Not too long ago I went with some people whom I love with all I am to see the remake of “It”.
Overall, I think we were all rather underwhelmed with the movie. However, I was reminded and we discussed how the more disturbing scenes weren’t with Pennywise or the other things that went bump and boo, but the horrors that humans can perpetrate upon other humans...especially those who have power, authority, responsibility for the health, safety and welfare of others.
Thus, today I am going to lay out my personal definition of evil, and discuss the topic as best I am able.
I believe that there is evil in this world. Whether there is any supernatural element to it or not is not going to be a part of this thought process. I will deign to stick only with the mundane and mortal realms. Further I believe that there are levels of evil, where certain historical figures would fit the bill readily, and yet there would possibly be some whom we would debate as to whether they were evil or made extremely horrible choices based upon several and various factors.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines evil as: profoundly immoral and wicked, with a further definition of harmful effects or doing harm.
I define an evil act as a conscious and intentional act, which has no biological impetus to drive the need to act, that causes harm to another without their consent to inflict that harm. Thus, an evil person is defined as someone who chooses to perform an evil act for personal gain or pleasure.
The three clarifiers within the definition are need, consent and an expansion upon what I mean when I say harm.
Need: an animal level of biologic drive. This means that while the predators do not get consent of the prey to hunt, kill and eat them, which could be considered an intentional act, the biologic need to eat and that there is no “human” level of sentient thought behind the decision negates it as being evil.
Consent: there are those who purposefully seek out an individual who will inflict certain forms of harm upon them and those who seek individuals who will give such permission.
Harm: in this definition is not only physical harm, but also mental, emotional, financial or any other form of inflicting pain, loss and suffering.
It is my opinion, that since almost every religion that has survived into modern times, and that those groups who have eschewed deity(ies) for a more humanistic approach towards moral rational, that there is a Universal Moral Law. This would be that we love others. Call it the Golden Rule, the Wiccan Rede, what have you, we as a species are pretty much wired to NOT inflict harm upon others without a justifiable reason (self defense/defense of those unable to defend themselves, etc), and even then this UML will cause psychological dissonance for most, even if the harming of another was justified.
While it is sad to note that there seems to be nothing in the UML that impels one to act to prevent others from causing harm or even to intervene afterwards (the so called Kitty Genovese effect), it does seem to hold that it does hold most people to the moral standard of do no (intentional) harm.
What, you ask, brought about my desire to expound on this subject? Well, it appears that more and more we are hearing of people who have the ability to make or break careers in a particular industry have abused that power to extort or force persons who were in someway beholden to that power to endure harassment, degradation and assaults of a sexual nature to be given consideration for jobs, roles, promotions, backing etc. These are evil acts performed by evil people. And this has brought to the fore how insidious and pervasive this ugliness is, not only in that industry but in pretty much any endeavor where someone with authority and power abuses that responsibility to obtain something they cannot get without coercion and intimidation.
I cannot remember where I heard this, but I recall a line in a book, movie or tv show where one of the characters said that we shall never truly live in an equal and free society until a person could walk naked with a million dollars in hand without fear of being assaulted, raped or robbed. Sadly, human civilization still hasn’t advanced far enough to accept those who look different, we’re born in another culture or have beliefs of conscience (their moral compass, religious affiliation) that are different. So, we are far from that ideal.
If I may, I wish to indulge in a confession of sorts. After a particular incident in a combat zone, I was unable to resolve a moral conflict within myself, and the dissonance created caused me to believe for quite some time that I was an evil person in my core and that I was living a lie about being the nice and decent person that others saw me as. It took many a year for me to realize that I wasn’t evil. That the act which had made me feels such was not done with malice, intent, for gain and definitely not for my pleasure. However, that learning process also made me think of other actions i had done, other choices I had made which weren’t good on my part and how they made affected others negatively.
Sadly, I must admit that I have made some choices in my life that may have harmed others, but the intent was not to do so. I can in all honesty say that I am sure none of these acts were of such a nature that criminal investigation or charges would ensue, but they are now and were then, regardless of my age nor my non-intent for harm, still things that I chose to do and that I regret. I cannot excuse those choices based upon any childhood traumas or harms perpetrated upon me (intentional or unintentional). While there may only be a couple few readers of mine who this may apply to; I apologize if any words or actions on my part, regardless of my intent, regardless of what impetus made me think it was ok or drove my decision making at that time, caused you harm, physical or emotional. While it shouldn’t be your duty to seek out a more formal apology, I truly do not wish to cause any more harm by bringing up subjects that may be long forgiven or forgotten on your part.
While saddened to know that I did make such poor choices in my past, it is the remorse and regret they caused within me that have helped to shape who I am now, and inform my decision making today. I am still imperfect but I can only try harder to acknowledge my failures and faults and to better myself thereafter.
While I don’t expect anyone to admit anything here should they comment, I do hope that this piece will help you reflect upon past choices and inform future ones so that evil will have less sway in this world and love will blossom.
Thanks for your time and consideration. Look forward to hearing from you.
