Does evil exist?

[LongTomH]

That question has been asked by philosophers and theologians throughout human history. We have to say that "Some people commit evil deeds," that's beyond question; but, does "evil" exist as a force or quality, separate from the evil actions of evildoers?

Luke Russell, of the University of Sydney, discusses this at Rawstory: Does evil exist, and, if so, are some people just plain evil?

Many contemporary philosophers agree that if an action is evil it must be morally extreme. It is morally wrong to shoplift, or to tell a lie to avoid jury duty, but to call those actions evil would be hyperbolic. Moreover, philosophers agree that if an action is evil the person who performed that action should not have done so, and is responsible and blameworthy for having done so.

There are interesting disputes to be had over whether violent psychopaths are morally responsible for their actions, or whether they are mentally ill and hence not blameworthy for what they do. If psychopaths aren’t responsible for their actions, then they are not evildoers. But, even if we agreed that psychopathy counts as an excuse, this would not give us grounds to deny the existence of evil actions.

Plenty of extreme wrongs, including atrocities committed during war, are performed by comparatively ordinary people rather than by psychopaths. Since there are many examples of inexcusable extreme wrongs, we ought to conclude there are many evil actions. In this sense, evil is real.

...................//snip

Similarly, not everyone who performs an evil action counts as an evil person. In judging that Hitler was not only an evildoer but an evil person, we assume that evil was part of his character. That’s is not to say we assume he was innately evil, nor that he had no choice but to do evil. Rather, it is to say he came to be strongly disposed to choose to perform evil actions.

This leads into the question of whether a really evil person, like Hitler, is irredeemably evil, something that most psychologists, as well as most Christian theologians would dispute.

The discussion goes on!

[linuxman]

1. I don't believe in it.

Never have, never will.

[butterfly77]

2. Yes,All day long.

[Shandris]

3. As a self-evident concept, yes. But it is neither irredeemable nor always (or even often)...

...intentional.

I've seen a lot of people referring to some kind of supernatural evil, though...and I'm not sure where that mindset comes from. Suffice to say I don't think there is such a thing (although I'm undecided on whether the empathic resonance of an evil action can linger...consider the 'feel' of Auschwitz, for instance -- but that's not 'supernatural' imo even if it does exist, its just nature we haven't fully quantified).

[Slip_n_Slide]

4. Nope... Just evil people...

Many beyond redemption if only for the fact that if they ever became a moral person they could never live with themselves.

[GeorgeGist]

5. Politicians remind me everyday that evil is real.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

6. Morality is a reflection of a society's norms. And, like society, often at odds with itself.

[KT2000]

7. those with a conscience make choices

An old Cherokee is teaching his grandson about life. "A fight is going on inside me," he said to the boy. "It is a terrible fight and it is between two wolves. One is evil - he is anger, envy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good - he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.

This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?"

The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."

[wandy]

8. Evil, as an external force, no...............................

People on the other hand have the capacity to 'produce' evil.
People also have the ability to 'produce' good.
There is also the matter of what is perceived as evil.
Much of the ideology of the Right Wing may appear evil, when to them they believe that they are simply following the teachings of 'god'.
It is possible for a person to pray in the house of the lord (perceived as good) while condemning others for praying to a graven image (perceived as evil).
Mental illness in and of itself is not evil however the actions of a Hannibal Lecter can be thought of as such even if those actions are caused mental illness.
Is gay marriage evil or does the evil lie in denying people that right?
War does not equate to evil. War even if necessary is just plane wrong.

It is possible that a persons capacity for evil is a matter of how much evil they perceive around them.