4 ms·
> "There is no such thing as evil." Surely that depends on your definition of the word, and by most if not all definitions it definitely is possible to be evil
by corin_ 14y ago
> "There is no such thing as evil."
Surely that depends on your definition of the word, and by most if not all definitions it definitely is possible to be evil.
Maybe nobody can be pure evil, as in nothing but evil, but if you let that rule out calling them evil then you can equally say there's no such thing as nice, mean, clever, stupid, etc. etc.
Evil (adj)
1
a : morally reprehensible : sinful, wicked
b : arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct
2
a archaic : inferior
b : causing discomfort or repulsion : offensive c : disagreeable
3
a : causing harm : pernicious
b : marked by misfortune : unlucky
(Merriam-Webster)
- japhyr 14y agoNice, mean, clever, stupid, etc. have no religious connotations. "Evil" and "sin" have heavily religious connotations, even if their etymologies are not entirely rooted in religious traditions. President Obama, who used the word "evil" this week, also said this was a time for "prayer and reflection". It's hard to be elected president without making these kinds of religious references. Denying the presence of evil, as the term is often used, has nothing to do with words such as stupid, clever, etc.
- corin_ 14y agoAs an atheist I don't base my use of words around what is believed in religions, I go by dictionaries.