EVIL
I was watching a show on the Travel channel that talks about evil places. On the beginning the hostess waves some holy water around & talking about how it should "bother" the evil entity. It just got me to thinking about evil.
Where does evil come from?
How do we fight evil?
For me, evil comes from within. Every man and woman has the capacity inside to be evil or to do evil deeds. It is within us to choose not to, but we have the ability to be downright nasty.
I firmly believe that we fight evil with intelligence and common sense. The more we know the better we can recognize the evil in others. The more we follow that gut feeling (common sense) the less likely we will fall victim to that evil. How often have you yelled at the TV or movie screen during a thriller or horror move when someone is about to do something stupid?
I know that for a lot of people evil comes from Satan and his demons and that we need God to fight off that evil. I used to be one of those people.
Just a little something....
Let's see where others are coming from & try to understand it.
I used to watch a show, Lucifer, on Netflix, for its entertainment value. The plot of the character aforementioned, aka: "Serpent," "Morningstar," and "Satan." is Lucifer's take on his 'duties and responsibilities.' He is not Evil personified. Instead his job description states Lucifer punishes evil-doers. That is, his sole responsibility is to see to it that mortals and other sorts which are unredeemed are properly punished for their crimes and such.
The 'plot' thickens. . . .
What is Evil?
A working description is called for first, in my opinion.
What is your working description?
Mine? Evil —an activity without any redeemable value.
Some of us would offer praying as such an activity (I am half kidding by the way, just could not resist).
Is that personal? /Sarcasm.
Does that comment have any redeemable value? /Sarcasm.
Something can have no redeemable value but not be evil. To me, evil requires doing harm to someone or something else. For example, playing Candy Crush has no redeemable value, but it's certainly not evil.
That is a good one.
Now now - let's play nice.
I don't know about that - sometimes I could pull my hair out.
My dear Katrix! I'll have you know that Candy Crush is a Rush! It is an exceptional 'stress-buster.' That is valuable!
I got bored of Candy Crush. I prefer Game of Sultans.
"Evil" is inherently subjective. What humans consider evil is almost exclusively describing things with the intent to injure/harm/hurt/maim/kill humans. Doing something "evil" almost always requires intent and some form of harm being inflicted on a human. It's why most have no problem frying up slabs of bacon but would likely become physically sick if they found out they just crisped up and ate some fat sliced off the belly of a human that was intentionally given them by an "evil" being.
A meteor wiping out all life on the planet isn't "evil", there was no intent, it was just following a course likely set millions of years ago by an ever expanding and dynamic universe. But as soon as we add intent, like some super being who hurls a meteor at earth, we assign the label "evil" to its intent to harm humanity.
I find that funny & I do not know why.
I agree that there has to be intent. And the knowledge that the deed is harmful to others.
Good post.
Our debates come from our differing opinions of "harm". I would say that permitting poverty in the richest nation in the history of the world is "evil". Another considers that situation to be morally neutral or even "good".
So how do we fight this evil?
Strangely, the viewpoint can dramatically shift dependent on the reasons behind the intent. For example, if a persons intent is to fire a rifle at another humans head, on its face one might assume "evil". But if it's a sniper intending to shoot a violent criminal who is holding another human hostage, well then it shifts from "evil" to "righteous". This further proves how subjective something like the concept of evil really is.
I think you are trying to get me to chase my tail on this. Good points.
I really don't know.
There's a sliding scale that's important here, from "100% me" to "100% us". Fixating on one's self leads, I believe, to not considering others, to being indifferent to others' fates. Cruelty follows.
Perhaps "love one another" is a good recipe.
I am a big proponent of do unto others.
Yeah, but what if you're like our President and enjoy getting pee'd on?
Eiwwwwwww, really? You had to type that? That is EVIL!
Doo doo unto others as you'd have them doo doo to you...
I find that we fixate on that, that is what leads to poisoning oneself and so the endure leads to a personal loss which, then it could be viewed as the other person winning. Being consumed by retribution is never a good thing.
Agreed!
In my belief system anything I do comes back to me three fold - good & bad. So I feel if I live by the "do unto others" then it shall come back to me. Therefore I win in the long run.
Hint: That's why Marvel makes billions.
This long-time paramedic doesn't want to bust your bubble, but really bad things happen to really good people.
But most likely at some point they did something bad. Sorry but that is the way I feel & believe.
"There's evil a foot!"
I think evil is a justification for something people don't understand.
To me evil is just a complete lack of empathy and/or compassion.
Some would say Dahmer was evil, I say he was severely, mentally ill.
I agree with that.
