Is evil inevitable?

Inspired by a recent mass debate about the age-old controversy about whether evil is inevitable, i hereby shall share my sentiments and thoughts on this issue.

First, to kick off the discussion, we need a definition of evil. I would define it as bearing morally reprehensive thoughts or conduct that goes against moral values. Some of you may disagree, if no manifestation of the evil occurs, how then could you call the person evil?

The following opinions sought to debunk the idea.
1. The only thing separating a man from committing evil may be only social punishment and reprimand. If so, the evil is inherent in the person. Fear is the only thing separating the person from committing evil. Remove the fear, and it is likely he will commit the evil.
2. Evil thoughts thus often develop into real life actions, especially if the person is of weak moral strength. Recall Macbeth? How is it that such a seemingly loyal subject to the king be eventually so wicked? It can be said that the cause of it is the evil taking over his own internal forces which has been supressing it so far.

Hence, i deem it sufficient to declare one tainted by evil as long as he harbours intention. Note that i did not call the person evil. If i did that i would be declaring the whole world evil, which is unfair. To simplify things, one can take it as a relative thing- if one harbours more satanic thought/actions than goodwill, then he is evil overall. Otherwise, i still think he is a fine human specimen, which is unfortunately also implying he is susceptible to evil.

Having strayed away so far from the original topic, you may ask WHAT IS YOUR POINT? My stand is that evil is inevitable, to be human is to experience evil, to be evil to a certain extent. This is because I feel that emotions are definite of human nature, and to experience is emotion is indeed to be susceptible to evil. You may think of me as a pessimist, and a cynic, but i am a strong believer in logic.

Terry Goodkind wrote in his Sword of truth series, " The only soverignty i can allow to rule myself is logic, faith and feelings are darkness to reason's light ". Some of the seven sins, such as anger or jealousy, is also highly emotive in nature. I am not saying human cannot experience emotions, all i am saying is that embracing emotions make you susceptible to evil, more often than not, even those with the highest moral integrity will suffer from the occasional invasion of pernicious thoughts.

To be human is to indeed experience emotions. And to experience emotions, is to make yourself highly susceptible to evil. Unless you can reach the peak of zen, and view all emotive happenings with a peaceful mind and heart, using reason as your main source of mental power, i can say that it is inevitable you will have close encounters with the devil sometime in your life.

Next up, the argument on what constitutes moral values.... next time ba.