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    %GOAL ASSUME BELIEF CONVICTION PROCESS QUESTION+930106
    %KINDS FLAW DEFECT IMPERFECT PERSON IDEAL VALUE+930106
              %EVIL LOVE INTIMACY SEX CONFORM LEGAL 930107

     People  have  often  disagreed regarding what is  the
essence of evil: non-conformity, rebellion,  disobedience,
lack of discipline,  disrespect, alienation, estrangement,
stubbornness, chaos, disorder, etc. Each suggestion can be
shown to be flawed in one way or another; but of the above
the ones which seem to be the least  flawed are pointed to
by the words "alienation" and "estrangement".

     Many suggestions regarding the nature of the  essence
of  evil are flawed because they implicitly state that the
opposite  of evil involves the concentration of the  power
to  control  personal thoughts,   feelings,   perceptions,
expressions,  behaviors,  etc.   in some  person,   group,
institution, system, etc.
     Such  a  concentration  of  power  usually  leads  to
alienation and  estrangement,   and to behaviors generally
regarded  as  evil  quite  apart from formal  definitions.
Thinking of  alienation and estrangement as the essence of
evil  does not necessarily lead  to a suggestion that  the
power  to control should  be concentrated in some  person,
group,   institution,   system,   etc.   Thus,   regarding
alienation and  estrangement  as central  to the nature of
evil appears less flawed than most other suggestions; even
if not perfect and beyond criticism.

     If  alienation  and  estrangement are  close  to  the
essence of evil,  it would seem reasonable to  think  that
the  opposite  of  alienation and  estrangement  would  be
generally regarded as good, desirable,  worthy of respect,
etc. Such is not always the case when viewing occasions of
human intimacy  and  suggestions  of moving toward greater
intimacy.   True intimacy would seem close to the opposite
of alienation and estrangement; but true intimacy is often
suspected,   regarded  with suspicion,   and  discouraged;
rather  than  viewed as good and  worthy  of  respect  and
support.

     Many  times  true intimacy is suspected because it is
not under the control of the "right"  individual,   group,
authority,  institution, or system;  and might lead to the
questioning  of  the power-to-control of  such  a  "right"
center of control.  True intimacy is bound on occasions to
call   into  question  collusive  games  of  mutual   self
deception, addictive patterns of thought and behavior, and
codependent  support of these.  Not everybody wants to see
these issues clarified, and many powerful people work hard
to  keep  the  issues confused---so that they  may  retain
their power to be in control.

     The  question of the nature of the essence of  "evil"
is logically related to the question of the nature of  the
essence of "good".  Is the nature of the essence of "good"
pointed  to  by  words  such  as:   respect,   compliance,
obedience, order,  disciplined,  legal, etc. If such words
are regarded as pointing to the essence of  "good",   then
welcomed dictatorships must be "good"!  Such  words do not
adequately point to the essence of "good".

     Words  which  might better point to  the  essence  of
"good"   would  include:  reconciled,  resolved conflicts,
forgiven,    personally  accepted,   personal   integrity,
communal  integrity,   honesty,  openness,   authenticity,
responsive,  mutuality,  security,  balance, freedom to be
vulnerable,  growing, learning,  communicating,  dialogue,
conversation, true intimacy, gentleness, health, recovery,
reunion, healing, etc.
                                                                                                                               
                         (c) 2005 by Paul A. Smith in      
                    (On Being Yourself, Whole and Healthy)  
                                                                                                                               
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