Bad: something that has negative consequences. Evil: something that you thinks *should* (but didn’t) have negative consequences.
Show this thread
Within this model evil can have a magnitude, it’s not just Extra Big Badness. Small things like cutting in line can feel evil, snowballing into sharp judgements against individuals or whole groups of people.
-
-
Especially if the normal “punishment” of bad social vibes has no effect. (E.g. foreign tourists)
Show this thread -
The law is limited to how much punishment it can dole out so extreme bad behaviors feels evil b/c there’s no corresponding punishment. E.g. if you feel a murder rapist should get death rather than life in prison. You’ll see residual ‘evil’ that wasn’t cleaned up.
Show this thread -
One aspect of moral development is reducing the maximum of the punishment allowed in your world view. E.g. if slow torture of someone’s entire family feels like an acceptable punishment for some acts, then your moral development is very immature.
Show this thread -
It’s immature rather than perverse b/c it’s something a young child might imagine. Storytellers too. Maturity embraces the previous states. It doesn’t condemn them.
Show this thread -
One of the responsibilities of leadership is to pass punishments of the right magnitude so that evil doesn’t fester or spiral out of control. It’s not for the faint of heart.
Show this thread -
A bad leader punishes wildly. Even if you agree with the ideal, if the punishment role is performed like that of a wild animal, it’s difficult to follow.
Show this thread -
Punishing randomly (out of cluelessness) or not punishing at all are also degenerate behaviors. Evil, and resulting Punisher/Vigilante behavior grows in the shadows.
Show this thread -
To “keep your house in order” means that the aspects of your inner life should be filled with light before you try to increase your territory by fighting more wars.
Show this thread -
If your light is weak, your kingdom of consciousness is full of shadows and hyenas gnawing at your soul.
Show this thread -
The issue with most Sacred Flames is that they’re static. They give off great light but also long shadows the brighter they are. These shadows never see light just as we never see the dark side of the moon.
Show this thread -
Explorers who wander away from the sacred without being prepared often fall into a panic at encountering dark shadows. They sometimes set off wildfires in a desperate attempt to drive the darkness away.
Show this thread -
Sacred Flames are necessary only in a world with darkness. In a world of Eternal Sun (or high efficiency warm tone LED lighting), Sacredness can fall into disuse just like an oil lantern. It becomes a relic or artifact.
Show this thread -
What is lost is the ability to distinguish Shadow and Darkness. Similar in appearance, they are actually opposites. Shadow needs light. Darkness needs the absence of light.
Show this thread -
With shadow you can follow the light. With darkness you are lost. A world with eternal light is the same as a world with endless darkness. In both worlds there is no shadow that points the Way.
Show this thread -
The shadowless eternal night of the great full moon masquerades as heaven. All is laid bare. The vampire, werewolves, and ghosts come out to play.
Show this thread
End of conversation
New conversation -
Loading seems to be taking a while.
Twitter may be over capacity or experiencing a momentary hiccup. Try again or visit Twitter Status for more information.