Why isn't there a single agreed-upon definition of evil? Because all people, evil or not, have a vested interest in defining evil so that it doesn't include the definer.

                                                                                                                         — J. E. Brown         

                                                                          Evil

Evil is the notion that is used to signify bad qualities rather that particular substance. In combination, these qualities may lead to injury or mischief. The effect that is being brought by the combination of such qualities is often called “evil.” The same notion can be also applied to a substance that is having a nature or properties which finally may negatively affect a person. In general, evil is not something that is simply dad – the practice actually shows that evil is more than that.

The dubious nature of evil, that can be regarded as either substance or the combination of characteristics that lack any definite form, often result in a

numerous definitions of the word “evil”.  This paper will be organized as a review of the major definitions of evil. Special attention will be also paid to the nature of these definitions.

The term “evil” has many definitions, as well as the synonyms. These can be grouped as mischievous, worthless, deleterious and etc. The term is closely connected with moral features of particular being. Usually, these features have a very clear representation. The combination of these features results in the overly negative effect of evil on general performance of the humanity.

One more definition of evil states that evil is able to exhibit bad moral qualities. Consequently, evil is a substance that is certainly morally corrupt, wicked, wrong, and vicious. As a result, it is not a big wonder that evil is able to produce only negative effect that is often represented in the form of threatening sorrow, distress, injury, calamity and other negative effects. Evil is also associated with an enormous potential that is able to produce a negative effect on people. The result is vivid to everybody – the effect of evil forces usually leads to the impairment of happiness of any being. Finally, evil comes as a result of a total deprivation of goodness.

The idea that evil is able to cause suffering of any kind to sentient beings leads me to the conclusion that evil is something that is totally opposed to good. The notion can be described as something that is often associated with moral badness, or the deviation of a moral being from the principles of virtue. These principles are usually imposed by conscience, or by the will of the Supreme Being. The result is the following: the disposition of the good may often lead to moral offence, wickedness, depravity, malady or even disease.

Evil is used to signify the quality that signifies a person who is morally bad or wrong. In the majority of cases, the notion is associated with wickedness. That feature is often used to signify harm, misfortune, or destruction. A whole thing is associated with leader's power to do both good and evil.

Also, an evil force is often associated with power, or personification. This fact often serves to be a reason of suffering, injury, or destruction. The embodiment of evil is often found in the form of social evils of poverty and injustice. A whole thing can be defined as morally bad or wrong, thus serving to be a cause of ruin, injury, or pain. The negative effect results from largely negative nature of evil. In general, a whole thing indicates future misfortune that comes as a result of deeds made by evil being.

A whole thing is associated with evil omen. The overall effect of evil omen can be characterized as bad or blameworthy. The notion of evil is also associated with a number of accompanying features such as anger or spite. A whole thing is used to signify malicious power or an evil temper. Evil is known to exist in many cultures. The term is largely used to describe intentional negative moral acts or thoughts. These should be understood as cruel, unjust or selfish.

Evil is a notion that is contrasted with good. It means that the definition of evil often implies on a kind of opposition that exists between good and evil.

The notion is used to describe acts that can be characterized as kind, or just unselfish. In some religions, evil should be viewed as an active force. The main peculiarity of this force is that it is often personified. A whole thing implies on the fact that the force exists in the form of particular entity. The notion of evil also implies on particular features of entity that can be defined as sinful, wicked or as the ones that are arising from actual or imputed bad character or conduct.

The behavior can be characterized as something that is inferior. It means that such a behavior often may serve to be a cause of discomfort or repulsion. Also, an evil signifies a negative force. This force is able to produce a genitive effect on public, often causing harm and pain.

The definition of evil often incorporates the notion of certain institution. Evil institution of slavery can be viewed as the institution that is largely caused by bad morality. In other words, evil institution is something that is morally bad or wrong. The definition is often transferred to behavior that signifies a person who acts in clearly abusing way. In other words, evil is someone who is causing harm or misfortune. The actions of evil beings often bring or signify bad luck an evil omen.

The synonym to evil is malicious. Careful consideration of this notion is often associated with a desire to cause hurt or harm. Malicious can be defined as a clear representation of what is called “evil”.  Evil means devilish. Devilish signifies people, who are connected with the devil or other powerful destructive forces. These are often represented in the form of evil spirits.

Evil is often associated with a quality that is used to signify a person who is profoundly immoral or wrong. Evil also defines as force that is able to cause harmful effects. The analysis shows that this force is able to bring about harmful, painful, or unpleasant events including a struggle between good and evil.

Evil is use to signify a situation or thing that is very unpleasant, harmful, or morally wrong. The feature should be understood as something that is morally bad or wrong, something that is being made with “evil purposes”, “an evil influence”, or “evil deeds”.

To summarize, the nature of evil remain to be the issue that has not been properly explored. That fact serves to be the main reason why there are so many defections concerned with the term.

 

Evil, humanity, virtue, notion, definition, good, quality, term

                                                       References:

The Confessions of Augustine: An Electronic Edition. Retrieved from http://www.stoa.org/hippo/.

Wilson N., In Search of Nature. New York University Press. 2000

Jani Farrell-Roberts The Seven Days of My Creation: Tales of Magic, Sex and Gender. New York University Press. 1992.

Godfriends: The Continental Medieval Mystics. Retrieved from http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/ukraine/324/godfrien.html.