Mean, cruel, and callous. Is "evil" a part of all of them or a level above?

@Betty I think all of these are components of what I would call "evil". They also fall under the umbrella of the dark triad: Machiavellianism, narcissism, and psychopathy. "Evil" has no otherworldly meaning for me -it exists in certain humans, maybe some animals as well. It may come about as a result of a brain abnormality. Certain abnormalities with the prefronral cortex have been observed in psychopaths. If this is responsible, then "evil" is not a choice, in my opinion. If it is seen in otherwise normal individuals, such as those who supported Hitler in Europe during WWII, or what's happening in our own country today, then it is.

Well, I have been callous to my ex-boyfriend who keeps contacting me. I am short with him for my own sanity. Though to be honest I don't know for a fact that he is truly hurt by me ignoring him, or just claiming he is to make me feel bad.

He calls me mean and cruel for not letting him back into my life in a meaningful way, but I have to prune his presence out of my life for my own sake. I don't feel this is evil, as it's being done in the spirit of self care. I guess this makes me selfish, but if I didn't do it, I'd be inflicting pain on myself, so it's a choice, the lesser of two evils.

I think we are all mean to people, to some degree, at some point in our lives, without rational causes sometimes, but due to emotional strains or psychological problems. Perhaps that is just a sprinkle of evil -- but not what I'd call pure evil.

So, while your definition is a good one and perhaps true, hopefully there are loopholes! I don't consider myself evil, but admit that I am knowingly cold to some people.

@Julie808 That's totally different. You are protecting yourself from someone whom you no longer want to see. That's not callous, just moving on.

@Julie808 sounds perfectly reasonable to me!

Is there a level at which it becomes "evil" or is it just pure "evil"?

@Betty does it matter?

@MsKathleen Maybe or maybe not. Just curious how the word had changed its meaning over time.

I've heard that one before.

Glad I read through the answers! That was going to be mine!

Intentional and with forethought seems to fit the best.

That's right

What is your definition of "evil" Not the religious definition. Just what you would consider evil?

@Betty I would consider evil to be the most extreme of bad things, the point being that a hard and fixed definition would be, and is itself, an evil generally.

The word "evil" has been used to describe so many things even annoyances. How do you use the word?

Too long to read.

@Betty My main point is I tend to avoid using it at all, because I do not think it is a good word. But if I did it would mean very bad things, but with a very fuzzy edge.

@Fernapple How do you feel about the word "evil" being downgraded to casual? In person conversations we have facial expressions, body language, and tone to give clues on the intensity of certain words. With the written statement it becomes more difficult to determine that said intensity.

Were you a philosophy major in college?

@Betty That is very true. Interestingly, Plato wrote about that same thing nearly twenty five centuries ago.

@Betty, @Barnie2years No I am just a dumb ass redneck.

@Fernapple Dumb no, smart yes.

I like that. A deliberate intent.

That's right I agree with you