Being evil - what does it really mean ?

I've wondered this question for some time now, of what one really means when they say someone is evil and through my wondering I've raised some questions that I don't think anyone can give a right or wrong answer to, merely they can just offer their opinion on what they think being evil entails.

Now this may cause some controversy, I don't think many humans are truly evil, most we casually call evil aren't actually evil at all.

Now I know what you're all thinking, that I must be silly to consider such a thought and that there are people who are truly evil on this planet who enjoy nothing more than seeing the suffering of others and on that I do agree, there are psychopaths who revel in the misfortune of others and that is what I would call true evil within a human.

But let's take terrorists, are they all truly evil, do they all commit their disgusting acts because they actually enjoy it ? Some yes, but most I don't think it is the motivation. Because, most believe they are doing God's work, they believe that their act no matter how vile or disgusting is somehow working towards the greater good.

Which raises the question, if a person believes their acts are for good, are they inherently evil or simply misguided ?

If they're truly evil, then God's work is not the reason for their act
If God's work is truly the reason then they cannot be evil

Is it the act that makes a person evil, or the motivation to commit the act that makes them evil ?

Let's take another example of vile behaviour (in my opinion) Westboro Baptist Church

What pastor Fred spouts to most is considered hate, however he believes he's preaching the message of God, so do his actions make him evil ? Even though he believes what he is doing is good ? Now I'm sure there will be more mixed views on this as he's not murdering anybody (as far as we know) to get his views across but can we call him evil ?

And if we accept that people doing what we consider evil, to be not evil, then what do we call them ? Deluded ? Wrong ? Sick ?

But then it calls into question of whether a persons belief is right or wrong and how do any of us have that answer ?

And to touch a final point, if God does exists, would he forgive him somebody doing a terrible act if he knew their intentions were good ? And if no God exists, is there actually any right or wrong beyond our own preconceived idea/feelings of what is right and what is wrong ?

I'm curious what you all think on these very philosophical questions and hopefully we can have a civil discussion on what it is to be evil, or not

Even when a person believes his acts are good, when they are in fact evil, is not an excuse from judgement. They have allowed themselves to be deceived by believing their evil acts are good. They did this by choice for whatever reasons.

flip the letters and live a little.

From what I have seen, others will think you are evil when you go against their ideals. And that is as far as they will allow their thought process to go.

From my perspective, evil it is when you interfere with another person's free will.

But then that brings up another question. Are you considered to be committing evil in interfering with another person's free when trying to stop them from harming another person?

I define evil as enjoying or wanting to harm others.

Oh come on, as if you didn't know!!!

a reply to: Discotech

Evil is a point of view.

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originally posted by: blueyedevilwoman
a reply to: Discotech

Evil is a point of view.

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But then, evil does not actually exist if its only basis is on a matter of perspective

originally posted by: Discotech

originally posted by: blueyedevilwoman
a reply to: Discotech

Evil is a point of view.

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But then, evil does not actually exist if it's only basis is on a matter of perspective

What if that perspective is the only reality? Think a bit more aye.

You kind of put us psychopaths in a bad light. We are not all killers and users. Some are bright and functioning very well with the rest of you sheep. Like myself.

Evil is in the eyes of the beholder and the doer. All other ideals and perceptions are null and void.

Me, stealing an apple because I'm starving. To me it's for survival and a need at that point in time. To the merchant, I'm evil for stealing is product that took his time and effort into acquiring.

There is no good or evil per say. Every action has a consequence no mater what it could be

Well i would gladly wipe out all the evil people who are currently infesting the earth. That would make me evil too even if i had good intentions in doing so. A small price to pay but god or the devil are not interested in making a deal. I think every person goes through an bad or evil phase at some point in life and the hard part is to find your way back. I'm by no means a good person but i reflected on my bad deeds and decided to redeem myself even if it's an impossible task without any religious bs mind you. You can be a good person without following a stupid holy book. It's just really difficult and requires a lot of effort on your part. First off youhave to accept the simple fact that you alone are responsible for every bad decision you make. God or religion has nothing to do with it. That's why i despise it so much when someone tries to excuse his evil actions through religious reasons.

