Has science been able to explain why people do evil things?

Question

Killing for fun for example.

I really want to know ofcourse, having read my share of psychology, the current explanations dont sound convincing because if we did understand why people did evil things, we wouldnt be asking that question to ourselves over and over.

Answer 1

Yes, it has actually.

Do you really want to know the answer, or are you trying to make the strawman argument that since science 'obviously' hasn't that your religion must be the only explanation?

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Alright -- you want to know, I'll tell you.

First, evolution has instilled in us two basic social instincts that are common to all social mammals -- empathy and altruism.

Empathy is the ability to feel as another feels, to place one's self in the other's shoes. Altruism is the capacity to sacrifice for the self to the greater good of the whole. The absence of empathy leads to psychopathy, the absence of altruism leads to sociopathy, absence of both leads to genuine monstrosity.

In that some people are born without them, the proper term is not 'instinct' but predisposition.

These are extremely generalized terms. Human ethics has the added complexity of complex social structures that do not exist in other species. Empathy and altruism do not absolutely tell us whether it's okay to drive five miles over the speed limit, or to perform elective cosmetic surgery, etc. This is because morality is goal-based. That which is towards the goal is good, that which is away from the goal is bad. The society, the culture, the subculture, in general defines the overall goal, but the individual has their own goals as well.

I am a member of numerous subcultures. What might be considered morally acceptable in one might be considered morally unacceptable in another. These two subcultures have different definitions of right and wrong. So while I may act from one set of rules, and call myself good, the people of the other set of rules would call me bad.

Good and evil are the distinctions between the goals.

If my sole goal is to live my life with everything I can get my hands on, then it is good for me to kill and steal. But because the society around me does not share the goal of my total happiness and possession, they call me evil, and because my goal conflicts with theirs, they are perfectly justified in calling me evil, while I am perfectly justified in calling myself good.

Answer 2

Well, obviously brain tumors and mental illness have been and still are being studied. The importance of a correct balance of neurotransmitters is now well understood. The burning question is really, why do apparently normal people commit evil acts? Personally, I feel the answer is more sociological than psychological. Our culture tends to ostracize and marginalize people who deviate from the norm. Such people are expected to behave according to the rules of our culture, but are effectively excluded from the benefits of belonging to that culture. Shunning those who are different and excluding them from participation in daily life causes a deep sense of alienation that often spirals into hatred and ultimately into evil acts.

The question was whether science provides an explanation for this behavior. The answer to that apparently depends on whether sociology is considered a science.

Answer 3

Ill tell u why they do it.
I believe that when we arnt normal we tend to supress our feelings from a group or most ppl. Then this anger and hatred emerges in the form of energy that is used to do evil things. It bad energy that ppl try to get out on someone else ..That is why confident and normal ppl tend to be nicer! Some however fake this niceness supressing other feelings and then since the energy needs an outlet it comes out in the form of pain inflicted upon another.

Answer 4

Christianity does much better at explaining this. Just blame it on satan, and case closed. What a goofy religious notion that is. Otherwise, yes, science can explain why some people kill for fun. It is not very complex, to those who are able to think.

Answer 5

Yes, yes it has. It's called Psycosis. See the analysis of serial killers and other diseased minds in modern psychology and pathology.

Answer 6

it is called "psychiatry". Science doesn't deal with "good"and "evil" and they don't have all the answers,granted.Much progress has been made in the field of aberrant behavior though,and there are medications that help

Answer 7

If there is no God there is no evil. If I'm going to die, and not have a resurection, then I'll simply get rid of my enemies and take what I want and retire in prison with free meals and medical.

Answer 8

hahah since has tried to say that humans have evolved from monkeys , if this was so why are there still monkeys and there have been human remains found from millions of years ago, science is based only on theory not facts, so no

Answer 9

Yes psychologists are aware of the brain's chemistry and how it can affect people's actions.

Answer 10

sexy kit.

learn to spell. and go read a book