The case may be historical or fictional. If the case is historical,…
Question Answered step-by-step The case may be historical or fictional. If the case is historical,… The case may be historical or fictional. If the case is historical, be sure to restrict your discussion of details to those which are relevant given the main task of the writing assignment. In other words, discuss facts that provide the necessary context for your standpoint and that clearly demonstrate the occurrence of at least one variety of evil. Fictional cases may be from an external source like a novel, television show, or film; or they may be a product of your own imagination. If you select a fictional case from an external source, once again make sure you restrict your discussion of the source to facts that provide the necessary context for your standpoint and that clearly establish the occurrence of one or more of the four varieties of evil.. The Four Varieties of Evil The four varieties of evil discussed in the course thus far are (1) demonic, (2) instrumental, (3) idealistic, and (4) banal. Please keep in mind that there are two sub-varieties of instrumental evil, (a) Kantian radical evil and (b) necessary evil, which should not be confused with one another. If you think that none of the four varieties of evil adequately account for the case you are discussing, then present your reasons for why this is so. Make sure, however, that you have conducted a conceptual analysis of your case and established to the best of your ability that your case in fact is a case of a new, different variety of evil, to avoid ending up arguing that something is not one of the four varieties of evil when it in fact is.For example, let’s say a student discusses an act of sadism, and thinks that sadistic evil is distinct from all four varieties of evil discussed in the course. This is inaccurate, and a conceptual analysis reveals precisely how. Sadism is pleasure taken in the pain of others, and a sadist who causes others pain against their will to experience pleasure is in violation of moral principles as a means to an end. Hence, the sadistic behaviour described here is in fact an instance of instrumental evil of the Kantian radical evil variety. Do not assume that because the specific motive or disposition of the agent or agents of evil in your case are most directly characterized by words like “sadism,” “hatred,” etc., they do not fall under one of the four varieties of evil discussed in the course. Whatever your case may be, ask yourself: Is it a particular instance of and thus does it fall under one of the four varieties of evil discussed in the course? Social Science Psychology SOCI 3005 Share QuestionEmailCopy link Comments (0)


