How do you define 'evil'?

[Chosen Enemy]

In real life there are no 'villains' or big bads, like on tv. The mean ones usually think they're the good guys, because they believe that what they do is the right way to go.
And in real life we don't have all those demons, vampires or creatures without a soul. But there are mean people who enjoy hurting others.

So does 'evil' really exist? And how would you define it, in the real world as opposed to the movies/tv?

 

[randiann]

It's easy to define; I can do it in one word: lyri.



And now that I've had a chuckle, I'll let someone else give an actual answer.
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[arabella]

I suppose if I were to use the word Evil in conversation, it would be used to refer to something morally reprehensible or sinful as defined by my own subjective judgment rooted in societal standards...or, as Randiann said, Lyri. 😉
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[Skytteflickan88]

It all depends on the person and situation really.

I usually define evil as a act done out of a wish to cause pain. A lion killing it's dinner isn't evil, it's hungry. A murderer killing for the sake of killing is evil. But what about the cat playing with the mouse? Is it aware that the mouse if hurting, enjoys it and thus is evil? Or is it not evil, because we see it as hamrlmess? The murderer I just mentioned might not have a conscience, and can't comprehend the adamge he's causing. Or he's mentally ill and can't stop himself. Even if he wants too.

I think it's hard to define what is evil. We would say that a pedohile is evil, but what about those pedophiles that kill themselves so they won't hurt others? Are they evil? And what about the molested boy who grows up twisted and molest others? Is he evil to the core of just by chance?

It's hard to make a good definition. I think I've commited evil acts. I'm smashed bugs because I'm bored. Other times I have lifted masks of the road after it's been raining so they won't get killed. Does that make me evil?

It's just a word, a insult really. That's how it's used best according to me, because we can all define it differently, and it depends on the situation as well.

 

[Lyri]

It's easy to define; I can do it in one word: lyri.

I have no words to properly express this evilness of this stunt! Shame on you, Randi. SHAME!!

LOL, that was quite funny to see, I wasn't even going to come into this thread.

 

[Kean]

To me "Evil" is not some spiritual or supernatural force. Good and evil are a choices. They aren't perpetual states of being.

I think there are many levels of both and that every person has the capability of being both. In fact, I think everyone has/will be both throughout their lives.

To me if you call someone "Evil" it's because they have chosen that path more than "Good". They have made selfish, cruel and, devastating decisions with the intent to do harm and cause pain. Even more than that, they enjoy these choices and their consequences. That's evil to me.

 

[InsaneMystic]

I don't believe in moral constructs like good and evil. Relativist concepts like "ethically inappropriate" or "illegal/unlawful" - now, those make sense to me, but morality should have died out along with concepts of slavery, absolute monarchy etc. who rank about as high on the enlightenment scale IMO. 😛

(Which is excatly the reason why I consider The First the lamest Big Bad Joss Whedon ever came up with.)

 

[Kean]

I don't believe in moral constructs like good and evil. Relativist concepts like "ethically inappropriate" or "illegal/unlawful" - now, those make sense to me, but morality should have died out along with concepts of slavery, absolute monarchy etc. who rank about as high on the enlightenment scale IMO. 😛

(Which is excatly the reason why I consider The First the lamest Big Bad Joss Whedon ever came up with.)

I think I pretty much agree with a lot of what you said here. I also think "Evil", when applied in the real world, diminishes responsibility because it carries the implication of the Evil Doer possessing limited free will. Instead of the person being the actor, "Evil" is.

However, just on your terminology above, especially "ethically inappropriate", I'd argue they basically hold the same meaning.

 

[InsaneMystic]

I think I pretty much agree with a lot of what you said here. I also think "Evil", when applied in the real world, diminishes responsibility because it carries the implication of the Evil Doer possessing limited free will. Instead of the person being the actor, "Evil" is.

Just to show that you and me can hardly ever agree - I don't believe in free will... 😀

However, just on your terminology above, especially "ethically inappropriate", I'd argue they basically hold the same meaning.

The main difference between morality and ethics, IMO, is that ethics are the product of convictions you have formed yourself; guidelines helping you to achieve the goals/realize the values you believe in. Thus, ethics demand critical thought by yourself, and are necessarily subjective.

Morality, however, postulates an objective set of values as declared by some kind of authority. Basically, every moral system can be boiled down to "obey your superiors", differing only in who exactly those superiors are. To me, that's second-hand ethics for dummies. 😉