What is the Root of all evil?

[Tina]

I am seeking a single word or a single statement in answer to the question "What is the root of all evil?". (no Doctoral thesis' allowed). Keep it as simple as you can...so that a child could even understand it!

I have my theory - and it explains (to me anyway) every crappy thing humans have done in all of known human history!

Theoretically if the root of all evil is identified then we may be able to see how we contribute to it and do something about it.

But if at the end of this forum when I disclose my own answer and you might disagee - then you can have an opportunity to challenge my answer.

Why don't you have a go at thinking this one through.

So...WHAT IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL?

[MJA]

Inequity

=
MJA

[austintorn@aol.com]

Many personal and national arguments arise when one tries to force their way upon another. This can range from the subtle and coersive to an outright demanding command.

Personal: Please blah, blah,blah… because that's the way I like to do it.

National: Your nation needs to be run like ours…

Simply, one can never tell another what to do, unless you are an employer or a parent (of younger children).

[Tina]

Inequity

I knew you would say that - but sorry inequality is a MAJOR symtom but not the cause. [TRY AGAIN]


Afterthought: I think MJA's theory of equality is valid in that it identifies a potential for harmony and but we are looking for a cause here not solutions at this stage.

[Tina]

Personal: Please blah, blah,blah… because that's the way I like to do it.

National: Your nation needs to be run like ours…

The old "be like me or I'll kill you syndrome" - this is a symptom and not a cause [TRY AGAIN]

[mkirkpatrick]

Great thread topic Tina,I would venture to suggest that the root of all evil is "thinking that we are seperate from the whole" this causes the reverse to arise which is evil,the opposite
is live?


regards michael.

[austintorn@aol.com]

The cause of the symptom of 'do it my way' is the brain and its chemical imbalances that cause no guilt or conscience in some.

Bad learning, as well, for learning is a fairly permanent rewiring of the brain.

[Tina]

....suggest that the root of all evil is "thinking that we are seperate from the whole" this causes the reverse to arise which is evil,the opposite
is live?

regards michael.

This answer explains certainly an 'evil' mindset and will be helpful in examining as a 'thing' (as opposed to your suggested THING) to be corrected - but it is not the cause [TRY AGAIN]

[Tina]

The cause of the symptom of 'do it my way' is the brain and its chemical imbalances that cause no guilt or conscience in some.

Bad learning, as well, for learning is a fairly permanent rewiring of the brain.

Bad learning (a relative term) is a symptom.
Neurochemistry producing "lak- luv" chemicals is also an symptom. (I can see your are giving your neurochemicals a workout here). Please [TRY AGAIN]

[austintorn@aol.com]

Evolution produced a brain that survived not in spite of violence and aggression but because of it.

It was tempered somewhat by the cooperation required for the hunt, but some human-hunting increased the blood lust of the group, too.