Quote:
Originally Posted by pachyderm
What function does calling someone 'evil' serve? I think it makes us feel less powerless. It lets us "strike back" against someone who has offended -- but only in our own minds. It has no real positive effect in reality. Try telling someone who has offended you that they are evil. The most incorrigible will laugh at your impotence.
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Or it may be just a kind of unconscious (or outright) affirmation that "I am good" when discussing current events or rehashing historical events. Of the times I've been offended I can't think of any situation where I considered the other person evil.
What kind of situations are you talking about here. Do you have hypothetical or real life examples? It's a little too abstract or vague for me to understand.
Quote:
Originally Posted by pachyderm
Understanding how people get that way is more effective in correcting situations than using names. That has an internal, psychological effect -- but solves no problems. Understanding how things work makes effective correction more likely.
What I think, anyway.
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I think if someone is truly evil (or our perception of evil) and committing an "evil" act then prevention comes before understanding.