The Problem of Evil

Initiated by:
• Ceit

Details

There is a topic Good and Evil, but this is another step deeper into one side of it. Here are the videos and discussion questions for this hangout: An introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9AzNEG1GB-k JRR Tolkien and Evil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjE94hbxjLI Evil human nature https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V-lLwQ_F8ko Have we all become evil? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KVl5kMXz1vA&pp=ygUQdG9sa2llbiBhbmQgZXZpbA%3D%3D The famous banality of evil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4la6DkldJyc https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LjAESuTW-U One woman stands against evil https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCjUeNOGhgQ (Optional because he's long and rambly) Reaction to "The Lucifer Effect" [Philip Zimbardo] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-4DwOauRGI&t=653s (Pt 1) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJ3WlWM0lGc (Pt 2) A little reading, if you like https://onlysky.media/alee/tolkien-never-solved-the-problem-of-evil/ 1. Does evil really exist? Could it just be an unavoidable conflict of needs? 2. If you think evil does exist, how do you define it? Are there people who are truly evil? 3. Do you think you could avoid committing evil? How can you be sure? 4. What should we do, as a society, with those who commit evil acts? Are they at the same level as those who commit "normal" crimes, or should there be a separate authority to deal with them? 5. Is there an essence or spirit of evil that exists outside of the material world, or is the experience of evil dependent on consciousness/observation? 6. Are only humans evil? Why (not)? Please remember to watch at least a few videos before you arrive since we’ll be discussing them when we begin. Once the hangout begins, everyone will introduce each other and then take turns asking the provided questions in order to keep the discussion on topic. Hangouts typically last 90 minutes, and once the hangout is over you will have the opportunity to add people to your buddytree to organize private hangouts and develop friendships. As always, these hangouts provide the opportunity for a thoughtful, respectful and engaging discussion in a safe space where disrespectful behaviour is not tolerated.