What is Evil?
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Peace to all,
I tried to do some searching but didnt find much about the definition of what evil is. So can we discuss and try to define exactly what we think the nature of evil is. Is something inherently evil or only in relation to how it is used or its consequences. The Quran says a thing you think is bad may actually be good and vice versa, so how do I know for sure what I do is good or evil. Do the ends justify the means?
Kurt
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Peace to all,
I tried to do some searching but didnt find much about the definition of what evil is. So can we discuss and try to define exactly what we think the nature of evil is. Is something inherently evil or only in relation to how it is used or its consequences. The Quran says a thing you think is bad may actually be good and vice versa, so how do I know for sure what I do is good or evil. Do the ends justify the means?
Kurt
salam,
the aya you are talking about, is not about evil , do not hate for it might be good and do not love for it might be bad for you, in that sense, this aya is talking about situations that at the time might seem bad and wrong, but is actually better for you in the end , example if you want a job real bad but you did not get it, do not hate for god might have set something better for you... but you wouldnt know this at the time, and when you do get the better job you will appreciate that and be glad you didnt take the first one,
and do not love for it might be bad for you, i heard of one lady who sued a lottery company for going bankrupt, she had won the jackpot and ended up spending not only all of it but put herself in debt from all that spending, so do not love for it might be bad for you.....
this is the meaning behind that aya,
as for evilness anything and i mean anything that is negative is always evil might be small like saying something to someone and hurting them in the process or might be much more severe as in killing or stealing or decieving anything negative is always evil, we must always think postive, and any negative feeling you might have always find ways to turn them positive, patience is always a key -
Peace to all,
I tried to do some searching but didnt find much about the definition of what evil is. So can we discuss and try to define exactly what we think the nature of evil is. Is something inherently evil or only in relation to how it is used or its consequences.
KurtAn evil is an act as nothing is inherently evil. A person is considered evil if his heart is prone to evil - an acquired character.
An evil is a deliberate wrong act.
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Anything self destroying is evil
All material things are self destructive and hence are evil; greediness over existing material is evil; jealous about someone's possession is evil; urgency and hastiness towards a physical destination is evil; not forgiving one for his negligence or committing a mistake is evil.Anything self evolving is good
Believing in the unseen tomorrow without materialistic attitude attached is good; patience is good; being soulfully considerate is good; forgiving for material losses is good; believing in truth is good; believing in good times ahead is good. -
Deciding upon what is right and wrong is complicated.
Usually, though, something with good consequences is good, and something with bad consequences is wrong. If something adds more positivity than negativity in the world, that is usually the right way to go, but you have to take into account people's rights.
I take the theory of utilitarianism with the rule that you don't do something to others what you wouldn't do to yourself, to get a general idea of what is right and what is wrong.
But I think every action and situation deserves to be examined individually. And the more we know the better decisions we make.