Evil?

[lunamoth]

Is there evil in the world?

What is it?

Where is it?

 

[Guitar's Cry]

Yes. It is in our emotional reactions to our relationship with the world.

 

[Buttercup]

Evil is a premeditative (or not) malicious act toward a human or animal intended to inflict harm.

 

[lunamoth]

Yes. It is in our emotional reactions to our relationship with the world.

So evil is only in our perspective?

 

[lunamoth]

Evil is a premeditative (or not) malicious act toward a human or animal intended to inflict harm.

Would you say then that evil is in the human heart?

Is evil related to sin?

 

[Storm]

Is there evil in the world?

If by evil you mean some cosmic polarity in opposition to good, then: no. I don't believe there is any such thing.

 

[Quagmire]

I think evil comes down to putting your own wants and desires above someone else's rights.

It basically comes down to selfishness and immaturity.

 

[lunamoth]

If by evil you mean some cosmic polarity in opposition to good, then: no. I don't believe there is any such thing.

I would not quite define evil that way. I think evil gets its force by twisting good.

Do you think evil has any force? Is it something to be reckoned with in the world?

 

[Storm]

I would not quite define evil that way. I think evil gets its force by twisting good.

Do you think evil has any force? Is it something to be reckoned with in the world?

Then kindly define good and evil for me, please? Are we discussing morality on a cosmic, theological level?

 

[lunamoth]

I think evil comes down to putting your own wants and desires above someone else's rights.

It basically comes down to selfishness and immaturity.

I could agree with that. But it makes it sound not very...consequential. Do you think it is consequential, something destructive, significant? Or a mere annoyance we should be able to deal with easily enough?

 

[lunamoth]

Then kindly define good and evil for me, please? Are we discussing morality on a cosmic, theological level?

We could use buttercups definition for starts. Quagmires post also illuminates the definition of evil. Part of the OP asks 'what is evil?'

 

[Storm]

We could use buttercups definition for starts. Quagmires post also illuminates the definition of evil. Part of the OP asks 'what is evil?'

Ah, but such things unquestionably exist.

What I am asking you is whether you wish to discuss "evil" in terms of cosmic forces or unpleasant happenings. My answer changes depending on yours.

 

[Buttercup]

Would you say then that evil is in the human heart?

If we define evil using my previous term, then yes.

Is evil related to sin?

I don't buy into "sin" in the theological sense. Humans are capable of great evil however.

I could agree with that. But it makes it sound not very...consequential. Do you think it is consequential, something destructive, significant? Or a mere annoyance we should be able to deal with easily enough?

If you are asking if the consequences are evident after the act of evil is performed, I'd say yes oftentimes the act is apparent....to somebody.

Are you also asking if one "pays" for their acts of evil? Not always.

 

[lunamoth]

Are you also asking if one "pays" for their acts of evil? Not always.

No, I was not asking whether someone pays for their acts of evil. I was asking if evil is something we can get rid of with effort, or that we will evolve past (not biologically, but as a society). Are there any ways to lessen evil in the world? To eradicate it?

 

[Buttercup]

No, I was not asking whether someone pays for their acts of evil. I was asking if evil is something we can get rid of with effort, or that we will evolve past (not biologically, but as a society). Are there any ways to lessen evil in the world? To eradicate it?

There are ways to lessen evil in the world. However, our Western sense of what is "evil" will differ greatly from other universal definitions.

Can "evil" be eradicated? Nope. Should we still try to eradicate "evil"? Yup.

 

[Francine]

Can "evil" be eradicated? Nope. Should we still try to eradicate "evil"? Yup.

Evil is the privation of the good. That means it is already a No-Thing. You can't eradicate what is already a lack. But you can do good to those who harm you, that good may abound.

 

[lunamoth]

Ah, but such things unquestionably exist.

What I am asking you is whether you wish to discuss "evil" in terms of cosmic forces or unpleasant happenings. My answer changes depending on yours.

Do you think evil exists as a cosmic force? I think you've already said you don't believe in evil as a cosmic force in opposition to good. To say that evil has it's own power and is in opposition to good is strongly dualistic and suggests that there is an Anti-God (evil) in equal power to God (good), and that I also reject.

But what if evil is a corruption and twisting and misdirection of what should be good? Is that something you would fit into your cosmic view?

 

[Buttercup]

Evil is the privation of the good. That means it is already a No-Thing. You can't eradicate what is already a lack. But you can do good to those who harm you, that good may abound.

Hmmm, seems as though you merely paraphrased what I already said.

 

[Storm]

There we go.

Do you think evil exists as a cosmic force?

No, I do not. I believe that existence as we know it is the process of God evolving, and that the unpleasant experiences that we small theomorphic humans call "evil" are necessary goads to that evolution. Suffering exists that God may come to understand suffering, and this is good.

I think you've already said you don't believe in evil as a cosmic force in opposition to good. To say that evil has it's own power and is in opposition to good is strongly dualistic and suggests that there is an Anti-God (evil) in equal power to God (good), and that I also reject.

This I find fascinating. Can you briefly summarize your theodicy?

But what if evil is a corruption and twisting and misdirection of what should be good? Is that something you would fit into your cosmic view?

No, it isn't. If evil is corruption, what is the cause?

 

[lunamoth]

There are ways to lessen evil in the world. However, our Western sense of what is "evil" will differ greatly from other universal definitions.

I'm not sure what you mean.

Can "evil" be eradicated? Nope. Should we still try to eradicate "evil"? Yup.

I agree. I think we can really only do this for ourselves though, as Francine says, by choosing good. But, can we really get rid of the evil that is even in our own heart, or is more a matter of mitigating it?