When it comes to serial killers I am torn. I can see Dahmer being mentally ill, but Bundy. To me the man was simply evil.
I still see him as being mentally deranged. He kept severed heads in his apartment and engaged in necrophilia.
But he lacked empathy & compassion. I think it is where I am conflicted. Was Hitler evil or mentally ill? Was Rasputin evil or mentally ill? So many people that were executed on the orders from kings and queens - evil or mentally ill? Does greed contribute the evilness in some people?
So many thoughts - have to sort through them again - thank you for stirring them up.
That is where I might get conflicted. Xenocide is a different animal.
Very different.
Those questions lead me to this question:
If mental illness can wipe the evil from evil deeds, does mental illness also wipe the good from good deeds?
I see where you're going and I happen to agree Dave.
Oh wow. Never looked at it that way. Good thing for me to ponder today.
Since most states won't execute the insane, but execute the evil.......... Where is the line?
I did medical exams in the most dangerous prison in the U.S.. In Leavenworth everybody is a trained killer.
So who is evil? The soldier who went nuts or the training and deployment that made him that way?
Was this soldier evil when he racked up 55 kills, or when he tuned up his CO?
I don't actually believe in the concept of evil. To me, it's a religious/superstitious term. People we consider to be evil actually are mentally ill, or have some other bad brain wiring. Some people are born with no empathy or emotions; others are abused into such a state.
Mother Nature is indifferent.
You got that right.
If we agree that evil is "doing harm with intent", then mental illness is not a consideration. Mass murderers are evil. They do harm with intent.
Their thinking may be diseased, but their acts are evil.
I would beware of considering a person evil. Or good. People are complex. They almost always do both good and evil. I'm sure that some executioners at Auschwitz were loving fathers.
I don't believe in evil. It is a concept.
That’s semantics, I think.
It is just replacing bad with evil. It is equating the words as the same.
Lol like a tool shed filled with sharp killey things or a small room with only one exit?
To me evil comes from us and us is the result of our nurture and environment
Mostly by being raised with and knowing/following the normal social mores of society, a minority will require some form of medical intervention and a even smaller minority will succumb to their evil and eventually be punished.
EXACTLY!!!!!
Good answer......
The Concept of Evil (Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy)
I have downloaded the whole article to read later, but did read the Nietzsche part. I started reading the beginning, but decided to peruse it at a more leisurely pace. Nietzsche's concept does make some sense, but damn I keep getting flashes of Bundy's eyes in court and I see evil.
You are right about the human tendencies. I think your example was a very good one since most people I know would at least entertain pocketing it but in the end turn it in.
I forgot to add, this was a nice piece it made me think. Thank you Veronica.
Thank you for commenting. I like it when I actually have to put thought into discussions & then I get articles recommended that I actually learn from. I am actually a nerd - I like to read to learn.
It is in our nature. A product of evolution, it would seem.
Lives in each of us & some of push it down more successfully than others.
The old nature vs nurture argument. Me I lean heavier toward the nurture side of the debate. My opinion only while the capacity for evil exists within us all through nature the capability to follow through with evil is through nurture.
Pretty much my take on it as well. Nurture plays a big role; but I also recognize a biological disposition for evil that can defy nurture. Note: body chemistry at each developmental stage also plays a key role.
I hate to break it to you but, holy water is really just regular water.
Ice is technically 'holey' water... full of tiny air pockets or "holes".
"Once you’ve finished making your holy water, place it in the container of your choice, such as a small glass vial or plastic spray bottle . You can sprinkle it around different rooms in your home to bless them, or use it to bless yourself or a family member when they go to bed at night"
I rather love the idea that Catholics can make their own holy water and then put it in a squirt bottle. Too funny.
Not telling me anything that I didn't already know.
To the Cherokee, Evil is the cause of Disharmony among the Tribes. To the Cherokee, Harmony is the essence of their survival, as each member depended on each other for their survival, and that of the Tribe as a whole.
Thus, anyone, or anything, that created Disharmony among the people and/or Tribe was considered evil and must be eliminated. In the case of a person/persons, there were banned from the Tribe and to fend for themselves. Whatever thing, be it animal or object that created Disharmony in the Tribe it was discarded. The Cherokee were Spiritual people, as were most Native American Tribes, and dealing with evil was not taken lightly.
I agree that a good deal of evil is based on intent, where someone intends to do or say things that they know will cause pain and/or suffering to others, and derives some means of satisfaction from it. While some people think they are being clever in how they go about their evil deeds, they are not as clever as thy think they are, and they are far more transparent than they think.
True evil comes in many shapes and forms, and if one is willing to be observant, it is not that hard to observe.
JMOO
I agree with that.
