 · answered by kena2mi 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Because if we weren't evil thus would be a very very boring world.
2007-02-03 04:05:12 · answer #5 · answered by mexlavanderlover 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
.Sounds like your teacher is particularly evil. Try Holy water.
2007-02-01 09:22:31 · answer #6 · answered by pnn177 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
We are not evil, but we make bad choices sometimes.
2007-01-30 08:41:43 · answer #7 · answered by drshorty 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
b/c if weren't evil, the liberals would have nothing to do.
2007-01-30 19:04:17 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is your teacher having a bad day?
2007-01-30 09:09:53 · answer #9 · answered by trish 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How are we evil? Our greed, our sins. There are so many things...
2007-01-30 08:38:28 · answer #10 · answered by multipły 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