Understanding and Responding to Human Evil: A Multicausal Approach

Abstract. One task of religion is delivering human beings from evil within and between themselves. Defining good as well-being or functioning well, evil as impaired functioning, and doing evil as impairing the functioning of others, this essay explores how religions in consort with other social inst...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zygon
Main Author: Peters, Karl E. (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: Wiley-Blackwell 2008
In: Zygon
Further subjects:B Melvin Konner
B Anger
B Brain
B Well-being
B Violence
B Evil
B Sacred center
B Andrew Newberg
B limbic system
B Evolution
B Rage
B Good
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Parallel Edition:Non-electronic
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Summary:Abstract. One task of religion is delivering human beings from evil within and between themselves. Defining good as well-being or functioning well, evil as impaired functioning, and doing evil as impairing the functioning of others, this essay explores how religions in consort with other social institutions might understand and respond to evil in light of contemporary scientific knowledge. To understand evil I use a multicausal approach that includes both biological and sociocultural environmental causes. I illustrate the use of this approach by analyzing how we might understand and respond to human rage and violence.
ISSN:1467-9744
Contains:Enthalten in: Zygon
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.1111/j.1467-9744.2008.00948.x