If, as Clyde says, "evil is evil" and "thus, it is not a matter of understanding what conditions led to performing evil acts, but a choice an evil person made" (not necessarily a quote, but probably a good paraphrase?) ... .

If this is the case, why does it seem to me that often "evil" is usually rare, random, low-grade, etc. ... but we have periods in time where it congeals and many people are engaged in horrific acts all at once?

Why are some in the US government saying they wish the Anonymous Hacktivist group would not work to shut down as much of ISIS' social media as possible?

What is "temptation" in the face of the statement "evil is evil"?

(If anyone makes a particularly good post, feel free to also PM me. Otherwise, starting Tuesday, I am going to be very busy for a about a solid week.)

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Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes.

For as long as humans have been around, we have committed horrific acts, that other than the scope, mirror what is in the animal world. Take for example that male lions sometimes kill and eat their own, or others offspring's. This is certainly not limited to lions, but meercats, certain monkeys, and other animals as well. Chimps actually take weapons, and war against other chimp tribes, killing, playing with, and eating chimps from another group. I have never seen a real difference between human and other animal behavior, and I don't see humans as different than animals. I see them as another species of animal, subject to the same behaviors. Humans can either be very cooperative, or very hostile, and each individual can change based on environmental conditions as you pointed out. I tend to stay away from the "good and evil" label, and use something such as "just the way it is". I have often heard humans referred to as the "killer ape".

Steve

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Warning, addicted to SETI crunching!
Crunching as a member of GPU Users Group.
GPUUG Website

I seem to remember this has been discussed before, as I seem to remember I posted a link to a BBC Horizon program by Professor James Fallon called "Are you Good or Evil", and his book "The Psychopath Inside"

Cannot find the full program now but there two clips, you need to see both in order
clip 1
clip 2

I seem to remember this has been discussed before, as I seem to remember I posted a link to a BBC Horizon program by Professor James Fallon called "Are you Good or Evil", and his book "The Psychopath Inside"

Cannot find the full program now but there two clips, you need to see both in order
clip 1
clip 2

I have seen that BBC Horizon program.
Makes you think.
Here is James Fallon talking more on the subject.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4MEQRgJbfU

http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr04/second.aspx
http://psych.colorado.edu/~carey/Courses/PSYC5112/Readings/psn_Markon02.pdf
http://www.crimetimes.org/04a/w04ap6.htm

Need to finish reading the second.

This subject is dealt with in exquisite allegory in Sir William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, published in 1954.

A few quotes that touch on this subject:

Civilization is hideously fragile... there’s not much between us and the Horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish. -C.P. Snow

Civilization: a thin veneer over barbarianism. -John M. Shanahan

And my favourite:

There are many humorous things in the world; among them, the white man's notion that he is less savage than the other savages. -Mark Twain, Following the Equator

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http://www.apa.org/monitor/apr04/second.aspx
http://psych.colorado.edu/~carey/Courses/PSYC5112/Readings/psn_Markon02.pdf
http://www.crimetimes.org/04a/w04ap6.htm

Need to finish reading the second.

Am I correct in my interpretation. That a persons 'DNA' may have a greater effect upon a persons response. Than environmental?

Like Socrates would say, I wouldn't claim to know for sure. I don't think the articles I posted all say the same thing, either.
I am simply soliciting thoughts regarding the nature versus nurture continuum debate.
If there's anything to it, that each has an effect, then I think we do "need to understand". Saying that does not necessarily excuse a crime, a bad or evil choice or

This subject is dealt with in exquisite allegory in Sir William Golding's novel, Lord of the Flies, published in 1954.

A few quotes that touch on this subject:

Civilization is hideously fragile... there’s not much between us and the Horrors underneath, just about a coat of varnish. -C.P. Snow

Civilization: a thin veneer over barbarianism. -John M. Shanahan

And my favourite:

There are many humorous things in the world; among them, the white man's notion that he is less savage than the other savages. -Mark Twain, Following the Equator

Regarding your post and Steve's:

Rush
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"Lock and Key"
==============
http://www.youtube.com%2fwatch%3fv%3dPYAsDQuYHIM/RK=0/RS=N0x_TNudkQOuXhpTjjw4hCzVmzw-

I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me

We carry a sensitive cargo
Below the waterline
Tickin' like a time bomb
With a primitive design

Behind the finer feelings
This civilized veneer
The heart of a lonely hunter
Guards a dangerous frontier

The balance can sometimes fail
Strong emotions can tip the scale

Don't want to silence a desperate voice
For the sake of security
No one wants to make a terrible choice
On the price of being free

I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key
Lock and key

It's not a matter of mercy
It's not a matter of laws
Plenty of people will kill you
For some fanatical cause

It's not a matter of conscience
A search for probable cause
It's just a matter of instinct
A matter of fatal flaws

No reward for resistance
No assistance, no applause

I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key

I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key
Lock and key

I don't want to silence a desperate voice
For the sake of security
No one wants to make a terrible choice
On the price of being free

I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key

I don't want to face the killer instinct
Face it in you or me
So we keep it under lock and key
Lock and key

We don't want to be victims
On that we all agree
So we lock up the killer instinct
And throw away the key
[url]Read more at http://www.songlyrics.com/rush/lock-and-key-lyrics/#2Jocd6Rk6CspSVcS.99[/url]

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Capitalize on this good fortune, one word can bring you round ... changes.

I am simply soliciting thoughts regarding the nature versus nurture continuum debate.
If there's anything to it, that each has an effect, then I think we do "need to understand". Saying that does not necessarily excuse a crime, a bad or evil choice or

It may not excuse but it may explain how.

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