Thank you for commenting. I like to hear how the Native American tribes see things. As a Wiccan we share many of the same beliefs, or close anyways.
I think so as well. Many Spiritual cultures seem to have very similar beliefs. I enjoy learning about other cultures and their beliefs as well. (smile)
In all fairness though, if it is allowed one it should be allowed everyone...
Sorry JBB....but, I am not sure what your comment is about. Could you clarify a bit more for me please.
I do not know what happened there. That comment was supposed to be a reply on that other article about the Native American graduate who is not being allowed to wear an eagle feather. Something got all crossed up somehow. So sorry for any confusion...
Ahh....OK......it just left me a bit muddled. (grin)
Eat more fiber.
Or take Mallox...
Hmmmm. Bran cereal here we come.
Now there's a study posted that says fruit juices will shorten our lives. After eggs being declared dangerous, the next thing they'll scare us with is potatoes.
Lol I can't have fruit juices, hate eggs so am ok with writing them off but they're going to have to pry my potatoes from my cold dead hands.
I think that holding on to mashed potato's would be kinda hard....
Well the most important thing about mashed potatoes is how much how much catfish to add.
Is there an amendment to the Second Amendment about potatoes?
LMAO well duhh that's why you use your underwear to hold mashed potatoes.
I believe it is called, "Merry Maids Cookbook"
Uhh.....in that case I think I will pass on the mashed potatoes ......>>>>>
Do a lot of people accept your invitation to a dinner you've prepared?
Do you wonder why?
I seriously hate eating out and even at other people's homes. People have different standards of cleanliness, I have found. I don't always approve!
Chef Gordon Ramsey's, Kitchen Nightmares, production bore out my decision some thirty years ago to eat more of my own cooking. The things people do in restaurant. People you better believe me when I say we need food standards, inspections, regulations, and fines!
There was the story of the fine dining restaurant in ___________ (protecting the reputation of a truly "amazing" American city) which I lived over. My living quarters were up and extended to the back where everything was great during the day, but at dusk and all during the night, . . .creatures with long tails were coming out of hiding (as if out of the concrete) and walking along the back fences. Mice and rats people.
Why didn't the restaurant have exterminator services? Beats me. They were in a prime location for tourist traffic.
Lol night, underwear mashed potatoes aren't for serving to people, they're just for walking around in
Have some good incentive, there and I heartily agree. I guess they never thought a customer would be in a position where they'd see them.
*customer
The last two days I have been fascinated watching Youtube videos of the various traps used throughout history to catch (and kill) mice and rats. Both shocking and hilarious. These are really dumb creature that can see another dead rat (in a trap),other littered dead bodies, and still "go for it."
So when the restaurant food and smells (garbage) are so good every day and throughout the tourists nights, I guess the creatures are simply enthralled. They would slip away only when a worker would come out into the service area (below).
Just to be clear, my apartment was up and over at a distance where I had a good view without being affected at all. That (and Gordon Ramsay) taught me a lot about eating out, nevertheless.
This is not so much about the topic of evil, but a momentary diversion. Sorry, Veronica!
OK call me an optimist, but I think that most people are born with equal chances of being good or evil and then life takes over, magnifying weakness or strengths, and so the brain becomes wired. Most will fall into the realm of normal.
That being said, I do think that some people are an "evil seed", but I don't think that happens all that often.
Some people are clearly born that way. Psychopaths and sociopaths can be born or created. I've always thought how terrible it would be to realize when your child is just a toddler that they are what we consider "evil" - what the heck would you do?
My father called me that every so often. I wonder if he know I would grow up to be a witch.
One definition of evil is the absence of good.
Try doing good to replace it.
P&AB.
Enoch.
Why hello. How are you doing?
Thank you for your response. I wish more people would just try to do good. I try (and fail at times), but I keep trying. I also try to make things up for people I have wronged (and again fail at times). The threefold philosophy that I try to adhere to works fairly well. When I have to make a decision about something that will affect others I stop to think about whether or not I will get a boatload of good or a boatload of bad.
Whatever happened to virtue?
As a society we spend an inordinate amount of attention on evil. If we only look for evil then evil is all we will see. Eventually we measure ethical behavior in shades of evil; making choices between the lesser of two evils.
Virtue is the opposite of evil, isn't it? But what does virtue mean? IMO we need to be less concerned with evil and pay more attention to virtue. Having to make a choice between the lesser of two virtues would still be a virtuous choice, wouldn't it? To me it seems that if we don't understand what is virtuous then it becomes more difficult to avoid evil.
