A definition of evil...
Posted by Wonky 10 years, 6 months ago to Philosophy
It has no specific purpose. It seeks no particular ends.
It is simply man using his abilities to gain control of other men, and failing that, redirecting his abilities to destroying them.
That it is both in one is what makes it an abnormal concept.
evil = control or destroy
It is simply man using his abilities to gain control of other men, and failing that, redirecting his abilities to destroying them.
That it is both in one is what makes it an abnormal concept.
evil = control or destroy
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Assume for the sake of argument that I've allowed your approval or disapproval of me have some degree of impact on my self-esteem (Cheryl Taggart to Jim/Eddie Willers to Dagny). I've granted you a degree of power over me such that I may act in ways which gain your favor or avoid your displeasure.
I can't imagine that Dagny's lack of knowledge that Hank's bathrobe was visible to Eddie in her apartment could be considered evil no matter how destructive it might have been to Eddie's psychological wellbeing.
There is no doubt, on the other hand, that Jim desired to destroy Cheryl’s self-esteem the more indifferent she became to his approval or lack thereof.
By “specific purpose”, I mean that Jim (the evil), might have had any number of reasons for controlling Cheryl (symbol of his altruism, seeking what he perceived as her lack of self-esteem as validation of his own, worthless wretches giving one another unconditional love as validation of his moral code, etc.). Only after he lost control of her did he begin his frequent attacks on her self-esteem (attempt to destroy her).
To clarify, the failure to control resulting in the desire to destroy is the evil. The purpose of the control, how it was obtained, and whether it was intended to be put to any particular use is irrelevant to the response to the loss of it.
Granted, if I attempt to buy you a meal in exchange for your vote for a specific political candidate, I’m probably evil insofar as I will probably seek some form of vengeance if I learn that you did not follow through. Isn’t that really just a premeditated version of the same formulation?
:D
Do you think evil requires intent? By your first statement I would say not. As an example, someone makes a mistake. They did not intend to be anti-human , but their actions were. Were their actions still evil?