September 8, 2006
Alex wants us to be careful of how we use the word “evil,” saying that there’s more to it than just “really bad”:
EVIL to me was far too powerful a word whose implications may not fit many of the definitions people give it. I decided to give the word my own solid definition, to limit its vague usage. I stripped it to the core and defined it as meaning one thing: CHAOS.
I’m essentially trying to stop people from feeling that EVIL is just a stronger word for BAD. That just makes the word yet another heavy insult that can be used in any way the user likes. My definition, however, separates those two words. EVIL can be either good or bad, but if it is EVIL, it is 100% evil. The example presented in the classroom of the person who murdered for no reason demonstrates my kind of EVIL, because someone suddenly deciding to kill for no real reason is a demonstration of chaos, which lacks explanation or predictability. Of course, someone who is not willing to find out or accept the motives of a killer may also define the murder as being EVIL.
Also, JJ and Reggy have a little dialogue going between their blogs (including comments) about the idea of evil being in the eye of the beholder/evildoer.
September 11th, 2006 at 11:21 am
[...] Mr. Wasserman writes… Mr. Wasserman writes: [...]
September 11th, 2006 at 8:16 pm
im having trouble putting the link to Heather’s blog page on my post about her response… could we go over it in class
this is my info if you wat to add me to your list
thanks!