What is the root of all evil!?

Question

I don't think that it's money because money just represents accumulated "work". Please don't tell me original sin, since I am atheist. However, you can argue using arguments similar to original sin that have more of an evolutionary perspective.

In fact I think it's just human intelligence combined with cruel nature. What is your opinion?

Answer 1

Our thoughts can lead to actions that could turn out to be evil.

Answer 2

Original sin is an excellent and poetic metaphor. What it means is, the potential for evil is a part of our nature, as the things we are. I mean, physical creatures as clever as we are could not logically be all "good." The idea is nonsense ... like the sound of one hand clapping? It can only be this way in this universe.

I'm atheist also and I think the "original sin" metaphor is pretty clever (you just aren't supposed to take it literally. It's a starting point for thinking about the question you have asked. It looks simplistic, but it's not. I think the average religious person does not really understand it deeply).

So the upshot is, I agree with you - it's just our intelligence combined with the nature of the material world we are part of.

Answer 3

Well only humans have the intelligence to differentiate between good and bad, so it should be us humans who are commanded by our mind (evil!) are the root to our bad acts. Money has been described as being the root to all evils as with the weapon money is, all bad acts are committed. But is our life better if no such acts were done with the help of the mind and money in our hands.

Answer 4

Opinion is the root of all evil.

People create opinions, driven by the circumstances around them, which lead to classification of people or events as good or evil.

It is the social structure that we follow, which banishes events which go against the normal understanding of the society as evil.

Had Hitler begun the holocaust just after Christ was crucified, he would have far surpassed Ben Hur in popularity and public support. What say?

A drunken man, killing another man in a fit of rage, could be termed evil (or at least a menace to the society), whereas people who coldbloodedly kill their own likes, in all consciousness, in a battlefield, are deemed national heroes and honored with medals.

Answer 5

Not sex - that isn't evil, and we need it to procreate.

Chocolate pudding could be - but no.

Money is just a tool to enable us to trade - if we didn't have it we would have some other system.

The answer has to be greed.

Greed makes us commit crime for personal gain. War is often just a national extension of the same thing. Even the most atrocious genocides can be traced back to greed : for their land, for the money, for their souls (in a religious war).

Greed is always the starting point - but this is often lost sight of as a conflict develops.

Answer 6

The root of all evil is human nature. We want more than we give, by unfair means, this leads to corruption, and could end with murder or more. The more intelligent a person, the more evil he is capable of becoming.

Answer 7

I totally agree with u.Mankind is the root of all evil.That does not mean that all humans are evil but some of us are really cruel and do not treasure this world.

Answer 8

Consider Isaiah 45.....


I am the LORD, and there is no other;
apart from me there is no God.
I will strengthen you,
though you have not acknowledged me,

6 so that from the rising of the sun
to the place of its setting
men may know there is none besides me.
I am the LORD, and there is no other.

7 I form the light and create darkness,
I bring prosperity and create disaster;
I, the LORD, do all these things.



There's only one root, one source, one maker...None else.

Answer 9

Root cause of all evil is the Mistreated Treated Personality unaware of the truth of Love and Sacrifice. Sick experience and training inherited, forced, or chosen.

Answer 10

I don't think there is one root of all evil. Instead there is more of a recipe for evil which goes something along the line of;
3 oz of fear.
2 oz of greed
1 oz of ignorance.
2 teaspoons of historical grievance
1 tablespoon of self righteousness
a pinch of spite.
now mix those together and add weapons.

Answer 11

Be glad it's not you.

Me thinks you are right if cruel nature is dominated with selfish passions and desires. Especially if one sought to dominate those around himself and slyly using conscious or unconscious cruel means or persons to keep or destroy them in ones sphere of influence.