I don't understand evil...

[Jaradu]

I'm just confused as to how people can do evil things. From bullying to murdering, terrorism to insults-on-purpose.

What drives people to do this? How can they sit by and let themselves do evil things to people? It must be psychological, but I don't understand.

I ask this because my best friend is ever so slightly overweight and gets bullied pretty much non-stop. They just don't seem to care that people's feelings are being hurt. And they are all so sadistic - enjoying watching people suffer, especially if they are the ones inflicting the damage.

Come to think o it, some of my friends are like this. They don't bully, but they find plenty of amusement wrestling, kicking, punching and pushing each other anywhere and everywhere. Being a pacifist, I can't stand to see all this evil around. What ever happened to justice and righteousness?

I am so confused... So, if you know of some psychological issues which can cause people to bully and stuff, please share them with me because I really want to understand how people can do it.

[Ronn_Bman]

When it comes to bullying, it is usually because the person is insecure or sadistic or both. They belittle others, to make themselves feel bigger/better/badder. A group mentality usually makes this worse.

When it comes to sawing someone's head off, based on where he was born, in order to achieve some political objective, I'm not sure what a sicko/psycho has to say to himself to get through it, or what pleasure it brings them, but it is definitely a power trip. A group mentality usually makes this worse.

[ 06-18-2004, 03:16 PM: Message edited by: Ronn_Bman ]

[shamrock_uk]

Well, as to the bullying question, I have been bullied at some stage in my life and also have bullied. The former was a distinctly unpleasant experience, and the latter I did not particularly realise I was bullying this other kid because it was just the 'done' thing and nobody realised how upset he was getting.

As for the more wider question of evil, I personally believe that morals are completely relative. What's evil to you might be normal in a different culture. As an example, for somebody who believes in the sanctity of life, the death penalty is a terribly evil act. For others, its a necessary punishment and weapon against crime.

Who are we to say that our version of right or wrong is anymore intrinsic than the next version?

[ 06-18-2004, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: shamrock_uk ]

[Jaradu]

Originally posted by shamrock_uk: Who are we to say that our version of right or wrong is anymore intrinsic than the next version?

Yes, I agree that this is the case in some cases. But when it comes to stuff like stabbing people, I find it hard to find a culture that thinks that is the right thing to do.

[dplax]

Terrorism occurs because of the different beliefs people have. Muslims commit terrorist acts because their religion can be interpreted in a way which says that violence is the right solution. Other terrorist attacks may occur because the ones who commit them think they are revenging something. (tchetchen terrorists spring to mind here)

[Timber Loftis]

First, I agree with BMan's post.

Yes, I agree that this is the case in some cases. But when it comes to stuff like stabbing people, I find it hard to find a culture that thinks that is the right thing to do.

What you need to do, at some point, is pick up "Beyond Good and Evil" and read it, or a summary of it. You can also find out a lot by searching ("Master mentality" and "slave mentality") or ("Appollonian" and "Dionysian") or ("Sparta" and "Athens") online.

What you will find that the "good" is defined differently in different cultures. In Athens, art and culture and singing and opulence were often seen as "the good life" whereas in Sparta they were evil wastes of the spoiled mind. Erm... that's a lot of generalization I realize for 2 complex societies, but I hope you get the point.

"Master mentality" cultures extol the virtues of strength and power. "Slave mentality" cultures extol the virtues of compassion and caring. Both types of cultures still exist on the planet -- oftentimes within the same country.

Perhaps the guy sawing a head off has the same attitude a lethal injection executioner does, or that a B-2 bomber pilot does. Does he *like* doing it, or does he see it as *necessary* to send the message terrorism tries to send (which is, basically, "we may not be as powerful as your country, but we can cause you no end of grief if you don't leave us alone.") Maybe when he's done sawing off the head he's so sad he goes home and cries to Allah, or maybe he's so angry he goes home and beats one of his wives. If we look back to BMan's point about insecurity, we can see that the two reactions are opposite outlets of the same emotions.

*Ack* Now I'm a terrorist supporter. *runs*

[Ronn_Bman]

Down with Timber! [img]graemlins/moon.gif[/img]

[Jaradu]

Ah, very good points, Timber. So you're saying that their beliefs may be slightly different, and also their methods may be slightly different. When these are combined they make something very different. While they may have the same intentions, they do not execute them in the same way that our culture does. I think I'm starting to understand now...

[Jaradu]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: What you need to do, at some point, is pick up "Beyond Good and Evil" and read it, or a summary of it.

Beyond Good and Evil? I thought that was a game... or is it a book as well with coincedentally the same name? If it's a book, I'll definetely look into it.

[Timber Loftis]

It is a game for Xbox -- but it is also a book by Nietsczhe.