The Inevitable Punishment of Evil Acts and Its Impact on Goodness
This is an age-old question that continues to fascinate us: why must the wicked and evil be punished for their actions if their deeds seem to spur good people to do even more good? It's a thought-provoking question that delves into the essence of morality and human nature.
Dissecting the Premise
The premise of the question grew out of a flawed assumption that good comes from opposing evil. However, the reality is much different. Merriam-Webster defines good as 'desirable, beneficial, morally commendable.' Goodness is born from contemplating a societal need and taking actions to address it, regardless of whether that need is created by an individual or is present independently.
Consider the example of a fire starting. While a fire is clearly a harmful event, the brave firefighters who arrive to put it out are acting out of a desire to address the problem. This action ultimately benefits the community, even if it was an adverse situation to begin with. In the same way, feeding a starving man also addresses a need, regardless of the cause. These actions reflect true goodness because a need existed, and someone was willing to address it.
Conversely, creating a need – such as by starting a fire or neglecting to provide aid – is an act of evil. It's important to recognize that evil actions increase the overall amount of problems in a society. As a result, good people are often required to balance these lesser needs so that greater needs can be addressed. For instance, if a man starts a fire and a kind-hearted individual rushes to extinguish it, they may have to leave a person with a sprained ankle unaided. The actions of the good person ultimately leave a void that others must fill, thus increasing the overall burden on society's moral compass.
The Genesis of Evil Punishments
The concept of punishing the wicked and evil is as old as human existence. The Bible, for instance, provides a profound example through the story of Adam and Eve. Their expulsion from the Garden of Eden and the subsequent curses were a direct consequence of their disobedient choices. Genesis 6:5-8 provides an explicit account of the wickedness of humanity, with God expressing His regret at creating them and considering the eradication of the human race:
"5 The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. 6 The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth and his heart was deeply troubled. 7 So the Lord said “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”
It was due to the righteousness of Noah, as stated in Genesis 6:8-9, that humanity was spared. Noah's righteousness was inherent and did not stem from the surrounding wickedness; rather, it was a stand-alone attribute that made him worthy of divine favor. His example further supports the notion that bad acts require punishment, as goodness is an intrinsic quality built into the human race.
Aristotle's Perspective on Goodness
Aristotle further elaborated on the concept of goodness in his Nicomachean Ethics. In his writings, he posited that the good of man is a working of the soul in the way of excellence in a complete life. This facilitates the improvement of one's character and the attainment of virtue, which is a noble goal. On the other hand, bad actions are contradictory and impair one's ability to achieve this state. According to Aristotle, 'Bad in conflict with themselves they desire one thing and will another, like the incontinent who choose harmful pleasures instead of what they themselves believe to be good.'
A similar principle can be applied to the broader societal level. Nothing positive ever comes from people doing bad things. Such actions only create further burdens on the moral fabric of society, as others are forced to intervene and address the resulting issues. For instance, if someone causes a traffic accident, law enforcement, emergency services, and legal system resources are all drawn into addressing the situation, diverting attention from other pressing needs. This further underscores the necessity of holding the wicked and evil accountable for their actions.
Conclusion
The punishment of evil acts is not merely a form of retribution but a logical step in maintaining the overall balance and morality of society. By addressing evil, we ensure that the benefits of goodness are not diluted, allowing genuine acts of kindness and compassion to flourish.