a random quote i found online from a philosopher called Cara Newman…
“What are the reasons that lead to one’s choice in conducting evil acts? Pain is an undeniable factor. Pain is an inevitable aspect of human journey. Pain can also be constructive, as in the process of dealing with our pain, we engage in the positive development of human psyche. Unfortunately, many souls shy away from the necessary anguish of human experiences. They actively seek for short-term pleasure and intensely avoid pain. When one runs away from pain, from facing life openly, actions of evil set in. A good example is the devastating effects of addictions as we often observe where one disregards the welfare of oneself and others in pursuing self-gratification.”
I disagree with this. I feel that acting evilly is not due to avoiding of pain, it is a desire for change. Cara Newman seems to be suggesting that people start off fine and then go ahead with being ‘evil’ to stay this way and avoid feeling bad. I disagree. I feel that pain causes people to act evil as they are exposed to painful social stimulus and then seek reprieve from it and actively rebel, through ‘evil’ acts, in order to achieve change. This ‘pain’ might not be overt. It may not be that someone is being abused physically and then as an outlet abuses others… thought this could be the case… Rather i see the ‘pain’ as an oppressive and restricting force compounded by society. (office shootings)
