What IS "EVIL" actually? Have you ever really known an evil person?

Question

And I dont mean bible or devil evil.

Answer 1

Evil is knowingly and continuously doing malicious acts. Hitler was definitely evil. He knowingly had people killed and tortured. I can't prove it but I would go out on a limb and say that Bush is evil. We've got soldiers dying in Iraq not to mention the civil war that is costing human lives and all for what. I can't help it, somewhere underneath it all war is evil. I don't know any truly evil persons. I feel as though I have done some evil things in my life like doing drugs, abandoning my family, and going to prison. I am doing better on all three counts but I would consider my previous actions evil. Interesting question

Answer 2

Not really. I've met some really nasty people. But none that were evil. If someone is really nasty it's usually because of the way they were raised, so you think: 'If they had been raised by really nice parents with loads of resources, money and generosity, would he still turn out the same way? Usually the answer is no, so I think that there is a bit of evil in all of us, but no-one is complete evil.
The devil and stuff like that is usually used to symbolise all the evil from everyone in the world; as well as all the other bad stuff happening like earthquakes etc... Personnally, I think that the bible is overated, far too much bad stuff happens that's similar to today but none of the good stuff ever happens that it proclaims. Not to mention that every year it and other bible followers say that the world is going to end, but it never does. Just give up already!

Answer 3

EVIL is an idea put forth by humans to describe something they see as worthy of hatred and contempt. The exact opposite of the Idea of GOOD. I don't view either good or evil as being real. One person may say that murder is okay and the other person may say it is wrong, who is right?, both of them and neither. They both think that they are right and the other wrong, and if one has more support then they are still not right. For a time people thought the world was flat and we can see that they were wrong. So there really is no good or evil, just people who believe in different things.

And if we go on most people's deffinition of evil then I do know some one who would be considered evil, me.

Answer 4

I consider a person evil when they're concerned with themselves above all others, and do not care how their actions affect the world at large, or think that their own goals are more important than anyone else's suffering.

There are quite a lot of evil people out there, by that definition, but by and large, they can change. I've only met a few people who i would call both evil and irredeemable.

Answer 5

This is a great question. Evil is yet another subjectivity. But for myself personally, the definition of an evil person is one who consciously wishes harm upon another person, in any capacity, whether it be mental, physical, or emotional. Evil can be bred in many forms - in violence and in subjugation, in betrayal, racism, in dishonesty with an intent of malice. Whatever it be, when it is done out of full consciousness and awareness of the evil that is being done, that is an evil person to me.

I have to say, that even though I am young, at 20, I have come across evil persons. I am a believer in the goodness of people through and through, but I am not naive enough as to think that malicious people do not exist in this world. Still, my faith and the experiences that have governed my viewpoint lead me to believe that there is much more good encapsulated in this world than evil, and that is enough to allow me to live my life freely without fear of the evils that may be.

Answer 6

I've met some evil people. People who didn't seem to have any morals, shame or remorse whatsoever. They were liars, deceitful, self centered, and control freaks on top of everything else. These people also seemed to enjoy causing problems for others. They could also be violent at times. I now know that these individuals were psychopathic. The people I've described may not seem all that bad (I know there are far worse people out there) but these types can wreak havoc in ones life.
I've managed to put these few individuals out of my life completely and I'm always looking out for those characteristics if I meet someone new.

Answer 7

Evil is whatever you define as deviation from some moral value.

Personally, I don't see anything as evil as thinking that way does not benefit me or the person I might see as evil. To see something as evil is to close off my own understanding, compassion, and extension of love towards them. And that would turn me into the very evil I'm trying to condemn.

Answer 8

Evil is a moral construct. Extremely subjective. I have never known an evil person as the definition is a static construct in a dynamic world.

Answer 9

I think so, there was the girl Jen the Receptionist - and she was truly evil. There was no good in the girl. Although she was good to her sister and her cats. So she wasn't totally evil. Hmm, so there was some good in her. Maybe I haven't known anyone 100% evil so that's a good thing.

Answer 10

The devil is an evil person and I think I have met plenty of people that have him in them. You say you don't mean by that, but that is the only person that is evil. No one is evil, just the devil and he goes in people and tries to rule the world! He tries to take people away from Jesus!