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When idle hands make mischief: Deciding if boredom causes evil

Does boredom lead people to do evil deeds? I think this is a bizarre question and it's not something I have contemplated before. Since I like answering odd questions, I'll give it my best shot.

I think that tedium causes people to find something to do, since normal individuals dislike feeling bored. This might mean that they do something that most people think is wrong. Certainly, it is a possibility. Having said this, I can find no logical reason why boredom should lead to a malignant action as opposed to one that is neutral or even benign.

Unless a person has psychotic tendencies then they have principles and are capable of feeling remorse. It is our moral conscience which stops us from doing things that we know are harmful. When faced with boredom, ordinary people usually opt to do something that isn't destructive such as read a book, bake a cake, go for a walk or play a sport. I am sure it would never occur to me to go out and kill somebody just because I was having a dull day.

I wonder if the individual who initiated this title was thinking of children or dogs at the time, since both are inclined to get up to mischief when they have nothing to do. Given that they are animals, we can hardly expect a dog to have any real sense of right and wrong. Although children become increasingly aware of what is bad as they develop, the younger they are the stronger their primal impulses will be. In other words, toddlers and infants are more disposed to gratify their immediate wants and wishes than they are to do the correct thing.

Learn more about this author, Rosa Radikalis.
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Below are the top articles rated and ranked by Helium members on:

When idle hands make mischief: Deciding if boredom causes evil

  • 1 of 17

    by Mark Dykeman

    I don't believe that boredom causes evil. I think that boredom can have some impact on making a person do stupid, questionable,

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    by Angela S. Young

    Do idle hands make mischief? Absolutely. Does boredom "cause" evil? No, it does not, but it sure does provide a fertile playground

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    by Rosa Radikalis

    Does boredom lead people to do evil deeds? I think this is a bizarre question and it's not something I have contemplated

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  • 5 of 17

    by Stacia Elizabeth Whitbeck

    The theory and the battle of good vs. evil is age old and will continue throughout humanity. Life without it would be confusing,

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When idle hands make mischief: Deciding if boredom causes evil

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