I love my wikipedia. I learn a lot I didn’t know and I refine my thinking by finding fault too. (The problem is knowing what is worth learning and what needs unlearning!)
Consider the wikipedia definition of evil:
Evil is generally defined as any activity which takes advantage of another person for one’s own benefit….(In contrast, good is helping others, even sometimes self-sacrificially; see saint, sainthood.)
There’s something dodgy about the form of this definition and also something very familiar about its implications. For one thing, it fits with the the lable ‘anti-social’ which refers to behaviour which has ill effects, but good intentions – “well, in his culture that behaviour is normal”. Whatever happened to ill intent, though? (For another thing, what’s the counterpart to sainthood?)
According to this view all employers are evil because they necessarily pay their employees less than they earn (‘necessarily’ because otherwise there would be no profit).
The definition attempts to define evil by contrasting it with good. So far so, um, good. But then it weighs them up wrongly, and we are left with a picture of evil that is indistinguishable from graspingness and greed. According to this view evil might have ill effects on the other, but that is not the intention; its primary intention is to gain advantage.
This is a fine example of how thinking about evil can go askew. (And, I suspect, thinking about good too.)
By re-balancing the wording of the above definition another meaning of evil becomes clear.
If good is helping another (possibly involving self-sacrifice) then it follows that evil is harming another (possibly involving self-benefit).
This is all the difference in the world. Now we can see the true intention of evil – it is to do harm. Evil is only secondarily about want, appetite, greed, jealousy; it’s true nature is malevolence, envy, cruelty, viciousness. Indeed, for evil the getting of things is happily foregone if what is primary can be achieved: power over another.
What say you?
OxDrover, your comments about lack of empathy are spot-on. I have been reading a post here: http://existentialistcowboy.blogspot.com/2007/08/of-bush-and-evil-nature-of-crime.html
and the author mentions this:
{{… Dr. Gustav Gilbert whose job it was to interview the Nazi war criminals on trial at Nuremberg. Gilbert may have found in those interviews the psychological nature of evil, an utter lack of empathy.}}
I guess that empathy is the prerequisite for NOT manipulating others.
Well said, Laura.
The definition of “evil” is perfect.
After my first (and hopefully last) involvement with a Sociopath — I actually married him after 6 mos. and filed for annullment after two weeks (which was granted). I was very lucky! Two months later, I discovered he had herpes and had not told me about it . . . I am infected now. These people do not care at all about others. I have also had an HIV test — which was negative. What a relief that was!
There should be a law against anyone knowingly concealing the fact they have an STD and who cavalierely passes it onto others. It is “so like” Sociopaths — having arrogant and cavalier attitudes concerning when and how they “infect” or “inflict” anything on others.
A Sociopath evaluates friendships/loves by asking these questions: How can I benefit from this person? — How can this person make me feel better? — How can this person improve my lifestyle? — What can this person provide what I need? It’s all about their NEED and their personal SATISFACTION.
I wish there was a way to inform the general public. Had I known what to look for, I could have saved myself a lot of grief and I’m sure the subscribers on this site feel the same way. There is a common thread to look for — a test if you will: A Sociopath will NEVER ask if they can do anything for you . . . a Sociopath will NEVER ask how you are doing . . . a Sociopath will NEVER ask if there is anything you need . . . a Sociopath will NEVER be available for you . . . it is ALWAYS (without fail) all about them. Watch, listen and learn.
