If someone had constant thoughts and fantasies about raping, torturing, killing etc people that they may or may not enjoy but were perfectly moral in the real world (either for its own sake or from fear of consequences of acting on said fantasies) is it reasonable to describe such thoughts as evil?
What about describing the person as evil in nature even if they never act on them?
Is this a sound moral judgement or just thought crime? — Captain Homicide
If not evil then what term should we use? Deviant? — Captain Homicide
If someone had constant thoughts and fantasies about raping, torturing, killing etc people that they may or may not enjoy but were perfectly moral in the real world (either for its own sake or from fear of consequences of acting on said fantasies) is it reasonable to describe such thoughts as evil? — Captain Homicide
We have three kinds of action: automatic (motions of body that do not require us to be conscious or aware) instinctive (emotional response to stimuli, over which we don't always have control, or have imperfect control) and deliberate ones that proceed from conscious thought. Most evil thoughts are not translated into action, but no evil act is performed without forethought.I say this because thinking is one of the least consequential and impactful activities human can engage in. — NOS4A2
Once it's trapped in a battery, no evil produced. While operating human bodies, all the evil in the world.If they were to store the kinetic energy produced by any of amount brain activity and release it on the world I wager it wouldn't move a feather, let alone produce any evil. — NOS4A2
Or precipitate a world war in one lifetime. Or nuke 180,000 people in an hour.Even when thoughts are reified into a phrase or book, one could observe the words for 10 lifetimes and see nothing come of it. — NOS4A2
Words are not even innocent when read by impressionable youth; they're guilty as sin when written as commands and read by obedient drones.They are completely innocent. — NOS4A2
We have three kinds of action: automatic (motions of body that do not require us to be conscious or aware) instinctive (emotional response to stimuli, over which we don't always have control, or have imperfect control) and deliberate ones that proceed from conscious thought. Most evil thoughts are not translated into action, but no evil act is performed without forethought.
Or precipitate a world war in one lifetime. Or nuke 180,000 people in an hour.
Words are not even innocent when read by impressionable youth; they're guilty as sin when written as commands and read by obedient drones.
Thought is the necessary precursor of deliberate activity and behaviour. The thoughts are evil before the person decides to do evil and thereby becomes evil.If an evil person is someone who acts immorally and wickedly, they need to act immorally and wickedly, and thinking just doesn’t rise to that level as an activity or behavior. — NOS4A2
Correct. Before action is taken, only the thinker knows. If those intentions were visible, most crimes could not take place.If you were to observe someone having evil thoughts versus someone having good thoughts, it would be impossible to determine which — NOS4A2
The ones that spell out your oath to serve. (And the subtext of punishments for refusing a direct order.) Some people have strong enough convictions to refuse anyway, and some are incapable of carrying out certain actions, regardless of the consequences. But since there is evil in every human mind, the words only need to release the repressed evil waiting for expression in those who are willing to act.What combination of words and letters could force you to push the button? — NOS4A2
Individual words are innocent. Some combinations express thoughts, ideas and desires that are evil. Words are mere symbols; have no character or moral value. They can be, and are used to convey all kinds of messages.Words are wholly innocent — NOS4A2
The blame is shared by all participants in a conspiracy to commit evil.The blame lies solely on those who act on them. — NOS4A2
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