What is Evil?

[RT Wolf]

I posted some videos by Jordan Peterson in another thread. He has a very interesting way of looking at the world. I found this one where he talks about the nature of evil and how it differs from tragedy which is a sort of foundation of Being. He does a very interesting interpretation of myths and Genesis in particular. You can check it out here:

TVO.ORG | Video | Big Ideas - Big Ideas ? Jordan Peterson

You can find more recordings of his lectures here:

Jordan B Peterson on blip.tv

He essentially tackles the question of meaning. Later on in the lectures, he also comes to talk about how to be good and how to really live a life as a conscious human being (though not using those terms).

I'm not sure whether this is the appropriate forum, perhaps the spirituality forum is more appropriate.

[SimonaRich]

I did not watch the videos but in some religions evil is considered to be our ego.

[Eric Roosevelt]

Originally Posted by SimonaRich

I did not watch the videos but in some religions evil is considered to be our ego.

I have a bit of a hard time with that. I don't think ego is evil in itself. It's more what you decide to do with it. I see evil more as a way of saying "really really really bad". I know that doesn't sound very advanced, but that's basically how I think about it.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by Eric Roosevelt

I have a bit of a hard time with that. I don't think ego is evil in itself. It's more what you decide to do with it. I see evil more as a way of saying "really really really bad". I know that doesn't sound very advanced, but that's basically how I think about it.

Well, it certainly explains the "Devil made me do it" thing quite succinctly, though.

[ggwbach]

I find that evil is when you are entirely self-serving.

the opposite of that is when you offer your aid and intent to others.

one is self-directed, concentrating power unto oneself (at all costs)

the other is radiant, and aims to distribute the strength and power (all benefit from the actions).

rarely does a person fall into either category entirely; we are an admixture of these two motives.

what is clear, is that choices are open to us at every moment of the day to choose which way we want to go with things. The default is a neutral unemotional apathy

so choose your way!

[Sean147]

rt wolf.. thanks for posting this video. I've watched it a few times and it really got me thinking.

When he talks about vulnerability being a desirable precondition of existence.. I never thought of it that way. I never thought of vulnerability as necessary and desirable, I thought of it as something to avoid, even though I knew to step out of my comfort zone. I guess it was just a subconscious belief I had, I had to sort out that conflict between the two.

I thought being strong was the opposite of vulnerability, when really its the willingness to be vulnerable that makes you strong. When your learning from your comfort zone you can get arrogant, without even recognising it. So you've got to push your limits, that lets you appreciate them and that appreciation keeps you humble and grounded. Don't know why I never seen that before, especially because alot of my favourite writers in personal development say exactly that, I guess we can only learn the lessons when we're ready.

Don't know what I'm goin to do exactly but I'm planning on taking some risks to get back on my feet. I'm still looking for work but in my situation, I don't think thats going to happen anytime soon. I'm looking into doing some volunteer work to keep busy, at least until some paid work comes up, might as well make myself useful. Its not something I would have done before so it should be an experience. I know making this post'll probably leave me vulnerable to criticism, but.... thats life, thats what all the people say

[lifetimelearner]

an absence of good

[WilliWibald]

RT Wolf, I thank you for this post. This video was highly interesting for me. I had very similar thoughts/revelations as Sean147.

I just recently read a book about human evil:

People of the lie - by Scott Peck

He has a definition of evil people, that I do want to share:

Begin Quote:

...the time is right, I believe, for psychiatry to recognize a distinct new type of personality disorder to encompass those I have named evil. In addition to the abrogation of responsibility that characterizes all personality disorders, this one would specifically be distinguished by:
(a) consistent destructive, scapegoating behavior, which may often be quite subtle.
(b) excessive, albeit usually covert, intolerance to criticism and other forms of narcissistic injury
(c) pronounced concern with a public image and self-image of respectability, contributing to a stability of life-style but also to pretentiousness and denial of hateful feelings or vengeful motives
(d) intellectual deviousness, with an increased likelihood of a mild schizophreniclike disturbance of thinking at times of stress

End Quote.

...I'm off to watch the video a second time.

[magi13]

Originally Posted by RT Wolf

I posted some videos by Jordan Peterson in another thread. He has a very interesting way of looking at the world. I found this one where he talks about the nature of evil and how it differs from tragedy which is a sort of foundation of Being. He does a very interesting interpretation of myths and Genesis in particular. You can check it out here:

TVO.ORG | Video | Big Ideas - Big Ideas ? Jordan Peterson

You can find more recordings of his lectures here:

Jordan B Peterson on blip.tv

He essentially tackles the question of meaning. Later on in the lectures, he also comes to talk about how to be good and how to really live a life as a conscious human being (though not using those terms).

I'm not sure whether this is the appropriate forum, perhaps the spirituality forum is more appropriate.

Evil = injustice to yourself and to the public. This is my own personal view.

[Jeperry]

Evil is a man without any sense.

Does not matter what are you think but if you think any things for yourself only and you ignore other person ........ this minor thing can born an evil in you.

Thanks
Jeperry

[smilingaway]

Evil exists. Current 21st century explains it away as the ego or something else but it exists.

[Michael Chui]

Originally Posted by smilingaway

Evil exists. Current 21st century explains it away as the ego or something else but it exists.

Gelspiures exist, too. But I have said as much as you have.

[Happybird]

Originally Posted by smilingaway

Evil exists.

That is true, but there are different ways in which a thing can exist. Some things exist in reality quite seperate from humans, while others exist only in human minds. Evil exists only in human minds, we create the concept of "evil". If the Earth were devoid of life, there would be no evil.

I would recommend Hannah Arendt - "Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil" as a more interesting read on what evil is. The fascinating thing about evil is that there are very few really "evil" persons (if there are any at all, truly "evil" persons are nearly always mentally seriously damaged). Evil is something truly banal, normal. People with good intentions commit serious evils all the time.

Dont make evil into something bigger than it is. Its just a label we as humans put on some forms of human behavior (or animal behavior for that matter, ever seen a real cat "play" with a mouse?).


p.s. thanks for the interesting video link :-)

[lemuria]

What is good?--Whatever augments the feeling of power, the will to power, power itself, in man.
What is evil?--Whatever springs from weakness.
What is happiness?--The feeling that power increases--that resistance is overcome.
Not contentment, but more power; not peace at any price, but war; not virtue, but efficiency (virtue in the Renaissance sense, virtu, virtue free of moral acid).
The weak and the botched shall perish: first principle of our charity. And one should help them to it.
What is more harmful than any vice?--Practical sympathy for the botched and the weak--

Friedich Nietzche

There, national crisis solved.

p.s I don't watch the video, I prefer to read.