I've often made the point that the vast majority of "evil" acts are done in the pursuit of some greater good on the part of the perpetrator. A lot of people aren't ready to hear this.
The British TV series Utopia is the example I often reference, even though few Americans have seen it. It depicts a cabal of scientists who develop a virus …
I've often made the point that the vast majority of "evil" acts are done in the pursuit of some greater good on the part of the perpetrator. A lot of people aren't ready to hear this.
The British TV series Utopia is the example I often reference, even though few Americans have seen it. It depicts a cabal of scientists who develop a virus that will wipe out 90% of the human population, with the justification that this is the only way to avert climate disaster. Their zealous belief that this is the only way to prevent mass starvation and war led them to commit horrendous acts of torture and murder to see their plot through to the end.
I like this example better than pointing to Stalin or Mao's utopianism because it is disconnected from ideologies and historical events that people have strong opinions about, and the fictional story is able to examine the motivations, rationalizations, and backstory of the scientists in a way that we cannot do with historical figures. It makes clear that these people who are trying to perpetuate history's greatest genocide truly believe in the righteousness of their actions.
I would also say that whenever you label an outgroup as an "enemy" the seed of evil deeds is planted. The only way to counter this is with a fundamental belief in the unity and intrinsic worth of all people. Understanding that evil is just good from a different perspective helps a lot.
I've often made the point that the vast majority of "evil" acts are done in the pursuit of some greater good on the part of the perpetrator. A lot of people aren't ready to hear this.
The British TV series Utopia is the example I often reference, even though few Americans have seen it. It depicts a cabal of scientists who develop a virus that will wipe out 90% of the human population, with the justification that this is the only way to avert climate disaster. Their zealous belief that this is the only way to prevent mass starvation and war led them to commit horrendous acts of torture and murder to see their plot through to the end.
I like this example better than pointing to Stalin or Mao's utopianism because it is disconnected from ideologies and historical events that people have strong opinions about, and the fictional story is able to examine the motivations, rationalizations, and backstory of the scientists in a way that we cannot do with historical figures. It makes clear that these people who are trying to perpetuate history's greatest genocide truly believe in the righteousness of their actions.
I would also say that whenever you label an outgroup as an "enemy" the seed of evil deeds is planted. The only way to counter this is with a fundamental belief in the unity and intrinsic worth of all people. Understanding that evil is just good from a different perspective helps a lot.