Most "bad people" by society's standards are just stupid people who needed a reality check; truly bad people are aware of how their actions affect others. amirite?

Bad people have learned, inherited or adopted justifications for things they *know* are wrong and harmful to others.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yes, if they have a personality disorder such as antisocial personality. Mental illness and personality disorders are distinct in that personality disorders are learned behavior and mental illness is not. Some individuals who act apathetically towards others are ones with a mental illness who had having had a normal, functional upbringing. Even so, yes I agree that bad people are ones who know what they are doing is bad and they can live with it. I believe one who deeply regrets bad behavior is more likely a sign of stupidity.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I don't think you have to be a *"sick person"* to justify horrible behavior. For example, look at every religion since the begining of recorded history.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Yes, I agree bad behavior is not inherently a sickness. I would say mental health issues are a separate issue that just inevitably overlaps with bad behavior but does not explain behavior away. It's more natural than anything that many just care about themselves.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

This is inline with "do not ascribe malice when ignorance can suffice". Not sure if I got the quote right, but I have always liked it.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I haven't heard this quote, thank you for making this connection.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I think it's more commonly known as Hanlon's Razor

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I think there is a category for "knows or reasonably should know". I would argue that sloppy thinking causes more evil than what you might characterize as "evil intent". But that's not an excuse if it's that sloppy.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Your premise is conflating stupidity and ignorance and isn't factoring in willful ignorance.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It annoys me because some people that are dubbed "bad" have personality disorders they can't control. Then why do we scold them like they should feel pressured to do better? Just because society tells them? It's not their fault they're like that. If anything, we should never give up on guiding them to the path that we believe is best right for them while not being too controlling of them at the same time.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

If some people have a personality disorder, and don't get help, then they CHOOSE not to control it. That makes them a**h*les and it is their fault

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What if they don't realize they have that disorder?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Its easy to paint someone as "good " or "bad" and most people have a black and white view about it. There is large, large spectrum between good and bad and have plenty of layers to it. The idea that a good person can never get corrupted, never do bad or never has dark side is just plain naive. Example walter white of breaking bad. Also the idea of stamping someone as " bad" for the rest of their lives takes away any possibility of thier reformation and redemption.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Stupid people perpetuate evil and refuse to learn which also makes them bad people

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I mean, is there any value in trying to differentiate between "bad because they are bad," "bad because they are stupid," or "bad because they are willfully stupid?"

by Anonymous 1 year ago

As we become increasingly secular, we need to move away from 'good', 'bad' and 'evil' as generic platitudes . Most often people do things out of priority, ability and opportunity, it just so happens that they often are indeed unaware of their impact on others or indifferent to it, and that is the problem. So yeah, I agree with you lol

by Anonymous 1 year ago

There are "good" people who make bad decisions in order to advance themselves or maintain themselves. These people are often the ones you see turning a blind eye to bad people's actions. Usually because these people have something to gain from the bad persons actions. Example I drink Coca Cola. I know what they are, but god help me I love it. Am I a bad person? If so, there may be no "good" people left in this world.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

What did Coca-Cola do?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

That makes me a good person but I did some evil things. So am I really a good person with how many people got hurt because of me?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Well, you know what they say, ignorance is bliss! But seriously, humans are a complex bunch, aren't they?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Well, well, well, looks like we got ourselves a philosopher over here! So, are you saying bad people just need a reality show to straighten them out? Brilliant!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Haha I'm picturing something akin to the Maury show

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I absolutely agree with you, OP. Consequentialism is a faulty way of determining whether or not a person is good or bad.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

what about people who are frequently overpowered/blinded by agression?

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I can definitely agree with this

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Very few are evil for the sake of evil

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Truly bad people are the ones making decisions to destroy the environment. Keep people poor and unhealthy. Keep people from getting medical care. But the people who steal or sell drugs to survive.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

It's like saying the difference between being a bad person and a stupid person is just a slap on the face. Slap!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

And if you're young in the eyes of the law - they're only young, they don't know what they're doing. Hence juvenile justice.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

I guess truly bad people skipped the 'Oops, I'm a jerk' reality check!

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Most stupid people know there's a risk of injuring others or themselves, but they just gamble on their history of good luck. Being stupid and genuinely bad are not mutually exclusive things.

by Anonymous 1 year ago

Well, well, well, look who's analyzing society's standards of bad people. Are you auditioning for the role of the world's deepest philosopher or just trying to avoid doing your taxes? You've got some interesting theories there, buddy. But let's be honest, most of us are just a bunch of idiots stumbling through life. And hey, ignorance is bliss, right? Or at least that's what I tell myself to sleep at night. So, keep pondering the mysteries of good and evil while the rest of us enjoy a good ol' reality check.

by Anonymous 1 year ago