first let me say is so wonderful to have a place to share my experiences and heartbreak of dealing with a S. This S has finally managed to turn my son against me, and in the process has made a deal with the devil on my involvement with my beloved granddaughter, he won’t admit what has happened but he is a creature of habit and I know my own son. Just when I finally thought he had broken free of 10 years with this S and some years with a child involved, I had my spirit and heart broken….. It is fresh and still very hurtful especially as my son and I have always had an extremely close mother son relationship, I had noticed differences over the last few months, and knew something was off and not right, and when I asked him a point blank question he would skate around it, as is still happening, now I don’t even get a phone call anymore a text once in awhile and when I asked if on one of his three days with his daughter he could come my up my way for a visit, as I live 5 hours away from him, his response was exactly this NOPE!!!!! I don’t have the means financially to go back and forth to where he resides, and the fact that I just recently my husband passed away, he said one day that this would happen, he must be turning over in his grave, as he always worried about me with this situation and the anxiety it always caused me. On my last trip I was so disrespected and couldn’t do anything right I cut my stay 2 days short and came home. My son left a voice mail on my cell phone telling me he had seen a different side of me and that I acted selfishely and immature, at this point I don’t know if he’s wrong or right. I believe his behavior is because of this S but I have been involved in it for so long it was eating me up, and by the way I was I treated on my visit there, decided instead of saying anything hurtful or that I didn’t mean it was best to just leave, I said my goodbyes and left crying all the way home. I just can’t take anymore of the dissappointment, his half truths to me, and I later finding out the real truth, its all just become to much for me, am I wrong??? I had to take a step back and look at the big picture!!!! I have been there for him 200% with all he has gone through with the S at his request and asking for my help I never interfered or got in the middle unless he asked for my help, and then to see him faulter time and time again, and again him not being fully truthful with me, has he been in this situation so long that he too is or has become a S?????? And I fear for my granddaughter, she is such a beautiful warm loving child and has such love for her father, and the mom knows this and uses it continually over and over again, I fear that he is in so deep that he will never climb out, and I will lose him forever, his father has washed his hands of the situation, his brother is tired of the same thing said same things being done day after day, he tired of it, and when he’s with people the S is all he complains about, and then the next day is back to the same routine with her?????? He was in therapy for 2 years and has stopped going there too, and this therapist has been going the full nine yards for my son, telling him that he is dealing with a S border line P and things he must do to end it once and for all, but if this wonderful man can’t even get through to him????? My son has never apologized for the way I was treated and I had my new 5 mo oldaussie pup with me, and he was so neverous around my sons home, that he started to pee pee when my son said something to him, I didn’t understand it at the time, but then I realized that my pup was feeling the tension and stress in my sons home, he was just fine once we got back home and has never had an episode such as that again…… Am I wrong to be worried?????? If I am PLEASE feel free to tell me…Am I over reacting???? I’m starting to questions my decisions now???????? I’m a very loving, giving, helpful and intelligent person and human being, I’ve never felt so helpless in my life!!!!!! I’ve gone on long enough and need to bed myself down for the night and get ready for tomorrows duties!!!! Thank you so much for having this list to comment to and for the wonderful and informational data you provide, I come to this website often, and read that I am not alone…. Its hard to believe just how many of you that are out there that have met with and been injured and scarred by S and P its seems like we have an epidemic on our hands!!!!!!! or is it a Plague?????? Sincerely Songbird
Let me run this story by you.
A little boy and a little girl (approximately 5 years old) are running down the street … laughing and giggling, having fun. 40 adults are gathered in the backyard to the cottage helping set up the picnic area. It’s the first of a 3 day weekend starting the summer. The older children are throughout a variety of locations of the cottage and property. The teenagers promptly went across the street to the beach, soaking up the rays.
Meanwhile, the little boy and little girl start chasing butterflies. As they are running and jumping they both trip and fall to the hard paved street. Tears start flowing down their faces. Both get up from the street, crying, as they rub their knees they start hobbling as fast as they can towards the back yard where the adults are gathered. Everyone turns to look at the children. They see the pain on both children and the tears are streaming down their cheeks. The women start calling the children over to them. The children start walking in the direction of the women. At that moment, the men pull the boy over to them. Each telling the little boy, wipe your tears, big boys don’t cry, be a good soldier, let us look at that scrape … oh, it’s not that bad, let us put some iodine on it, you’ll be OK, stop your crying. Meanwhile, the women are falling all over the little girl telling her “oh honey, it will be ok” as the mom starts hugging and kissing her daughter close to her, wiping away her tears. Another woman starts stroking the little girl’s hair. All the other women start helping the little girl in one way or another. Dad walks over to mom and hands her the iodine. Mom gently kisses her daughter’s knees as she gently pours the iodine on the scrape. Another woman walks into the cottage and retrieves a box of bandaids.
Do you notice anything in this story?
If you do, then you will realize that society has been conditioning it’s self for years.
This is about spirituality. All of us as humans, experiencing the physical realm down on Earth.
What do you think that little boy thought while watching the little girl being doted on? He hurt and was bruised just like she was? Did he now despise her because she was allowed to cry, he hurt just a badly as she did? Did he look down at her and thought? I’m superior, I can handle the pain and she fell to pieces?
