[Buddha-l] Evil

[Mike Austin]

Jayarava <jayarava at yahoo.com> writes

"Why are we stupid at all?"

I think this may relate to one of the imponderables - the origin of the 
world. Why does anything exist at all, in any way shape or form? We just 
don't know.


"Our genetics predispose us to concern for the welfare of the troop"

Inasmuch as we identify our interests with the troop.


"It is actually quite a bizarre thing for a social animal to make such a 
big mistake. By rights we would simply die as a result of pursuing this 
strategy over a lifetime, let alone successive generations."

Some mistakes we get away with. I just say they don't lead to happiness.


"But this is just religious cant. You presuppose that you know what so 
called "reality" is. How does something which is not in accordance with 
reality exist at all? What definition of reality allows for that?"

I have a hypothesis that causes and their results are linked. That is my 
presupposition - a hypothesis, not a knowledge. With an unrealistic view 
of the results of their causes, the view of people behaving in an 'evil' 
manner does not correspond to people who know what brings happiness.


"You are repeating one of the arguments for the existence of a 
benevolent God despite the fact of evil. Interesting isn't it? In fact 
your "force for good" is one of the definitions of God used by Christian 
theologians in this kind of debate."

I said: "Good may have coherence and sustainability and is in accordance 
with reality - the next best thing to a 'force'" It was because I do not 
think 'force' is the right term.  A better term would be 'motivation for 
good'. I do feel as if there is some universal benevolence - and this is 
not without reason. If I intend to develop my motivation to help others, 
it is likely that others have done the same and are more advanced than I 
am. So my own practice does, in a way, bear witness to this.


"So your view of reality is universal, but your view of space is 
limited?"

This is the difference between outlook and looking.


"You have reasoned from a presupposition. If we assume that you know 
reality, then your argument is reasonable. However if we can reasonably 
doubt that you have knowledge of reality - and sorry but I do - then 
your argument is not reasonable."

Yes, my reasoning starts with presuppositions.  Your reasoning may start 
with different presuppositions. My reasoning and experience help me lead 
a contented life.


"Where is there any evidence of a coherent good, let alone a sustainable 
good, in the world?"

There are altruistic groups of people in the world. They form a coherent 
good because they work sustainably together. 'Evil' works together while 
self-interest is satisfied, so it is a temporary, incoherent 'force'.


"It will be interesting to see if I can get middle-class suburbanite 
working family people interested in this question, before they drift off 
to sleep at about 9.30pm..."

Even better, try to get them interested in an answer. Suggest that every 
being is essentially a caring being but, due to misunderstanding,  it is 
focussed on an illusory 'self'. Others get hurt in the process as a side 
effect. It is not peoples' prime motive to harm.

-- 
Metta
Mike Austin