I'm very extreme when it comes to certain things i deem evil and despicable. Human trafficker for instance are one of the worst. They profit from the suffering of others and nobody who is willingly involved in that should get a free pass ever. Scumbags like them deserve to be publicly executed. I always shake my head when a tax evader gets a higher prison sentence then any rapist or child murderer. Germany is way too hard on minor criminals and too soft on the serious criminals. Observing our courts dishing out laughable sentences is really frustrating. Rape a woman and you get 2 years on parole but if you evade taxes you get 10 years. The justice system is pretty f#cked up.

"But then it calls into question of whether a persons belief is right or wrong and how do any of us have that answer ?"





that is one I have had to come to terms with. When you realize that there are some other definitions of humanity or moral values than your own. Perhaps just as valid.
What I'm saying is that, it's an awakening to be re-adjusting your orbit.

a reply to: ConscienceZombie

You are trying to create a grey area where there is none. Was the apple yours? No? Then you are in the wrong/evil.

Simple.

You raise another good point though. Can someone that does not have empathy follow a moralistic life?

Can a psychopath be good?

originally posted by: ClovenSky
a reply to: ConscienceZombie

You are trying to create a grey area where there is none. Was the apple yours? No? Then you are in the wrong/evil.

Simple.

You raise another good point though. Can someone that does not have empathy follow a moralistic life?

Can a psychopath be good?

Of course. You'd be surprised how many good there are then bad ones. They say psychopaths don't have a conscience I say they are wrong and very misguided.

It is a grey area. There's no around that. What's evil to you is not to others. That's the way life is.

Morals is just an idea. We've invented it and trying to make a culture around it. It's nothing.

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
I define evil as enjoying or wanting to harm others.

Well that would mean 95% of the population is evil, if they cheer when ISIS dies. Does the evilness of the victim matter?

a reply to: ClovenSky

It's programming the way you are bred and your mental state However some are weaker then others , I always have said "you control your Mind your mind don't control you. I get thoughts sometimes and ask myself how the heck can I even think this way.

There is proof that some have a Different brain wiring and actually can't help what they do , They scanned 100 juvenile inmates and could predict those how would re-offend/Kill rape with amazing accuracy .

Are you making a case for moral relativism?

There is right and wrong and I think evil comes into play when you factor in intent.

It is like pornography...you know it when you see it. Anytime you intentionally target an innocent especially one that is a small child then you are an evil individual whether you are right or wrong in your thinking or ideas. It is a cowardly act to target children period as most are not even aware of the problems of humanity much less contribute to them nor are they able to make any changes so why would you do it.

originally posted by: iTruthSeeker
Well that would mean 95% of the population is evil, if they cheer when ISIS dies. Does the evilness of the victim matter?

It's a good question, is all murder bad ? or are only certain murders bad ? to kill a member of ISIS is still murder but it's okay because he's an enemy and we don't agree with his belief ?

It makes me think that there is no real universal evil and only the evil of construct within our own minds which has varying degrees of evil and good.

For instance a quick death is preferred by most over a slow painful death if given the choice, however you do not become more dead or less dead by choosing one over the other, the end result is the same, dead. Could this not be applied to evil ? A thing is either evil or it is not, there can be no gradients on a scale of evil ? and likewise a scale for good ?

a reply to: toysforadults

I make no case, I'm merely interested in the opinions of others on this matter

originally posted by: iTruthSeeker

originally posted by: 3NL1GHT3N3D1
I define evil as enjoying or wanting to harm others.

Well that would mean 95% of the population is evil, if they cheer when ISIS dies. Does the evilness of the victim matter?

Yes we are all evil in a sense that we still haven't hunt down every other real evil human being on the planet. Human trafficker,drug lords,pedophiliacs,rapists and all the other despicable scumbags roam free because we don't care. We read and hear all about these people but decided to do nothing. We outnumber them roughly 100 000:1 but we just sit back and watch. A civil society would hunt down gang bangers by themselves and not just wait for the police. We would kill drug dealers because they are a part of the problem. Clean up the cities without pesky lawyers and corrupt cops and judges. Germany has some places where the police and emergency vehicles will never show up. If you are in trouble you're f#cked. That's the future we are heading towards.

I know people don't want to hear this but if you want to change the world the first thing you have to do is unite the people under one common goal. That's nearly impossible and thus the world is never gonna change. If i had the money and the power i would kickstart the much needed revolution myself. It's really sad that the people with real power and billions in their bank accounts are just part of the problem and not the solution.