by D. Kearney Sparano

Created on: February 03, 2009

Evil like most things in this world is known on site but difficult to define. Human being instinctively know right from wrong when we see it, at least that is my hope and belief. Trying to define and come to terms with evil, why it exists and why it is perpetrated is not easy. The problem of evil and its existence is one that I have pondered for some time, often alone in a quiet moment of reflection.

There are questions that must be asked when thinking about evil and its motivation. Clearly there are varying levels of evil and evil acts. Lying is not on the same level as stealing, and stealing is not the same as murder. Also there is intent. Lying to spare someone's feeling isn't the same as telling the truth to hurt someone and so on. Of course there is also the question of religion and doctrine to consider. In defining evil what is the place of God and Satan. Also whatever the definition and motivation of evil its opposite must apply for good.

My idea is this: Evil in all its form is selfishness/self-centeredness, and good is selflessness.

Looking through history, mythology, literature and theology I find that this model holds up. People that commit acts deemed evil all do so with selfish, self-centered motivations. There is no regard for other people or for society. Look at the rampant greed of the banking system that has caused this economic downturn. Every executive and CEO was looking to get as much money in their pocket as possible. They had no regard for the effect it would have on the consumer, the nation or even their own company. Look at any newspaper and read the headlines. All the criminal acts are motivated by personal gain or the exclusion of the thought of others. Murder, rape, hate crimes are not committed by some one who puts other's needs above their own.

When looking at great villains of literature, films and pop culture, they are all motivated by selfishness. In The Lord of the Rings, Sauron wants to control and shape Middle Earth according to his design. Gollum kills all that get in his way of possessing his "precious." Hannibal Lector is possessed by his narcissistic love of his own intellect and appetites. Looking to the great morality tale of the age, Star Wars, we see that the down fall of Anakin is his selfish possessive nature. Finally in comic books what makes Lex Luthor evil, his great self-centered ego. If there were no Superman he'd be the greatest man on earth, but he isn't and he can't stand it.

There are hundreds if not thousands more examples, but rather then list them I would rather leave off this article about evil, discussing good. As I said being the opposite of selfishness, good is selflessness. As there examples in history, literature and culture of evil so there are for good. George Washington, Martin Luther King, Gandhi, Atticus Finch, Batman, Luke Skywalker, Frodo, Jesus were all written of lived lives believing in causes and ideas greater then themselves. They put others before themselves. Such is the key to goodness.

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