Evil: Difference between revisions

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	'''Evil''' is an ] word generally describing that which is morally bad, wrong, wicked (by some moral standard); it also describes conditions that are painful, ruinous, or disastrous. It is one half of the ] of ] and evil expressed, in some form or another, by all cultures.		'''Evil''' is an ] word generally describing that which is morally bad, wrong, wicked (by some moral standard); it also describes conditions that are painful, ruinous, or disastrous. It is one half of the ] of ] and evil expressed, in some form or another, by all cultures.

	The concept of ''natural evil'' refers to things not caused by acts of human will,		The concept of ''natural evil'' refers to things not caused by acts of human will, such as natural disasters, death, pain, and disease. ''Moral evil'' refers to human acts that are judged to be morally wicked.
	such as natural disasters, death, pain, and disease. ''Moral evil'' refers to human acts that are judged to be morally wicked.

	Definitions of good and evil, and what specific things are good or evil, fall into		Definitions of good and evil, and what specific things are good or evil, fall into two major classes: ''moral absolutism'', which holds that good and evil are fixed concepts of reality, established by ], nature, or some other authority. ''Moral relativism'' holds that standards of good and evil are only products of local culture, custom, or prejudice.
	two major classes: ''moral absolutism'', which holds that good and evil are fixed
	concepts of reality, established by ], nature, or some other authority.
	''Moral relativism'' holds that standards of good and evil are only products of local culture,
	custom, or prejudice.

	Regardless of the source of their definitions, most cultures largely agree upon many		Regardless of the source of their definitions, most cultures largely agree upon many things as evil: natural evils generally include accidental death, disease, and other misfortunes. Moral evils generally include violence toward others (though perhaps not to "outsiders" of the group), and deceitfulness. "Taking advantage of another person for one's own benefit" is the ] definition of evil.
	things as evil: natural evils generally include accidental death, disease, and
	other misfortunes. Moral evils generally include violence toward others (though perhaps
	not to "outsiders" of the group), and deceitfulness. "Taking advantage of another person for one's own benefit" is the ] definition of evil.

	The ]s, as well as others, are largely centered around the concepts of good and evil, and this has lead to much religious debate. Many cultures and mythologies personify evil, such as with ] in ]. Others describe evil ]s or ]s as the inciters of acts.		The ]s, as well as others, are largely centered around the concepts of good and evil, and this has lead to much religious debate. Many cultures and mythologies personify evil, such as with ] in ]. Others describe evil ]s or ]s as the inciters of acts.

	Many cultures recognize many levels of immoral behavior, from minor vices to major crimes.		Many cultures recognize many levels of immoral behavior, from minor vices to major crimes. These beliefs are often encoded into the ]s of a society, with methods of judgment and punishment for offenses.

	These beliefs are often encoded into the ]s of a society, with methods of
			(''From the ]'') As used by ]s, evil implies that some system, program, person, or institution is sufficiently maldesigned as to be not worth the bother of dealing with. Unlike the adjectives in the ]/]/] series, ''evil'' does not imply incompetence or bad design, but rather a set of goals or design criteria fatally incompatible with the speaker's. This usage is more an esthetic and engineering judgment than a moral one in the mainstream sense. "We thought about adding a ] interface but decided it was too evil to deal with." "] is neat, but it can be pretty evil if you're prone to typos." Often pronounced with the first syllable lengthened, as /eeee'vil/. Compare ].
	judgment and punishment for offenses.

	See also: ], ], ], ], ].		See also: ], ], ], ], ].

Revision as of 11:21, 11 October 2002

Evil is an ambiguous word generally describing that which is morally bad, wrong, wicked (by some moral standard); it also describes conditions that are painful, ruinous, or disastrous. It is one half of the duality of good and evil expressed, in some form or another, by all cultures.

The concept of natural evil refers to things not caused by acts of human will, such as natural disasters, death, pain, and disease. Moral evil refers to human acts that are judged to be morally wicked.

Definitions of good and evil, and what specific things are good or evil, fall into two major classes: moral absolutism, which holds that good and evil are fixed concepts of reality, established by God, nature, or some other authority. Moral relativism holds that standards of good and evil are only products of local culture, custom, or prejudice.

Regardless of the source of their definitions, most cultures largely agree upon many things as evil: natural evils generally include accidental death, disease, and other misfortunes. Moral evils generally include violence toward others (though perhaps not to "outsiders" of the group), and deceitfulness. "Taking advantage of another person for one's own benefit" is the Unification Church definition of evil.

The Abrahamic religions, as well as others, are largely centered around the concepts of good and evil, and this has lead to much religious debate. Many cultures and mythologies personify evil, such as with Satan in Christianity. Others describe evil spirits or demons as the inciters of acts.

Many cultures recognize many levels of immoral behavior, from minor vices to major crimes. These beliefs are often encoded into the laws of a society, with methods of judgment and punishment for offenses.

(From the Jargon File) As used by hackers, evil implies that some system, program, person, or institution is sufficiently maldesigned as to be not worth the bother of dealing with. Unlike the adjectives in the cretinous/losing/brain-damaged series, evil does not imply incompetence or bad design, but rather a set of goals or design criteria fatally incompatible with the speaker's. This usage is more an esthetic and engineering judgment than a moral one in the mainstream sense. "We thought about adding a Blue Glue interface but decided it was too evil to deal with." "TECO is neat, but it can be pretty evil if you're prone to typos." Often pronounced with the first syllable lengthened, as /eeee'vil/. Compare evil and rude.