The Advantage of Evil
I wasn't sure whether to put this in General or Off Grid, so I split the difference and here we are.
I'd like to discuss the advantage of evil. By this I mean the advantage an individual receives towards the realization of their goals by being willing and able to act unethically and immorally. Some examples: A businessman who grows wealthy by engaging in inside trading; A politician who gains office by lying about his opponent; An athlete who wins a competition by cheating; A cultist who gains a loyal following by preying upon the weakness and fears of believers. It's commonly understood that evil will eventually lose. We see this trope appear again and again in good storytelling and it does appear to hold some truth in real life. Most people prefer to live in a good society and most criminals are eventually caught (for something, at least). But some evil people do flourish. So I leave the topic at that. What is the advantage of evil?
I'd like to discuss the advantage of evil. By this I mean the advantage an individual receives towards the realization of their goals by being willing and able to act unethically and immorally. Some examples: A businessman who grows wealthy by engaging in inside trading; A politician who gains office by lying about his opponent; An athlete who wins a competition by cheating; A cultist who gains a loyal following by preying upon the weakness and fears of believers. It's commonly understood that evil will eventually lose. We see this trope appear again and again in good storytelling and it does appear to hold some truth in real life. Most people prefer to live in a good society and most criminals are eventually caught (for something, at least). But some evil people do flourish. So I leave the topic at that. What is the advantage of evil?
