What's the nature of Evil? What actions are Evil?
2007-03-04 06:54:12 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
"Evil" is a political term which varies from philosophy to philosophy. There is no such thing as objective evil because there is no action so abusive in nature that it doesn't benefit at least one individual in some manner.
Rape generates sexual pleasure for the rapist.
Genocide generates political power for the genocidal maniac.
Even child abuse generates a cathartic experience for the monster who is so weak as to take his insecurities out on a child.
This does not excuse the action as the abuse generated does indeed outweigh any benefit generates. This only shows that there is no such thing as objective evil, and furthermore no reasonable excuse for the use of objective morality in civilized society.
2007-03-04 07:05:48 · answer #1 · answered by Zenrage 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I do not have a "capital E" definition of evil -- as far as I'm concerned, evil is a function of human perception, not a universal force. (Both creation and destruction are natural functions of the universe, and hence cannot be labelled as "good" or "evil" in and of themselves.) And for most people, "evil" seems to translate into "whatever causes me (or those I identify with) pain or harm".
The closest I can come to a personal, global definition of evil is "that human activity which actively violates another individual and causes them harm against their will without (a) being necessary, or (b) ultimately leading to positive or beneficial outcomes in some other way".
What can I say? I suppose I'm half Utilitarian, half Enlightened Egoist.
2007-03-04 07:07:34 · answer #2 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evil is man made. Some people act evil because of a malfunction in the brain or because of early enviroment issues.
Pedophilia is an evil action. So is rape and murder. John Wayne Gacy acted evil. So did Ted Bundy. Richard Ramirez and Son of Sam. And don't forget Hitler...he was also insane.
2007-03-04 06:59:53 · answer #3 · answered by Stormilutionist Chasealogist 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evil is determined by the society in which you live. So, each society will have different definitions of what is wrong and what is right, what actions are good and what actions are evil. You're asking too broad a question.
2007-03-04 06:58:39 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I believe that man has a natural side and a spiritual side. To me, all the human qualities such as altruism , charity, love self-sacrifice are the spiritual and totally unnatural. It is where the good lies.
The natural side is the animal side. This is where evil lies.
Animals can be neither good nor bad. They have no choice in the matter. Man, does have a choice. If he chooses to behave in an animistic way, that is evil. If he chooses to behave in a humane way that is good.
2007-03-04 07:30:04 · answer #5 · answered by Jacob W 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evil was a creation of man kind and it influence Gods such as Loki.
Evil is just Evil and there is no Almighty evil it just varies from object to person to object[energy].
2007-03-04 07:00:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evil is subjective interpreted by the beholder. Yes, there are acts of violences considered evil by most people but it is still subjective.
2007-03-04 06:59:59 · answer #7 · answered by MoPleasure4U 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Evil is an adjective used to describe actions - it's not a thing.
2007-03-04 06:57:19 · answer #8 · answered by kappalokka 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The definition of "evil" is what the mind of the beholder thinks.
2007-03-04 06:59:06 · answer #9 · answered by C F 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
depends upon the fact that you feel what you doing is evil
and that you can choose between good and evil
2007-03-04 07:00:48 · answer #10 · answered by => the guy <== 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