March 11, 2006
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A Definition of Evil
From observation of numerous stories and real life circumstances I have decided to put forth this possible definition of evil. Evil mind you is something I think of as different from mere recklessness or thoughtlessness or any harmful act that can be partially attributed to chance, though many call those things evil as well.
Evil Definition:
Evil is when intelligent thought meets a rational disconnect.
Usually the disconnect results from some emotional barrier making it impossible for the otherwise well reasoned individual to pull their thoughts through to the normal conclusion. A destructive impulse or being too prideful to admit inaccuracy are common examples. Emotional trauma is perhaps the most common of all. Other times the disconnect can result from just a mistake in reasoning, or a flawed piece of evidence, or even being mislead into believing the incorrect connections between ideas. It could even be the result of physical trauma and resulting mental medical problems.
The irony of course is that the evil person perceives the good people as being the ones who hit the rational disconnect and are failing to see through to the true rational conclusions of human actions. To them it is we who are too naive to see the harsh truth of what is right. But then of course my definition still holds just as well, for in their minds they are good and we who disagree are evil.
