Avoiding judgmental terms such as “good” and “evil” in favor of using words that are descriptive can help make our public discussions about how to best protect our society from those who cause harm far more effective. When we characterize a behavior or an individual as “evil” we obfuscate the person or people involved. Additionally, evil is a term which confers almost a mystical, other worldly quality. The word can distract us from recognizing a serious mental disorder, while simultaneously elevating the problem into something far more formidable and resistant to solutions.
Rejecting judgmental thinking is an idea which is widely misunderstood. Many traditionalists accuse people who reject judgmental terms of being either dangerously naïve, or willfully blind and disingenuous. Preferring to use descriptive language is not due to an inability or unwillingness to recognize that some behaviors cause pain and suffering, while others bring happiness and joy. But characterizing behavior, or people as “good” or “bad” makes erroneous presumptions about the nature of the problem and gives rise to ineffective solutions.
When attempting to understand human behavior, failing to employ language that is as descriptive and precise as possible is like trying to repair a computer using a hammer and nails. As used by politicians, news personalities, and on social media, the word “evil” is not intended to inform, nor to stimulate a productive discussion, but is usually invoked to emotionally manipulate us. Of course, not everyone who uses judgmental language has this objective; there are many well intentioned average people who have simply never been exposed to any other way to think about and discuss our human experience.