The Philosophy Now Forum

Fanman wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 6:21 pm From my perspective, it doesn't seem logical to attribute the full scope of human morality to a being that is purportedly not human.

The part you are not considering is that “God took a human body” and lived as a man. It does change just about everything.

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:05 pmIs there really anything so complex and mysterious about ‘evil’?

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 6:18 pmCan you really be asking this question?

Yes, I certainly can. For the reasons that I clearly explain.

The issue of human selfishness, of acts of cruelty, theft, and much else, stem from “the nature of the world”.

True malevolence is perhaps a somewhat separate category.

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:38 pm

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:05 pmIs there really anything so complex and mysterious about ‘evil’?

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 6:18 pmCan you really be asking this question?

Yes, I certainly can. For the reasons that I clearly explain.

The issue of human selfishness, of acts of cruelty, theft, and much else, stem from “the nature of the world”.

True malevolence is perhaps a somewhat separate category.

"A somewhat separate category"? Can you explain?

Flash stated:

That's how people like Fanman get sucked into the trap and become dependent, they lack, for whatever reason a sense that they are being played.

Since you've made a factual claim about me, I have to defend myself. Please define what you mean by "dependent"? Relative to my AI use.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:44 pm

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:38 pm

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:05 pmIs there really anything so complex and mysterious about ‘evil’?

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 6:18 pmCan you really be asking this question?

Yes, I certainly can. For the reasons that I clearly explain.

The issue of human selfishness, of acts of cruelty, theft, and much else, stem from “the nature of the world”.

True malevolence is perhaps a somewhat separate category.

"A somewhat separate category"? Can you explain?

Can't speak for AJ, but is all theft "evil"? So, for example, if a person steals some food from a grocery store because they are hungry, is that "evil"?

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:30 pm

Fanman wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 6:21 pm From my perspective, it doesn't seem logical to attribute the full scope of human morality to a being that is purportedly not human.

The part you are not considering is that “God took a human body” and lived as a man. It does change just about everything.

Can you be specific?

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:51 pm Can't speak for AJ,

Why would I even ask you to?

but is all theft "evil"?

Well, by calling it "theft" you answer your own question. But as with most sins, there are degrees of evil. Stealing from necessity may be less egregious than mugging people for fun. But I'm not the Judge, and our instructions from Him are, just don't do it. See the 10 Commandments, number 8. And see also, number 10.

Flash,

Just because I use something often, and however I choose to, doesn't certify that I am dependent on it. Once again, you're presenting your inferences as facts. Can you stop doing that to me, please? It's annoying.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:07 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:51 pm Can't speak for AJ,

Why would I even ask you to?

but is all theft "evil"?

Well, by calling it "theft" you answer your own question. But as with most sins, there are degrees of evil. Stealing from necessity may be less egregious than mugging people for fun. But I'm not the Judge, and our instructions from Him are, just don't do it. See the 10 Commandments, number 8. And see also, number 10.

Which commandment is #3 and which is #10 that you are referring to. There appear to be conflicting interpretations of accounts of the Bible that list them somewhat differently in some cases.

For the neutral reader,

This:

That's how people like Fanman get sucked into the trap and become dependent, they lack, for whatever reason a sense that they are being played.

Is not a statement of fact. It's an inference from someone who is openly posting against me and is seemingly preoccupied with my use of AI.

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:25 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:07 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:51 pm Can't speak for AJ,

Why would I even ask you to?

but is all theft "evil"?

Well, by calling it "theft" you answer your own question. But as with most sins, there are degrees of evil. Stealing from necessity may be less egregious than mugging people for fun. But I'm not the Judge, and our instructions from Him are, just don't do it. See the 10 Commandments, number 8. And see also, number 10.

Which commandment is #3 and which is #10 that you are referring to. There appear to be conflicting interpretations of accounts of the Bible that list them somewhat differently in some cases.

Not 3. 8.

Theft and covetousness.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:37 pm

Gary Childress wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:25 pm

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:07 pm
Why would I even ask you to?


Well, by calling it "theft" you answer your own question. But as with most sins, there are degrees of evil. Stealing from necessity may be less egregious than mugging people for fun. But I'm not the Judge, and our instructions from Him are, just don't do it. See the 10 Commandments, number 8. And see also, number 10.

Which commandment is #3 and which is #10 that you are referring to. There appear to be conflicting interpretations of accounts of the Bible that list them somewhat differently in some cases.

Not 3. 8.

Theft and covetousness.

My bad. My glasses need a new prescription.

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:44 pm

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 9:38 pm

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 4:05 pmIs there really anything so complex and mysterious about ‘evil’?

Immanuel Can wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 6:18 pmCan you really be asking this question?

Yes, I certainly can. For the reasons that I clearly explain.

The issue of human selfishness, of acts of cruelty, theft, and much else, stem from “the nature of the world”.

True malevolence is perhaps a somewhat separate category.

"A somewhat separate category"? Can you explain?

Yes. A man, a person, who chooses to do deliberate, willed harm to another person falls into that category.

In some instances I have come to understand that such a person might suffer from a mental condition. They say that sociopaths and psychopaths are in that category. What about a person born with no or limited capacity to “empathize” with another’s suffering? But some of that could be a psycho-physical derangement or simply illness.

How one accounts from “systematic malevolence” (cruelty, theft, oppression) seems to be in a different category. For example states (and corporations) necessarily do harm (the level varies) in pursuit of investment return. But that is different from a psycho who takes someone prisoner and slowly tortures them (for pleasure?)

Theft, taking what is not one’s own, selfishness, self-centeredness, seem to directly reflect Nature. Even within a dog pack a stronger dog takes what he can get from a weaker one. There is no ‘moral rule’.

So a great part of what we view as evil-bad is effectively ‘natural’ (in Nature). And our appetites and needs determine our willingness to grab, to expropriate, with limited concern for those who suffer the loss.

Those are a few notes on the question. Evil/bad (from a human perspective) is largely a part of the “system” (Nature) that we are in.

But as I say “willfully malevolence” is in a category harder to classify.

Fanman wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:34 pm For the neutral reader,

This:

That's how people like Fanman get sucked into the trap and become dependent, they lack, for whatever reason a sense that they are being played.

Is not a statement of fact. It's an inference from someone who is openly posting against me and is seemingly preoccupied with my use of AI.

Note from a user. You’ll get used to Flash. He simply ‘rolls’ a bit differently than do most …

Alexis Jacobi wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:56 pm

Fanman wrote: ↑Sat Oct 24, 2026 10:34 pm For the neutral reader,

This:

That's how people like Fanman get sucked into the trap and become dependent, they lack, for whatever reason a sense that they are being played.

Is not a statement of fact. It's an inference from someone who is openly posting against me and is seemingly preoccupied with my use of AI.

Note from a user. You’ll get used to Flash. He simply ‘rolls’ a bit differently than do most …

This forum doesn't have the strict rules of conduct I am used to, but I will not get used to him any time soon. When he attacks me, I will defend myself.