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Question: Does Evil exist in it's own right, or is it a social construct!?
Different societies have different rules of behaviour, so does true Evil exist, or are we all potentially capable of it!?Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
This is a very difficult question for a professed atheist to answer!. Because I have sensed pure evil in people, places, situations!. Most often it's a fleeting moment, nothing more!.!.!. but I do tend to believe that something utterly dark, empty, or negative does pop up occasionally to remind us of the unknown possibilities of this universe!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Both good and evil are excuses, so that makes them social constructs!. The terms are attached to an action by a third party to explain, justify or condemn an action by another person!. They are relative to the observer and the person committing the act!. We are all capable of acting in anyway imaginable if the right influences are applied at the right time in the right manner, but when these actions are recorded or viewed by another they have to justify it to themselves!. Making the action fit into acceptable categories of which Good and Evil are but two from many!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is a social construct!. It is just the extreme of what we think of as bad!. What is considered bad / evil in one society is the norm in others!.

Example:

Bigamy is illegal in some societies, considered evil!. In other societies, it is not only seen as good but highly desirable!.

Drugs are again illegal in some societies, considered evil!. In other societies, it is not only seen as good but highly desirable!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No for me evil is a social construct and depends upon fear!.

I really hate it when peopel use that word so lightly - dismissing ordinary and consigning it to something inhuman!. I think what is being done is to draw a line between that which is acceptable and that which is not!.

If we look at human beings and the range that is 'normal' we find a lot of scary behaviours that no one knows how to control yet - evil is a lazy and fearful designation that we seem to put out in lieu of responsibility for not being able to deal with some of humanity!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

evil does not exist in its own right!. it is a social construct and is malleable to culture and circumstance!.

name almost any evil act, and you can come up with a circumstance where it is allowable or even beneficial (to an individual or society as a whole)

Evil is a buzzword which we use about acts we do not like!. It is a useful language tool, but that is all it is!. there is no 'satan', 'lucifer', 'prime evil' or 'basement cat' controlling itWww@QuestionHome@Com

would a rose smell as sweet if we called it by a different name… evil acts cause the same amount of pain and suffering what ever we call them… guess you’re really looking for a definition of evil… to our understanding an evil act is any act which causes another harm… every person and culture sets different limits on the amount of acceptable harm we can cause… loud music during the day acceptable… loud music at night unacceptable… every one commits evil acts all the time… can’t move with out stepping on someone’s toes… and the way society is set up, it is hard to pin down just who is accountable for most of the outrageous evils… is one person at the rock concert responsible for the noise… is one citizen responsible for the war… Www@QuestionHome@Com

They say money is the root of all evil!. If everyone had all the money they needed to survive and also just enjoy life evil would probably be less likely to exist!. though im sure evil would be socially motivated by those who get bored with being nice and getting along!. It would seem some people are just evil for no reason!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

evil exists and anyone at anytime can be lured in by it!. those who believe they are safe from doing anything evil will slip because they are not conscious about what they are doing!.

Hitler believed he was incapable of doing evil!.

I think everyone knows deep down what is good and what is evil!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

true evil does exist!. there are the small evils with a small e!. than there are the large evils with a large e!. yes evil can be a social construct but some times evil can take on a life of it's own!. then it is like a large tidal wave and the best you can do is get out of it's way!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

If the universe has always had good and evil, and without one or the other, the universe would be out of balance, what truly constitutes good or evil!? If good did not exist at all, would evil, by default become good!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Since the time of Adam and Eve, evil has existed soley in its own right!. People are influenced by this evil, so I suppose you could argue that everyone is capable of it!. But not everyone gives in to that temptation!.!.!.you see!?Www@QuestionHome@Com

Meaningless question!. Man is a social animal!. Where there's man, there's society, there's evil!.
But if evil were any more prevalent, society wouldn't be able to function!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It is, like every other concept, a human invention!. This is simply a fact!. If you think about it, you will see this is the case!.

It is a label humans invented!. We love our labels!Www@QuestionHome@Com

Damn good Q!.!.!. I feel we are all potentially capable of it!?
Situations and conditions may suppress it!?!?
((INTERESTING!.!.!. I LIKE IT!))Www@QuestionHome@Com

I think over the milennia Mankind has made up the Devil and demons to explain the Humans that do Evil things in this world that would be abhorrent to normal people!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

evil exists bcoz of thesame reason why good things exists

everything has its opposite

good-bad
left-right
etc!.!.!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

No I think you are wrong!. The rules are the same the world over and we all have a choice then live with the consequences!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

I dont think were are all potentially capable of it no!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

It's called Susan Eakins!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

social construct!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

It exists; but not everyone can be lured in by it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

im Thoroughbred evil, deal with it!.Www@QuestionHome@Com