Evil Is Anyone Who Thinks They Are Superior

Evil is the absence of clarity – divine splendour. Being a passive observer is being complicit in evil, unwittingly validating the actions of those causing harm by the use of words, and thus lowering standards of social behaviour. In other words, ignoring both whatever is in front of them, and that which is perceiving.

Belief in one’s own superiority is the engine behind historical and individual acts of malice. When people or groups convince themselves that they are inherently better, more enlightened or morally superior to others, it removes the empathy required to treat people with kindness.

Dehumanisation requires us to view others as inferior – “If I’m right, others must be wrong” – when the truth is that we are all confused and fixated.

Once a person or group is reduced to a lower status, it becomes much easier to justify mistreating, exploiting, or abusing them without feeling guilt. We can see this happening throughout history – and every day.

Malicious actors rarely believe that they are the villains; instead, they see themselves as heroes. Believing in their own moral superiority allows them to blame others under the guise of cleansing the world, protecting a greater good, or enforcing order. They forget that the cause of suffering is a belief in a self and ‘my’ group.

Even those who accept the laws of karma may refrain from positive action by thinking that people’s suffering is their karma, never realising they too are part of that karma. 🙂 These individuals prioritise their ego and power over truth and cooperation.

True curiosity, humility, and the refusal to view human beings as objects are the strongest defences against falling into this trap.