Why are human beings still evil?

[Vulklin]

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[Godzilla2000]

I like to label the self destruction of the species by other human beings as human ignorance not human nature.

 

[Yurka]

As long as there are two or more people on earth, there will be some type of "evil" transpiring.

 

[Schlosser85]

When will they evolve? Never? Thousands of years from now? Hundreds of years? Million of Years?

I believe humans will always have human nature. There will always be good people and bad people.

Why is that, even though we live in a world full of evil people, that those same people sometimes take issue with an evil act, despite the fact that they are evil themselves? Is it because they like evil, but only in small portions?

I believe no one is the villain of their own story. No one really thinks of themself as "the bad guy". And many people are self-righteous hypocrites.

Why do humans still fight wars constantly around the planet and try and justify these wars simply to make themselves feel better

Some wars are fought for profit. Others out of racial hatred. And some are necessary.

What is the point, when deep down they know they actually like wars and enjoy killing and murder

Wars are not always fought simply because people enjoy killing and murder. I would say the majority of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan aren't there because they enjoy killing (some are).

Do you yourself deny that you are evil? Or do you accept it and wear your evil badge with pride?

I believe war is evil, but that doesn't stop it from sometimes being a necessary evil. I believe war should always be an absolute last resort, but there are times, such as against Hitler and the Nazis, when there really was no alternative. They responded only to military force.

If we do live in a world full of evil people, and one person wanted to kill all the evil people, would that itself be evil or good?

I believe it would be evil. Violence begets violence, and it is not any one person's place to be judge, jury, and executioner of everyone they deem deserving of death. Therein lies a very slippery slope. Say you start out only killing rapists and pedophiles. A lot of people would root for you. But what if you develop a god complex (or more of one than you already have) and keep taking it to the next step? Where does it end? Do you start killing thieves? Jaywalkers?

Do we live in a global capitalist type society because we are evil, or are we evil because we live in a global capitalist society?

This assumes capitalism is evil, and I do not believe this. I believe capitalism, for all its flaws, is the most realistic and practically functional economic system. Communism does not work in reality.

If an evil person murders another evil person is that evil?

I don't know about the act itself, but an evil person murdering another evil person doesn't stop that person from being evil. Stalin was not any less evil because he defeated Hitler.

Why do soldiers kill strangers who they have never met? Is it because they are evil? Or because they believe they are good?

The vast majority of soldiers are doing their duty and serving their country. They're not signing up because they want to kill people, they're signing up to defend their country and their people.

Is war evil or good?

Evil, but as I said, under certain circumstances a necessary evil. In my opinion letting the Nazis go on until every last Jewish man, woman, and child was wiped off the face of the Earth and the population of the Soviet Union was eradicated to make room for German colonies and doing nothing about it would be more evil than going to war with the Reich.

Yes I know we went to war because of Pearl Harbor, not the Holocaust, but the end result still stands.

 

[Blitzkrieg Bop]

Because they choose to be.

 

[Schlosser85]

I also believe the OP greatly oversimplifies war and capitalism, and tosses the word "eeeeevilll" around too freely.

 

[ThDWgeek]

Well, "evil" is too much of a fluid concept to use in that question. "Evil" isn't really as universal as it seems. What defines an evil act can vary from culture to culture, and person to person, so applying that question to every person everywhere doesn't really work. Perhaps "why are humans still flawed?" would be a better question?

 

[Manic]

I think evil is an id thing. As long as people have basic desires, they will always feel compelled to do things that others consider "evil." I don't think that's something that humanity can evolve out of.

 

[Vulklin]

I also believe the OP greatly oversimplifies war and capitalism, and tosses the word "eeeeevilll" around too freely.

No I emphasise the word evil repeatedly because that is the main point of my thread

Personally, in my opinion, in my mind, the world is evil. Specifically humans are evil.
You stated you believe capitalism is not evil, well I disagree. Also in my opinion, in my mind, if you believe capitalism not to be an evil system, it is because you are evil. This is not meant as insult, just my opinion and it goes for ALL people who believe in the capitalist system, not just yourself.

I believe the very concept of war is evil, regardless of the cause.
Think of it this way. You said before something along the lines of violence begets violence and that even if you kill an evil person, it is still evil and that kind of thinking. Well I agree.
Killing is always evil, even if it appears justified.
Remember Gandhi and Jesus as well for that matter, their philosophy was turn the other cheek, never respond to violence with violence.

I believe that philosophy is what we would call "good".

If a man kills another man, then the victim's brother kills the murderer as revenge, then that victim's brother kills his murderer through revenge etc, then this is what we would call evil. All wars follow this logic. Wars are evil.

By the way I am not speaking from a religious standpoint at all, I am a total atheist and my god is science. I only agree with the philosophy and logic of the gandhi and jesus types.

