Thanks for adding your thoughts here. As you say, there is no easy answer to suit everyone. I am a big believer in simplicity though. The answers to seemingly complex subjective questions, are usually found in the basics, and you nailed that with your “simplistic definition.”

I agree that, if the action–or thought–is intentionally directed towards hurting another person, then it constitutes evil. And I’ll extend that to include destructive intentions and actions towards all living things and our natural environment. In the most basic sense–and therefore in the most powerful sense–this implies that evil is defined by intentions, actions, and world views, that move contrary to the natural rhythm and mechanics of the universe.

Existence is creative, even in it’s destructive cycles. Forest fires are a good example. The forest burns; trees are replaced by brush for many years providing habitat for wildlife and more biodiversity. That simple creative concept, that is basic to existence, is basic to humanity as well because we are part of it all. But our brain power gives us the ability to intend and act outside of the creative loop, and so we take actions that destroy with no creative result. We instinctively know that this is not in keeping with the natural order, and we have coined the term “evil” to describe it.

This instinctive knowledge gives me hope and confidence in humanity’s future. But because we are progressing faster in “smarts,” as evidenced by our technological progress, we must make a concerted effort to ensure that our wisdom and our sense of place in the grand scheme, catches up with our intelligence. Balance is the solution. That is why it is so important that people find ways to stimulate and develop their creative appreciation and abilities. Creativity balances out the smarts, and moves us more into sync with the power of the universe.

Best,
John

For many mundane things, good and evil are indeed subjective – like what is considered evil in my religion or society may be commonplace in yours. And viceversa. But what about say extreme crimes, for instance? It can still be argued that the definition is still subjective, for in all likelihood, these actions may not be evil in the mind of the person committing them! So where do you draw the line?

A simplistic definition of evil may be – “does the action willfully hurt another person?” If so, it is evil. But then, should the definition restrict to just actions, not thoughts? Should it restrict to just actions towards other persons, not other living creatures? Like I said, no easy answers.

And I could see why you expressed little interest in bouncing intellectual arguments back and forth on the subject
Read more from Prashant | Awesome eBooks here… Panic in the Sky

I absolutely agree with your parting thoughts on this subject. This universe we occupy is huge in all respects. It will take our combined sense of wonder and awareness to fathom its depths. It is good to know that there are many folks like yourself out there who question something that is said, and apply their own litmus test to it. Followers are never discoverers.

I’ll look forward to further insights from you on other articles.

John

Thanks again for the opportunity to engage in this discussion with you. As a parting thought on our discussion, I’d like to point out one thing that we probably agree on.

Although we’ve presented divergent understandings of the universe — mine being more along the lines of a spiritual reality in which good and evil exist as fundamental aspects of the universe — yours being more along the lines of a spiritual reality that does not have a specific conception of evil outside of the realm of human existence — I think we both can agree with something along the following lines.

It is beneficial to each of us to attempt to align our lives along the natural tendencies of the broader universal existence.

Take care. I hope the best for you.

–Rob

There are countless interpretations of the evidence that we each experience in moving through our individual lives. The purpose of this article was to express some random early morning musings that I awoke with, even though they were, as I said in the article, limited, simplistic, and incomplete.

There is no satisfactory answer for everyone here. The questions, and how each one of us relates to them, are the most important considerations. That you are engaging your personal sense of wonder in this is the key to you. Mine was awakening that morning with these thoughts in my mind, and writing them down as a stimulus to others like yourself, to engage their own thoughts on the subject. It is not for you and I to debate and find the definitive answer for all. We would be here for an eternity to accomplish that.

I appreciate your thoughts. They will stimulate the curiosity of others. And you will will likely move on to probe deeper into the mystery, in a way that matches your own experience. Our diverging viewpoints are threads in the fabric of human consciousness. Eventually that fabric will become a tapestry.

Best,
John