I think a better way to define this would be as malice.
There are some things that may cause cultural differences in the perception of evil, but regardless, unprovoked malice could fall into this category almost objectively. When a fox kills a rabbit, is this malicious? Not necessarily, especially as the fox must do so in order to survive. However, if the fox tortured the rabbit beforehand, this would be considered malicious. Sadism, for example, could be considered evil objectively were in not for the fact that there a small number of masochistic people who would like it.
Nonetheless, I do not think that anyone here can argue that torturing someone for sadistic pleasure (preseiming they aren't severely masochistic) is 'evil' regarless of socil context.
thefreedictionary.com Wrote:mal·ice (mls)
n.
1. A desire to harm others or to see others suffer; extreme ill will or spite.
2. Law The intent, without just cause or reason, to commit a wrongful act that will result in harm to another.
There are some things that may cause cultural differences in the perception of evil, but regardless, unprovoked malice could fall into this category almost objectively. When a fox kills a rabbit, is this malicious? Not necessarily, especially as the fox must do so in order to survive. However, if the fox tortured the rabbit beforehand, this would be considered malicious. Sadism, for example, could be considered evil objectively were in not for the fact that there a small number of masochistic people who would like it.
Nonetheless, I do not think that anyone here can argue that torturing someone for sadistic pleasure (preseiming they aren't severely masochistic) is 'evil' regarless of socil context.
John Adams Wrote:The Government of the United States of America is not, in any sense, founded on the Christian religion.
