Evil - what is it?

[JockSporran]

What do we mean be evil? My definition would be the deliberate, intentional harming of others. It is possible to harm others without actually intending to, but that's thoughtlessness or inconsideration, not actually evil. Evil has to be a consciously taken choice. Any thoughts?

[Octavius]

So sheeples and drones are not evil, even though they may be carrying out an evil act?

On the one hand you are saying we are not sheeples (evil) because we have actively demonstrated against the evilness of the Iraq war, but in your example they were not inherently evil, even though they didn't protest against the carrying out of the evil act?

I guess it is as Martin Luther King said, �He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against it is really cooperating with it.�

Sometimes you are not priveleged with the choice.

[Theland]

.... and toast.

[China Doll]

I think according to my own definition of evil then no because there is no pleasure of bennefit to their behaviour.

Moraly I'm not now so sure... Thanks a lot Ocatvius! ;0)

[Theland]

I am sometimes amazed at how some of my managers go along with the latest thinking in the company simply because the new ideas have come from above, regardless of whether or not they are sensible or not.
They appear unable to question authority. Sheeple.
On a grand scale, Germany, 1933 and the beginning of the anti Semitic laws. Sheeple.
In this country, there are issues that are and have been taboo because to speak out would buck the trend, and so many people do not want to be seen doing that. Sheeple.

[Theland]

I said evil stemmed from selfishness.
It has been stated here that evil describes acts that hurt for the pleasure or benefit of the evildoer.
Add to that, evil allowed to happen that is preventable, because to speak up is not in the interests of self preservation, of life, money, power, position, privelege.

[wizard69]

No work today Theland?

[Theland]

Back tomorrow Wiz. Been off for a few days. Probably won't get much time to post on here after today, some will be glad to hear no doubt.

[Octavius]

If you have evil thoughts about doing something, is it only when you act upon it that it becomes evil?

[China Doll]

I certainly hope so!

[Octavius]

Well you would you err.. evil-thinker-not-doer person!
Oooh, you are good-ish.

[China Doll]

I'm especially good when I being bad.

(Sorry! Couldn't resist... I'll go wash my mind out with soap now,.)

[Gromit]

600,000 + people have died in Iraq since the US invasion.

Is George Bush Evil?

[China Doll]

Yes.

[Octavius]

What about the American sheeple who support the war?

[Gromit]

Bet Theland won't agree that Bush is Evil

[jake-the-peg]

China perhaps you need to ammend your definition to receiving *personal* benefit

[China Doll]

Blush - Good point Jake.. Ahem, moving swiftly on!

I think Bush is according to my definition. Do you think he's evil then Groms?

[Gromit]

With the hundreds of thousands of deaths attributable to his decissions he is undoubtedly evil, but to the likes of Theland, he is a saviour. That is how the likes of Hitler get power, he promises to rid the world of a problem - Jews (replace Jews for muslim fanatics for present day world domination).

[China Doll]

A saviour? Of what?

I've not seen Thelands thoughts on ths before so I'll await the response.

[Gromit]

A saviour of the Jews under attack from the 'Evil' (paedo etc) Muslims.