An interesting article that tries to discuss a complex subject:
The End of Evil?
Neuroscientists suggest there is no such thing. Are they right?
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/the_spectator/2011/09/does_evil_exist_neuroscientists_say_no_.html
In my view ‘evil’ is a subjective thing and will always remain so. People who consider that the ends justify the means (our government is largely populated with such people) will engage in all sorts of very nasty things with a clean conscious, but I am willing to bet the people killed by the drone bombs (or rather the relatives of the same) don’t think the acts were ‘good’. I would be curious to hear someone define ‘good’ and ‘evil’ and come up with a clear and unambiguous algorithm to distinguish betwixt the twain. If we consider that there is a spectrum between good and evil (I don’t think it is possible to consider it any other way), then what does it mean to be 50% evil? Is someone who is 49% evil worthy of rehabilitation and someone who is 51% evil not? What about the greatest good for the greatest number? Doesn’t that imply that a minority is going to get royally screwed? Is society evil towards these getting screwed? If they decided to overthrow society because they don’t like being screwed are they good or evil for doing so? If you think ‘evil’ thoughts, but never act upon them are you evil or not?
