Justin

One of the fundamental problems wrestled with by philosophers, ethicists, people of faith, and people in general wrestle with is the question of: "What is evil?"

This question has not, to date, been successfully plumbed to the satisfaction of all, nor shall this treatise suffice for such an endeavor: this is, rather, an exploration of one Wiccan's views of evil. The "standard" disclaimers apply: this post is the author's opinion only, and does not speak for any other person or group that the author may be associated with.

There are many acts that have been called "evil" by some, but do not seem to satisfy the needs of many who seek a definition for evil. The author tends to believe that defining evil is not within the purview of a "majority vote," or any form of "authoritative statement" from a religious, political, or societal group: such "group definitions" fall under the definition of the word "morals," and shall not be considered here. With the possible confusion between the concepts, perhaps it would be better to first define what evil is not.

Illegality does not define evil. Rape is illegal, but so is loitering in many jurisdictions. While both are against the law, the author feels quite sure that most of the readers will agree that while the former is definitely evil, the latter is only questionably so at best.

Immorality does not necessarily define evil. Murder is immoral (if we define morality as "standards of right and wrong", as accepted by a specific culture or society) , but so is polyamory. While both go "against the grain" as to the "mainstream" (Western) group definition of morality, there are other definitions from other cultures where polyamory is acceptable.

Distastefulness does not necessarily define evil, else the author would be in the ridiculous position of defining the ethics of spinach and mustard greens.

There are certain attributes that seem to be common in most analyses of the concept of evil. While random chance has been accorded the word, it is the author's opinion that storm violence, traffic accidents, and natural disasters are random. Just as "Good" requires a decision to act, "Evil" needs volition to exist.

So what is evil? While the author's definitions may not satisfy many of the readers, it is a workable definition that may prove useful for others.

1. Evil takes — without giving: The man who steals to feed his children does something that is against the law, but few people could condemn him as truly "evil." The man who takes for his own greed — whether "real" assets, or intangibles such as innocence and honesty — could be classed by most as evil.
2. Evil hurts — without healing: A doctor must frequently "hurt" patients in order to heal them; a medieval inquisitor had no cares but for the pain he caused.
3. Evil destroys — without creating: Arson can destroy a forest, as can lumbering. While some disagree with the practice, lumber cutting does, at least, provide useful and necessary commodities — arson produces only bare, scorched earth.
4. Evil chooses: Hitler is a prime example that most Westerners would agree falls under the definition of an "evil" man. He did not passively allow the slaughter of Jews, Poles, Catholics, and others, but actively chose the role.

Even considering the fact that the examples are anecdotal, these definitions can break down. Hitler was, undoubtedly, one of the most evil men in the twentieth century C.E., but he rebuilt German economy, broken by the crushing debts and massive damage of World War I. When defining evil, it seems best to remember that even the most "evil" person may do good things, just as even the most "good" person may do evil things.

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