Evil is often confused with what we consider “deviant” behavior.Deviance is any behavior that does not fit within social norms (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Even if something is determined to be deviant in one culture it doesn’t mean that it is deviant in all cultures (Ferris & Stein, 2011).
Although there are many theories, labeling theory seems to be especially accurate in the understanding of deviancy and evil. Labeling theory works to combine different theoretical perspectives, like conflict theory and symbolic interactionism (Ferris & Stein, 2011). This theories goal is not to label one person as deviant or not, it states that deviance is relative.
Evil is rated into different categories. Primary deviance is determined to be behavior that “does not conform to the social norms, but the behavior might be temporary, fleeting, exploratory, trivial, or especially, concealed from most others. The person who commits the deviant act does not see him/herself as deviant; put differently, it is not internalized as a part of the person's self-concept.” (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Secondary deviancy is behavior that is sustained over a long period of time (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Deviant career refers to secondary deviance that becomes the person’s main label in life (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Labeling theory analyzes not only how society views a person as deviant or not, but also how the person views themselves (Ferris & Stein, 2011).
Even though this theory is very good at determining the extent of deviant or what we might consider “evil” behavior there are also some draw backs to this theory. For one it can be dangerous to label some individuals, such as juveniles (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Often a label can be given unfairly. Juveniles are still developing their character and could be impressionable based on the label they are given (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Some feel that these labels can be a self-fulfilling prophecy (Ferris & Stein, 2011). It is often very hard to make sure that these labels are used without bias and with analytical thought (Ferris & Stein, 2011). Issues such as racism, sexism, or classism could be a problem in the assignation of unfair labels (Ferris & Stein, 2011).
Virtue ethics is about achieving the fullest potential of our humanity ("Virtue ethics," 2003). Honesty, courage, patience, compassion, and integrity are all virtues that are essential for a good nurse to possess ("Virtue ethics," 2003). To establish this framework we may look to the approaches of Ruggiero for guidance. He suggests that when making a hard moral decision, we usually have to choose one option and let go of the others. Ruggiero assigns value to each option, to make the decision one must look at these values and at the cost of the values of the other options to determine what is considered a fear of evil. (Green, 2004). This ranking of values calls us to rank our own system of beliefs and weigh out the outcomes of all the option (Green, 2004).
Aristotle was one of the first to address the theory of ethics, and according to some it is still one of the foremost theories on the subject of virtue. Aristotle listed ten virtues in his writing that he saw as being most important in becoming an ethical person. He also had a view that dualism existed between the body and the soul. He feels that God lives through us as stated in Genesis 2:7 The "breath of life" that God is described as breathing into Adam's nostrils is not a soul but the gift of life itself (Stevenson & Haberman, 2009, pg. 75). Descartes also examined the likely hood of God’s existence. One idea may originate from another. The archetype of the idea must possess perfection or reality to analyze the idea objectively. He continues his claim that to know for certain is proof for God’s existence. He states, “If it turns out that the objective reality of an idea is so great that he is sure that the same amount of formal or eminent reality cannot be found in him, and then he himself cannot be the cause of that idea. It will then follow, as he says, that I am not alone in the world, but that some other thing which is the cause of this idea also exists." (Cottington, 1984)
The highest fulfillment of human life was only attainable to those that gained rational knowledge, human morality is part of a personal transcendent of God.( Stevenson & Haberman, 2009, pg. 76) Aristotle also believes that the highest form of morality and goodness is happiness. He saw happiness is the ultimate end for human beings and happiness alone makes life worth living. Therefore most of the world’s suffering is the result of immoral acts of evil.
Works Cited:
Cottingham, John, Robert Stoothoff, Dugald Murdoch, and (for vol. 3) Anthony Kenny, eds. and trans. 1984. The Philosophical Writings of Descartes, vols. 1–3. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Ferris, K., & Stein, J. (2011). The real world. (3rd ed.). Territory Rights.
Stevenson, L., & Haberman, (2009). Ten theories of human nature. (5th ed.). Oxford University Press.
Virtue ethics. (2003). Retrieved from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/ethics-virtue/
