Evil Is An Illusion (And A Serious Problem) | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Evil Is An Illusion (And A Serious Problem)

Anyone can be a hero. All you need is love.

373
Evil Is An Illusion (And A Serious Problem)
canada.com

Thomas Hobbes believed mankind was inherently evil. He believed we are incapable of behaving as a civilized moral society on our own without the guidance of an absolute ruler. We are barbaric and cruel to everyone, caring only for ourselves and our own needs rather than that of our fellow man. I don't believe that. If mankind did not have at least an ounce of kindness in him, history would have played out much differently. Not just because of the moral values we instill in our institutions, but because we have a concept of a hero. We have stories dating back centuries of men and women standing in the face adversity and winning. But even more so than that, but because some of the key qualities of most heroes are kindness and love. But it's not just our heroes that believe in these values.

A few years ago I read a story about a professor who challenged his students with the question: is God real? three words, simple yes or no answer format. But not a simple subject. One student, naïve and brash, yelled of course He exists. The professor responds, and He created everything? Again he yells, yes He did! With a smirk the professor replies so that means He created evil? The student is now not so sure of himself and replies, well no sir, I don't think so. If He didn't create evil, then He didn't create everything right? The professor smugly replied and if He did, then that means He is also evil, and therefore not a benevolent God. The class was silent. He exclaims once again I have proved God cannot exist. But another student stands and asks the professor: Does cold exist? A little confused but full of confidence the professor replies well of course it exist, what kind of question is this? Haven't you ever been cold before? The student calmly replied No sir, cold does not exist. What we call cold is actually just an absence of heat, which is a unit of energy. There is no "cold particle" but simply an absence of the energy required to make heat. He then asks: does darkness exist? Yes, the professor responds, haven't you ever seen shadows or been in a dark room before? As calmly as before the student says, wrong again sir, darkness does not exist. What we describe as dark is an absence of light. You cannot measure darkness itself, you measure the light in the region, or the lack thereof in dark places. The student then posed a final question: Does evil exist? The professor is now less confident in himself, but he replies, well yes, we see it in mankind's infinite capacity for war and violence. We see it in the corrupted government offices and in the countries without food and basic human necessities because someone in power denied it to them. With a polite smile, the student responds, once again, you are wrong. Evil does not exist, or at least not in itself. Evil is simply the absence of love and kindness in one's heart. When someone has an absence of care for their fellows, they do not have increase in capacity to do vile things, but rather a decrease in capacity to feel mercy for those they harm.

Evil is a serious problem. Just as much as the cold is for those without a place to call home, and darkness is a problem for those without light. As Citadel Cadets we are constantly being exposed to new ideals and arguments on morality and ethics. We have lectures on issues that are not so black and white, but grey and we then have to decide what would we do in those situations. And there are no easy answers. In more than just morality but in most aspects of our development. America has become complacent. And complacency is the enemy of achievement. It's time for us to get up and take a stand. But we must remember evil is not combated by violence and destruction. It is not combated by division and distrust. It is combated by allowing love and kindness to grow in your heart so that you can share it with others. We all share this planet. We all live here, and we will all die here. And if we cannot secure a foothold for a better world for ourselves, we will only be taking away light, warmth, and love from future generations. Anyone can be a hero. All you need is love.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

183951
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

10460
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454731
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24627
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments