Can People be Evil?

[Brian R.]

If you want to make that assumption, go ahead. Imbalances are known to exist in some cases and I choose to institute that assumption for the sake of this topic.

This is more a philosophical argument, than a scientific one.

Definition: "Evil in that their deliberate, habitual savagery defies any psychological explanation or attempt at treatment."

[cjolley]

I hope you view this as back on track.

Originally posted by Brian R.

I believe the subject of the article I posted above believes that evil can be created by environment, such as an abusive childhood. It may only cause a change in the brain that we can't detect.

In fact the change might be one you know very well: learning.

Of course evil behaviors can be learned.
The examples throught history are myriad.


Philosophicaly can otherwise sane people act evily?
Look around. We are up to our necks in it.

chuck

[Brian R.]

If behaviors like evil can be learned, then what causes some to succumb to this influence and not others?

[cjolley]

Originally posted by Brian R.
If behaviors like evil can be learned, then what causes some to succumb to this influence and not others?

Weak will.
Insufficent commitment to goodness.
Or perhaps a teaching process so slow the "student" doesn't notice untill too late, if ever.*
All of the above?

Many reasons.
chuck

* How do you cook a live frog in a shallow frying pan with out it escaping?
Start with the heat really low.

[Brian R.]

"...defies any psychological explanation..."

Really, an abusive childhood is probably understandable as a cause of psycopathism.

[cjolley]

Originally posted by Brian R.

Really, an abusive childhood is probably understandable as a cause of psycopathism.

It's a classic.
Abuse of animals is diagnostic at a very young age.
I've seen it myself in students.

It would be easy to train a young child to be insane.
In fact, it happens all the time.

Chuck

[Brian R.]

For that reason, these people are not considered evil (my definition), but are mentally ill. I am trying to get to the root of the matter - no outside influences or causes.

[cjolley]

And my unsatisfying answer is: we don't have any way to know. (Yet)

Though, Doc's comment points to a question.
Woudl the influence of Satan be considered an "outside influence" in the context of your question?
Chuck

[Brian R.]

Actually, I was considering Satan as the possible cause of non-causal psychopathism, but I am not religious enough to accept that answer. It is the trivial case where there is no further discussion needed.

[cjolley]

Well, my belief is that humans evolved to be cooperative, social animals.
And when one strays too far from that it is evident that something is wrong.

But, the very social aspect of that brings up a difficult question.
BBQing your friend for dinner is evil, but many times BBQing your enemy is not.

Female Circumcision is evil to me, but some people think it is required for goodness.

So befor you can answer your question (if your question can be answered) you will need to define what you mean by evil.
And then you will only have your truth. The guy who thinks Female Circumcision is the only way to save his daughter's soul might not agree with your answer.
Nor you with his.
chuck

[Brian R.]

My operative definition was stated above.

Deliberate, habitual savagery that defies any psychological explanation or attempt at treatment.

Female circumcision is explainable - religion or magic

[az]

I think the word "evil" in this context is only used for people for whose behaviour we haven't found an answer (biological or psychological) yet. It is to be expected that we don't know the reasons for people behaving the way they do, with our limited knowledge of how the brain and psyche function.

I vote against the usage of the term "evil" in court, as evil really is a very vague term.

AZ

[Brian R.]

So you don't think such behavior is just an extreme within the normal range of behavior?

[KvHagedorn]

I think man is inherently evil. Just as part of our makeup. Primates in general are the most evil of animals.. one reason for our success in this damned material world.

[az]

Brian: What is the "normal range of behavior"?

AZ