What is Evil? Though it is defined in the dictionary as “profoundly immoral and malevolent,” or “profound immorality, wickedness, and depravity, especially when regarded as a supernatural force,” what is it really? Who decides whether or not someone or something is evil? Evil is defined differently for everyone. When wrestling with the idea of good and evil, some focus on the motivation behind an evil thought or behavior, while others consider the kinds of environments that nurture evil. Some are adamant that people are not evil, yet their actions sometimes are. Others embrace the idea that good and evil coexist, and that you can’t embody one without the presence of the other. While opinions differ about …show more content…
She purposely drowned her two sons (the oldest being only three years old) by strapping them in their child seats and rolling her Mazda into a lake and leaving the two boys there to die. Smith then claimed that a “black carjacker” had kidnapped her children. This sent the nation on a wild goose chase for the man she had invented to take the blame for her cruel deed. It wasn’t until over a week later when she confessed to her pastor that it was indeed her who had murdered her two sons. As many often do when things like these happen, the police and investigators on Smith’s case turned to the concept that Smith was not mentally stable the night of the incident in question. Where did this evil deed stem from? Did it stem from psychological problems? Did it stem from the evil within? And most importantly, is it truly “evil” if there was intended “good”? These are all questions we ask ourselves when terrible and tragic events such as this occur. The urge to make sense of the situations often leads people to conclusions that may not be accurate as to try and comprehend what the perpetrator was thinking. Another like incident in which the outcome from the tension between good and evil was destructive was caused by a father by the name of Justin Harris. In July of 2014, Harris left his 22 month old son in the back of his sweltering car before heading into work. Harris …show more content…
Because of this, the tension between good and evil sometimes produces a positive, creative result. When the finish line of the Boston Marathon was bombed, there were few deaths, yet countless life-altering injuries, not to mention emotional trauma. However, after this event took place, citizens of Boston and all over the US started “Boston Strong,” a simple phrase that strengthened the community, improved outreach, and unified everyone involved. Devastating natural disasters such as Hurricane Katrina or the earthquake that struck Nepal are other incidents of disaster and misfortune creating community outreach and unity. After disasters, communities are additionally made physically stronger. Buildings and general infrastructure are greatly improved, in hope of better preparation should another natural disaster strike.
Throughout history, good and evil have been a constant topic of discussion. Whether we are talking about terrorists, natural disasters, or simply your older brother breaking your toy, good and evil surround us. While opinions differ about the nature of good and evil, the tension remains the same. Outcomes are created, whether positive or negative. However horrible an event is, we seem to make light of it. We seem to be able to find the needle of good in the haystack of evil of life. But what is evil