assuming that you believe that some acts can be evil, which would be more evil:
some terrible direct act that involves just the one victim, or indirect actions that result in the murder of millions?
this is prompted by a recent news story i heard about a guy who covered his girlfriend (or ex-), with whom he had been fighting, with petrol and set her alight. he then wielded a knife to keep would-be rescuers at bay while she burned. she later dies. compare with Hitler who, as far as we know, didn't personally kill anyone.
maybe it's just meaningless to ask which is the more evil, i don't know.
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i have problem with the use of the word "evil". for me its far to simplistic to describe people as evil and doesnt do justice to the complexity of the human brain....................however, the jews didnt deserve what happened to them, but i bet his girlfriend had.
Originally posted by stellspalfieNOBODY could deserve that. NOBODY.
i have problem with the use of the word "evil". for me its far to simplistic to describe people as evil and doesnt do justice to the complexity of the human brain....................however, the jews didnt deserve what happened to them, but i bet his girlfriend had.
Originally posted by BlackampIt isn't the number of deaths that occur that is the measure. It is the control of those deaths!
assuming that you believe that some acts can be evil, which would be more evil:
some terrible direct act that involves just the one victim, or indirect actions that result in the murder of millions?
this is prompted by a recent news story i heard about a guy who covered his girlfriend (or ex-), with whom he had been fighting, with petrol and set her a ...[text shortened]... lly kill anyone.
maybe it's just meaningless to ask which is the more evil, i don't know.
It is the man within that is the perpretator and can be evil, or even suffering. It is not the 'acts' as you ponder.
Generally, a one to one act of shocking news is a lone wonderer who is lost and out of control momentarily.
You mention Hitler. That became an obsession of control, or lack of self control, over time.
The illnesses momentarily or overtime are both mental disorders. The acts themselves, be they precursored or ad hoc, are not the evil.
Originally posted by KewpiePainful deaths are perfectly acceptable to the majority, just because you don't see the soldier with the flame thrower use it or the torture undertaken every second of every day to both humans and animals does not mean it is not happening.
NOBODY could deserve that. NOBODY.
Every body has an excuse for why they undertake such acts.
Just be grateful it is not happening to you, and if you are unfortunate to witness it, then what you do is an expression of your character.
Edit: Just in case you are unfortunate to be experiencing this level of pain, all things must end, it is just a case of when.
Originally posted by BlackampI don't know that quantifying evil is as important as identifying it.
assuming that you believe that some acts can be evil, which would be more evil:
some terrible direct act that involves just the one victim, or indirect actions that result in the murder of millions?
this is prompted by a recent news story i heard about a guy who covered his girlfriend (or ex-), with whom he had been fighting, with petrol and set her a ...[text shortened]... lly kill anyone.
maybe it's just meaningless to ask which is the more evil, i don't know.
Originally posted by stellspalfieJust as a matter of interest, what do you imagine his girlfriend did to deserve that?
i have problem with the use of the word "evil". for me its far to simplistic to describe people as evil and doesnt do justice to the complexity of the human brain....................however, the jews didnt deserve what happened to them, but i bet his girlfriend had.
Concepts like good and evil are impossible to apply to reality in a truly objective way. They operate best in works of fiction like Harry Potter or the Bible. You can only make subjective assumptions based on whether you believe in free will or determinism or somewhere in between the two.
Originally posted by hopscotchIt's always easier to order someone to pull the trigger than to pull the trigger yourself.
Concepts like good and evil are impossible to apply to reality in a truly objective way. They operate best in works of fiction like Harry Potter or the Bible. You can only make subjective assumptions based on whether you believe in free will or determinism or somewhere in between the two.