 

[Immortalfire]

There have always been evil people. And there always will be evil people.

Nothing can change that until Jesus comes back.

 

[BrollySupersj]

Money.

 

[Victarion]

Before that chain-killing, OP, you have to assume that none of those in your chain covered their tracks.

 

[Duke]

There have always been evil people. And there always will be evil people.

Nothing can change that until Jesus comes back.

 

[Schlosser85]

in my mind, if you believe capitalism not to be an evil system, it is because you are evil. This is not meant as insult, just my opinion and it goes for ALL people who believe in the capitalist system, not just yourself.

I think you're making things more black-and-white and absolute than they are.

 

[E-Man]

Who holds the authority to declare what is evil? Even then you have to consider that human beings will always have the capacity to be evil, and under the right circumstances anyone would commit acts considered evil by their peers. We do have a consensus on certain acts that are considered evil such as murder and rape, but that still doesn't account for different cultural upbringing and personal circumstances.

 

[Vulklin]

Who holds the authority to declare what is evil? Even then you have to consider that human beings will always have the capacity to be evil, and under the right circumstances anyone would commit acts considered evil by their peers. We do have a consensus on certain acts that are considered evil such as murder and rape, but that still doesn't account for different cultural upbringing and personal circumstances.

But there is not a consensus on murder, because some believe a soldier killing another soldier or civilian is war, but others believe it to be just the same as murder, also some countries have a death penalty for criminals, is that murder of "justice"?

Neither actually is there a consensus on rape, in some countries it is not possible for a husband to "rape" his wife. Also with age of consent being different throughout the world, what would constitute statutory rape in one country would be perfectly acceptable in another country

 

[Manic]

We do have a consensus on certain acts that are considered evil such as murder and rape

Even rape falls in sort of a grey area depending on your culture and where in history we're talking about.

 

[E-Man]

But there is not a consensus on murder, because some believe a soldier killing another soldier or civilian is war, but others believe it to be just the same as murder, also some countries have a death penalty for criminals, is that murder of "justice"?

Neither actually is there a consensus on rape, in some countries it is not possible for a husband to "rape" his wife. Also with age of consent being different throughout the world, what would constitute statutory rape in one country would be perfectly acceptable in another country

To me murder is absolutely wrong no matter who does it. That's why I'm a pacifist. I'll never kill another man unless I absolutely have to, especially not in the name of the state. But that's just me. Many people would agree that in times of war it's okay to kill. With no absolute moral authority it's really majority rules. At least most countries have laws against killing so that it limits people outright committing murder on a mass scale.

 

[enterthemadness]

I dunno if I have evil in me or if I am just epic pissed at times. Sometimes I feel like going into Angry God Mode. Then again some people probably feel that way.

 

[Thundercrack85]

I'd say humans are more dumb than evil. Because in their hearts at least, the vast majority of humans want to do good. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

We're not a race of villains. We're a race of idiots.

 

[SuperFerret]

I for one am glad we didn't need to wait long for a new bum.

Also, this guy has a far too simplistic view on things that overlooks the nature of life.

 

[Vulklin]

I for one am glad we didn't need to wait long for a new bum.

Also, this guy has a far too simplistic view on things that overlooks the nature of life.

Internet trolls belong in the evil category

 

[SuperFerret]

I've decided to elaborate on some things here.

Let's see...

War is a result of petty squabbles on a grander scale than "I don't like you, so *punch!*". War is also a good thing, as it encourages technological innovation and provides a much needed check on the population of a species that has no predators and regularly defeats disease.

Killing is not bad nor good. It just is. Living things die, that's how things go. It's the reasons behind the killings that may or may not have a morality.

Capitalism is an interesting thing, because it creates this little micro-ecosystem within the human species, and further micro-ecosystems within individual societies.

The natural ecosystem as a whole is capitalistic. You do some sort of work, you get some sort of reward, you survive and pass on your genes. Simple. At the same time, you're competing with others whose goals run opposite yours, as well as others whose goals run parallel. Compare a zebra's goal of being faster and surviving to the goal of the lioness chasing him and the goal of the antelope running alongside. One of them is going to fail, while the others gain rewards, and this is all based on the effort they're able to put in, as well as a bit of luck.

Now, within most species (at least the "higher" ones), a socialistic society is seen. All members of the herd, pack, pride, flock, etc. work towards mutual benefit and survival. This is even seen in primitive human tribes, but in the modern world, this is not only impossible, it's unwise. There are billions of humans out there, and (as stated above) we're in need of checks on us. Capitalism, with its "evil", is one of them.

Basically, to answer your question, humanity will be "evil" in your narrow, absolutist opinion as long as we need to prey upon ourselves to survive as a species.

Internet trolls belong in the evil category

You totally do.

 

[Darthphere]

But seriously....


WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE?

 

[Anubis]

Haha, this should be fun.