Defining Evil

nameless wrote:

"We become that which we define!"

Interesting quote?

Care to provide the source?

Care to provide proof of this statement?

Is this the best attempt at an insult?

You are very childish and petty.

We are trying to have a grown-up conversation here and you bring in name calling.

I thought I left high-school but I guess you never did.

And good job on "Thanking" a childish comment like this. Is this "argument for the sake of truth"? Or is it "Argument for the sake of causing trouble"?

Both of you, please grow-up.

In the beginning perhaps there was a survival mechanism in man he "instinctively" had to appeal to in order to survive. That is not evil. That is innate. Evil is when survival is no longer an issue,

Binyamin

Now I get it. You mix up two different things :
1. instinct (or as you put it, our animalistic behaviour "heritage")
and
2. apparently spontaneous thought which is acted upon without further conscious consideration.

Do you remember Mr. Slate and his non-arachnologist mother ? Here is what happens, in more detail, when a Big Black Hairy Spider drops on Mr. Slate's head.

By interpreting external stimuli (light and sound waves, tactile sensations), a thought of "I have a Big Black Hairy Spider on my head" forms in the brain of Mr. Slate. Instantly, without further conscious consideration, that is, without second thought, without any rationalizing, Mr. Slate's brain releases stress hormones, effectively triggering the fight or flight (animalistic) instinct which forces him to kill Big Black Hairy Spider or run away from it. It is debatable if there is conscious choice between the two (run or kill), depending on the circumstances, and maybe it's here you might find your "evil". If Mr. Slate kills Big Black Hairy Spider and then appears in a Spider's Court of Justice, he will most definitely be found not guilty by pleading temporary insanity.

But as you see, triggering the fight or flight instinct has no innate cause, Mr. Slate's subconscious has been taught to be afraid of spiders by his non-arachnologist mother as opposed to being born with this apparently instinctive fear. You can still place a blame on Mr. Slate for not trying to overcome this fear, that is, for not trying to objectively examine the world around him and rationally conclude that spiders are not even nearly as dangerous as he has been led to believe they are. Ignorance (and lack of empathic capacity) leads to "evil".

Fight or Flight is definately one of the many instincts.
I like using the terms "Anger" and "Fear". Both release adrenaline.

Any type of confrontation will trigger these two reactions "instinctually". Think about the last time you got angry? Was it not some type of confrontation?

This is what is taught when giving speaches. Fear ruins speaches, so you are taught to use Anger in a way that emits confidence.

I'm getting kinda tired of defending humans from your animalistic and instinctual controlled by fear and ruled by anger model you're trying to frame them in, so from now on think of Buddhist monks and how your theories relate to them - before typing any replies.

I agree with you 100%. But the survival instincts are still present. They still influence us at all times. This thread was created in order to discuss this instinctual influence on Man.

Instincts lead to survival, and survival is not evil, therefore instincts are not intrinsically evil.
But unballanced instincts lead to evil.

Again, in no way is this thread trying to justify evil! This thread is trying to identify its source. Instincts are passed on through evolution.

Instincts lead to survival, therefore one without instinct will likely not survive and likely not pass on this lack of instinct.
Instinct is passed on through the survivors.

All I am saying is that this "Instinct" is still present in mankind. Please try and see it, and understand that it is there.
What I am not doing is trying to provide an excuse for people to commit evil. If your "instinct" influences you to do an "Evil" act, then one should overcome this influence and not preform the act.

Bin, you totally ignored the rest of my post. :brickwall:

William

Get used to it
He does it a lot.

Bin, please, if you don't mind, refrain from equating man's behavior with that of the beast. Please. We are more than that. Please allow me this courtesy. If it is essential in the minds of some to use these insane analogies, it is so very wrong for it is the way of beast. Have you ever heard that phrase before?

That which spends much time on the altar of mind, tended with 'thought', is that which we worship.
I have known (so called) Xtians that could only think about 'demons' and things 'demonic'. That was obviously the subject of their day to day worship.
How much 'thought' does one devote to 'evil'? How many hours of the day?
That is a rhetorical question, response (and denial) is unnecessary.

"Know your enemy"
(The art of War)

the only way to overcome evil in the world is to understand it.

A doctor must first understand the disease before he can find the cure.

"The 'Enlightened' have no enemies!" - Buddha


True! The only way to overcome evil 'in the world', is by understanding that it exists solely in 'the world of dualities' in the mind! An 'internal' enlightenment; all Perspectival dualities fade and cohere.


I don't think that doctors consider 'disease' to be 'evil'.
That is the realm of religion.
And, with all the medical understanding, disease is still extant and will never be all 'cured' (fortunately for doctors).
There is a 'give and take', 'back and forth' dance/equilibrium to existence.
Like the 'war on evil' is such a ridiculous farce. One cannot eliminate 'evil' without eliminating, simultaneously, 'good'.

If you allowed me to get that far I would demonstrate how Evil can be used for Good.

If you would please, offer an example of what you are saying. Evil as far as I will define it is to have a malicious intent to do harm. Perhaps you have another definition.

William

In reguards to "The enlightened have no enemies" I agree, but you cannot be enlightened without deep knowledge.

“The Tzadik (Righteous) knows his animal soul”
(Mishlei [Proverbs] 12:10)

If you allowed me to get that far I would demonstrate how Evil can be used for Good.

The purpose of this thread is defining instinct and how it leads to evil. That in essence defines evil.

...but I think everyone would agree with evil being...

No. I will not accept on authority any quotes from any book. Make your thoughtful case for whatever, and I will thoughtfully respond. Unless we are discussing a particular book, then of course, quotes would be reasonable, but whatever wisdom book is on your shelf, you'll have to paraphrase if necessary and be ready to explain. No bible quotes, no mishna quotes, no Martin Buber quotes, no scriptural authority is accepted. So, please feel free to refrain...

"The 'Enlightened' have no enemies!" - Buddha

"For every Perspective, there is an equal and opposite Perspective!" -Book of Fudd (1:2)