Imagine all the negative thoughts you can put to this scenario from a young boy’s perspective?
What do you think the little girl thought of the boy? Was he stronger than her because he stopped crying? Did he really not feel the pain? Was he more mature than she because he handled it better and she was being a little baby at her age?
How many more negative thoughts can you give this scenario from a little girl’s perspective?
This is the just an example of the unconscious conditioning g of how males in our society are raised versus females. Both children’s knees were scrapped and bleeding … but only the little girl was allowed the experience of the pain and trauma. The little boy was immediately ordered to stop the experience by all the men … to tune everything out of his thought process about this traumatic experience.
Both children were hurt and both were experiencing the pain. Both had scrapes to both knees. Why weren’t both children treated the same? There’s the man made illusion about males versus females. Not God made. Man made.
Tolle’s book “A New Earth” details how we ALL can get back to our spiritual existence versus being conditioned by man made ego illusions/delusions of what we are suppose to be.
Peace.
Hi ya’ll,
I’m posting this link here as this humanoid embodies the definition of the profoundest evil.
Seems the UN has finally apprehended one of the sickest, twistedest, most wicked and evil ‘creatures of doom’ this planet has ever had the misfortune to witness:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7533201.stm
And it’s amazing that he actually has many supporters who seem to be entirely oblivious to the countless murders of innocent women, children and men.
grr….I feel sick just reading his name…
Jane, I heard on National Public Radio today that he had been transferred to the Hague today for trial. Apparently his ethnic group in his country supports what he did, which is very sad that there is so much ethnic hatred in this world. Sometimes the things I hear and read make me think that “the spirit of Hitler is alive and well” in this world.
It seems when there is some “cause” that the psychopaths take advantage of it and emerge as the leaders of the chaos and hate. I pray for our world.
Hey Wini, haven’t heard from you in a bit. It’s true that all societies condition their children to fit into their unique social structure. But it’s a world-wide phenomenon, the only problem seems to be when society changes too quickly, and people become confused about their roles. I have five brothers and three sons, and about 50 male cousins, and most of them are pretty well adjusted, not tormented souls or anything.. but all of them are proud to be male, they don’t cry much, etc. It doesn’t seem to bother them much.
Our family is pretty supportive though. If one of the boys is more sensitive, nobody picks on him about it. And if one of the girls is a little bit macho.. nobody gives her any crap either .. lol
heres a look at evil. my ex s path was once in a new relationship with a younger girl, he had been with her for six months. contacted me after a long time of me not hearing much, then he started popping up unexpected at my work he then called me oneday let the ph ring once and hung up when i asked him about this he said, he accidently dialled my number yeh right he then said he was going to call me in a few weeks to see how i was ….anyway a few weeks came round and yes he did call and said he wanted to see me. when i asked about his new girlf riend he said yes they were still going out and she was away for the weekend and it would be a good chance for him to catch up with people. anyway he came over and it all seemd innocent then he started to be affectionate toward me hugging ect then he started touching me in a sexual way he wanted to have sex but he kept saying i dont want to hurt my girlf riend, but i want to do this, he said i dont want to hurt her or use you. but well he couldnt stop himself and iwas still in love so we had sex. after it he said he felt guilty and that his griflriend was a nice person he shouldnt have done this . but he walked away and seemed to get over his guilt pretty quick. he also said to me during this visit that he wasnt having much sex with the new girl, when i said talk to her about it he said i dont want to get into an arguement . how strange to not want to talk about this but to just be unfaith ful anyway even though he knew it was wrong. it just seemed like he pushed what he knew was wrong aside to get what he really wanted, the sex. he actually said to me its just sex anyway. my goodness i was a fool back then not now though totally clued up on the s paths now but it just made me think how he knew he was doing a bad thing but did it anyway. he left saying he wanted me to call him, and that the new girl didnt own him. go firgure how the hell do they think this way. . thanks feel free to coment. or has anyone had a similar exp with an ex s path.
Dear Jules,
Yea, I think that is why they want to keep in contact with “ex GFs” or keep a harem. Of course it gives them supply and that is what it is all about. It is JUST ABOUT THEM and as far as them “feeling” guilty—-NAHHHHH, they may say they do, but they don’t FEEL anything about “guilty”—they’ve just learned to say the “appropriate” words.’
If you look at how they ACT and IGNORE THE WORDS, you get the REAL PICTURE.