Is there evil in nature?

[futurefields]

Can animals have malice?

 

[jhansman]

"Things are neither good nor bad but thinking makes it so." -Wm. Shakespeare

Think of evil (or "good") as a construct of the human mind, and you are nearer an answer.

 

[Ruptga]

You are a kind of animal and you made this thread, so I think we can safely say yes.

 

[bradley]

"Things are neither good nor bad but thinking makes it so.' -Wm. Shakespeare

Think of evil (or "good") as a construct of the human mind, and you are nearer an answer.

Agreed. Everyone has a different definition of good and bad. The concept we should be looking for is reasonability.

Nature certainly is not fair or reasonable. Only humanity truly has the capacity for free will and reason.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Evil is taking delight and joy over inflicting suffering on a living being.

Snakes do not enjoy biting - they bite because they feel threatened. True evil in nature would have the snake going around biting for enjoyment.

Nature is necessity, evil is not.

 

[Howard]

Evil is taking delight and joy over inflicting suffering on a living being.

Snakes do not enjoy biting - they bite because they feel threatened. True evil in nature would have the snake going around biting for enjoyment.

Nature is necessity, evil is not.

There are some animals that kill for play, can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

 

[Jodell88]

There are some animals that kill for play, can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

Killer Whales.

I think chimpanzees do as well

 

[Jodell88]

Oh, ants have wars and practice slavery.

 

[disappoint]

There are some animals that kill for play, can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

Kittehs.

 

[William Gaatjes]

Predators in nature just practice their hunting skills and territory protection by playing. It is a means to become as efficient as possible. To us it might seem evil, and in a sense it is from our point of view, a predator enjoys hunting. But that is just because they are hardwired that way through evolution.
An entity making a conscious decision resulting in inflicting purposefully suffering while it is not needed while there are better ways and while the entity in question is aware of less harmful acting could be seen as the basis of evil.

I agree with newel steamer.

Evil is taking delight and joy over inflicting suffering on a living being.

Then again ,plucking the fur of a life rabbit while hearing it squeal from pain and still continuing can also be seen as evil. Pretending it does not happen by simply ignoring it can be seen as evil. Just as not performing the act itself but pretending it does not happen is as much evil as doing the act it self.
When you pretend it does not happen, the downfall starts.

 

[Grooveriding]

Humans have malice, humans are animals, humans are part of nature... so yes.

Fail question.

 

[Newell Steamer]

There are some animals that kill for play, can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

So, it's a few, within these "some animals".

Plus, I don't think the switch from necessary killing to killing for entertainment happens overnight. It didn't happen to us overnight. And, as we grew and progressed, we came up with more creative ways to harm, torture and kill everything on this planet - when was the last time a penguin placed a tire filled with gasoline around a polar bear's neck and set it on fire?

 

[lxskllr]

I don't like the word evil. It has supernatural connotations, and there is no supernatural. All animals are subject to brain defects, so all animals can potentially act inappropriately.

 

[gorcorps]

Evil is taking delight and joy over inflicting suffering on a living being.

Snakes do not enjoy biting - they bite because they feel threatened. True evil in nature would have the snake going around biting for enjoyment.

Nature is necessity, evil is not.

Cats are evil

They kill for fun, not even for food

 

[William Gaatjes]

I don't like the word evil. It has supernatural connotations, and there is no supernatural. All animals are subject to brain defects, so all animals can potentially act inappropriately.

Evil is not supernatural. But i partially agree with you.
For example, Hitler was evil. Although he was also pumped full daily with all kinds of experimental drugs. Easier to make dreadful decisions when you are under influence. Also handy for soldiers. As can be seen in the past by the use of amphetamines. And criminals behaving violently and being paranoid because of the cocaine or meth or bath salts. So, there is the brain defect.
The question comes down to : In to what extent do you have to remove someones personality and character traits before they would choose to harm others and even might enjoy it ?
Everybody is capable of doing evil. It just depends on the person how much barriers they have naturally and how much they have created consciously to prevent them from doing unspeakable things.
The whole angel and devil story that resides in everyone.
Religions are not just wacky ideas. Sometimes it does contain some psychology based on experience. It is just that religious texts are mostly to be learned from and understood what is meant, not to be interpreted literally by the word. Biggest flaw of the human world.

 

[Newell Steamer]

Cats are evil

They kill for fun, not even for food

http://www.perfectpaws.com/help3.html#.VbTfRqaCOK0

 

[Nhirlathothep]

evil is older than men, but without humanity who can create words or thoughts ?

 

[Raizinman]

Anything can be used for good or bad. For example: A gun, the bible, it doesn't matter what it is.

 

[waggy]

Cats are evil

They kill for fun, not even for food

My cat would kill mice and birds all the time. never eat them just kill them and leave then on my front porch.

 

[mindmajick]

My cat would kill mice and birds all the time. never eat them just kill them and leave then on my front porch.

The intentions are good. The cat leaves you food since you are the dominant cat in the household.

 

[waggy]

The intentions are good. The cat leaves you food since you are the dominant cat in the household.

I been told that. or that the cat wanted me to eat more.

 

[CPA]

Am I evil?
Yes, I am
Am I evil?
I am man, yes I am.

 

[Jaskalas]

"Cats are evil"
"They need to practice hunting... by necessity"
"It's not evil if it's necessary"​

Who are we to decide what hunting is necessary for Cats?

 

[dave_the_nerd]

There are some animals that kill for play, can't remember which ones off the top of my head.

Cats.

Of course, the line between "play" and "practice makes perfect" is a fuzzy line.

A cute, fuzzy, playful line that eats kitty treats out of my hand and curls up between my feet at night.

 

[zinfamous]

Cats, but that is it. Everything else simply does what it does because it has to.

But, well, cats. Evil fucking assholes: