The Explanation of Evil ***

1. The Explanation of Evil ***

   #1

   Why is there evil? Why is it evil to be....evil? Perhaps this may clear it up:
   
   1) What is called evil is simply the drive for advancement, for greatness. We seek, through discipline and pain, to spur the advancement of nothing less than sentient life.
   
   2) Cruelty - the application of pain - is the method by which one weeds out the weak and feeble-minded from the population.
   
   3) Weakness must be eliminated in all its forms: Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.
   
   4) The enemies of strength are those who trumpet the effeminate values of forgiveness, tolerance, and laxity of discipline.
   
   5) The body may be made stronger through combat.
   
   6) The mind may be made stronger through the elimination of conscience. One does this by inflicting pain on others.
   
   7) The spirit may be made stronger by enduring hardships, both self-imposed and externally-imposed.
   
   Perhaps this is the rationale behind evil...

2. The Explanation of Evil

   #2

   You disturb me strangely, Cap'n. Mostly because that makes so much sense (after a fashion)...

3. The Explanation of Evil

   #3

   Evil is the opposition of good. As with many, if not all things in the world, one could not exsist with out the other to balance it out. However in most instances good prevails over evil, perhaps the questoin you should be analyzing is: If good and evil must both exsist in order to maintian the essential balance, Then what qualities does Goodness possess that allow the scales to be tipped in its favor?

4. Because it Eeeeevil

   #4

   I have always placed the core of Evil as Selfishness, that the self is the only thing that is important and anything that required to meet the needs of the self is acceptable.
   
   The drive for advancement at any cost is a drive to fufill their own need for a position or place. While Good allows for competition as long as that competition is not to the level of destroying the others in the competition, Evil emphasises success at any cost.
   
   Cruelty is a biproduct of Evil. An uncaring for the suffering of others to achieve their goal is a perfectly Evil function. Delight in cruelty inflicted upon others or self, is acceptable because it is simply a fufillment of their own needs, therefore acceptable.
   
   Weakness is simply something that gets in the way of achieving ones own goals. Anything that stops you from achieving goals in yourself is a weakness and is simply not compatable with your needs. Some who are evil have issues with others who are weak because they could be strong and they don't understand why anyone would not want to be strong and able to achieve their own goals.
   
   Discipline may or may not be an aspect of Evil. It depends on the goals of the Evil being. Many Evils are into satisfying their own needs immediately, while others plan and plot to achieve more stratigic needs. A degree of discipline might be acceptable, depending on the Evil beings needs.
   
   Combat. Combat is a simple tool to achieve an end. If you like to show that you are superior (have a need that must be satisfied) you will engage in it freqeuntly, to prove you are superior. If you enjoy watching the weak squirm, combat is a great way to fufill that need. Combat is not Evil, it is just the easiest tool at their disposal.
   
   This selfishness is the reason why Evil is Negative. Unlike Good which projects outward, giving to all, Evil draws thing in... absorbing everything in a point of self.

5. Did I kill this thread?

   #5

   Nobody has a comment?

6. The Explanation of Evil

   #6

   You kinda shot down my idea.

7. The Explanation of Evil

   #7

   Then form a new theory it is the scientific process!

8. So I was right?

   #8

   I just listed another root cause for Evil. Need for advancement, to me, does not seem to explain all of Evil so neatly.

9. The Explanation of Evil

   #9

   I suppose you didn't shoot it down, per se, but your explanation was so much better!
   
   BETTER EXPLANATION MAKE PENGUIN MAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!

10. Gets mop and bucket just in case.

    #10

    Well at least it did not make your head explode like last time.

11. Adel...

    #11

    I have been meaning to address your response, but haven't. My bad.
    
    If Evil is just the opposition of Good, then you would need to define Good for us to determine what is Evil. Defining "Good" is not all that easy.
    
    And, well yes, one technically can not exist without the other. Good to balance Evil, otherwise you would not have a sense of perspective or frame of reference to judge from. Without Evil, you would not know what was good. And to quote .... ummm.. somebody.... "You can not appriciate the mountain tops, until you have been to the valley floor."
    
    If good and evil must both exist in order to maintian the essential balance, Then what qualities does Goodness possess that allow the scales to be tipped in its favor? This is a tough one.
    
    Um... Evil is dumb and those that practice it frequently can not contain their own drives long enough to truly capitalize on any gains they made. Okay. Evil is not dumb. But Good, with its cooperative and supportive elements allows groups to work together and eventually overcome the fractous forces of Evil.

12. The Explanation of Evil

    #12

    A few thoughts were here too:
    http://www.rpgcitadel.com/guild/index.php?topic=148.0

13. The Explanation of Evil

    #13

    Light cannot exist without shadow, and without shadow, why would light be so great?

14. The Explanation of Evil

    #14

    Hmmmmm. Defineing good it is a tough one. odd how something everyone even the most evil person must have experienced in there life is so difficult to define. I am afraid however I was not blessed with your articulate and well rather artistic way of expressing your feelings (you are good :wink: ) I feel any definition that I would provide would not do its word justice. however, since it was my initial question I think it only fair to attempt to express my opinion on the matter.
    
    
    Here it goes: Good- the force that allows humanity to carry on in there basic sruggle for life. People commiting selfless acts in hopes of helping a fellow being. Good is also the feeling a person experiences after they have completed that act. Good is all people's thoughts, dreams, Ideas unifying for one cause: to aid all societies. Good is free from hate, selfishness, and cruelty the main elements of evil.... It is love for all, hope for all, and ultimately life for all.

15. The Explanation of Evil

    #15

    My explanation, I realize, allows Evil for Evil's Sake. But in real life, it's all relative. The ork would not say "I'm gonn rip your arms off, cuz' I'm evil and I like destruction!" They would say "I will bring honor to my clan by slaying you in glorious battle!" Or, actually, something along the lines of "Grugaga karakh roraaarg!"

16. Evil for Evil's sake....

    #16

    Except for Demons or Avatars of Evil, very few things will be evil for Evil's sake. (Things will be good for Good's sake, but that is the nature of it.)
    
    There is a great writers quote that comes to mind...
    
    "Nobody is a villain in their own mind. Everyone is the protagonist of their own personal story."
    
    Evil actions are normally rationalized and fit quite nicely within that person's view of things.

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