Nothing has happened to virtue in my opinion. Except that many see only religious people as having virtue. I would hope most people would live their lives doing good (or virtuous deeds), but we cannot ignore the evil or it will engulf us regardless of how virtuous we are.
Evil (and sex) sells, we the consumer could stop that but we seem to be insatiable in our appetite to get enough of it.
Vice is a temptation that appeals to individual impulses. Is succumbing to temptation evil? Is avoiding temptation virtuous?
IMO deliberately using temptations to entice and manipulate individuals is the evil. Individuals succumbing to temptation may be bad or wrong but not evil.
That raises the question of whether or not deliberately using virtue to entice and manipulate individuals is also evil. As an example, the plight of refugees is used to garner emotional sympathy and entice individuals to contribute money. But is that deliberate enticement and manipulation virtuous or evil?
Interesting question. I will have to ponder.
Virtuous: adjective - having or showing high moral standards.
Moral: adjective - concerned with the principles of right and wrong behavior and the goodness or badness of human character.
Bad: synonyms - wicked, sinful, immoral, evil
"As a society we spend an inordinate amount of attention on evil."
"Virtue is the opposite of evil, isn't it?"
"IMO we need to be less concerned with evil and pay more attention to virtue."
So how would you respond if I said:
"As a society we spend an inordinate amount of attention on being dry."
"Wet is the opposite of dry, isn't it?"
"IMO we need to be less concerned with being dry and pay more attention to not being wet."
It would be virtually impossible to be concerned with "virtue" but not be concerned with "evil". By it's very definition one is the antithesis of the other. Try to define "virtue" without defining it as the opposite of "evil, wicked, sinful, bad".
If society focuses it attention on dryness as undesirable then society will begin seeing dryness and making decisions to avoid dryness. Any amount of dryness completely overshadows wetness; any dryness is unacceptable. Since dryness is undesirable should society expend all its efforts toward eliminating dryness altogether? And if dryness cannot be eliminated should society just ignore dryness?
On the other hand, if society focuses its attention on wetness as desirable the society will begin seeing wetness and making decisions to increase wetness. Adding a little wetness to dryness is a good thing and is certainly better than no wetness at all. Dryness can always be improved by adding wetness, even in small amounts.
By focusing attention on evil, society looks for evil and makes decisions based on evil. Any amount of evil completely overshadows virtue; any taint of evil is unacceptable. Society is forced to choose between the lesser of two evils rather than choosing between the greater of two virtues.
So you're making the argument that we should tell people to "love and be loyal to your spouse" instead of telling them "Don't cheat"? It's aspirational, but I think many will fail to decipher a difference.
Well, if society is motivated to look for evil then evil is all that society will see. An individual succumbing to temptation once will overshadow and invalidate the individual's entire life. Humans are fallible and cannot be absolutely virtuous so finding evil is not difficult, one only need look. Society makes decisions by choosing the lesser of two evils. In that type of society evil always wins.
We see that in our own politics. Political opponents attempt to goad each other into doing something that can be twisted into a perception of evil. But isn't the true evil the attempt to goad and entice an individual into succumbing to temptation? Isn't the political provocateur the real evil in our politics?
Which is the better motivator for society: "Don't do evil" or "Always try to do good"? Should society expend its energy and effort trying to find and eliminate evil? Or should society expend its energy and effort trying to becoming virtuous? The absence of evil is not the same thing as being virtuous.
January 2016 to May 2019…… so far !
It Is Me is "Evil"..... "EVIL" I tellya !
I do like "Sponge Bob" ! It's so cute..... AND FUN TO WATCH..... STILL !
"Evil" seems to be simply subjective these days. If your against ……. ANYTHING …… One is "EVIL" !
Used to be....Evil actually had to hit one in the Friggin Face ...… Literally ....before someone called out......……. EVIL !
EVIL doesn't mean ANYTHING Anymore. Hell, China has it's fans in this Country. Same with Venezuela and Cuba !
Even the Russia Thingy we've been watching for two years is just a Faux Evil Thingy. ALL our politicians still meet with "Vlad the Impaler
" , He's a Vampire.....I've seen it ! I have my soaked in Blessed water wooden stakes ready..... You ?
And, that is why you are never taken seriously. Thanks for the demonstration.
Which one bothered you. The funny parts in the beginning, or the reality at the end..
You know what is really evil: decaffeinated coffee. Or non-alcoholic beer. Or Hawaiian pizza. I mean, it must take a really diabolical person to ruin a perfectly good pizza with fruit.
I agree
On this I must disagree with you. Pineapple with bacon and ham on a pizza was the greatest advance in pizza since the invention of dough
That's what evil does: it pulls you in with deception and gratification.