A not-so-interesting discussion of the use of the term 'evil' in forensic psychology in the Times today...

A fairly standard thought in philosophy is that an evil act is one that is done with full recognition of the act's wrongness. I mention this because I have intentionally engaged in an evil act recently, to make sure that my hunch that one can do so without guilt was correct (this has some important philosophical ramifications). I stole something, knowing that it was wrong. And I didn't feel guilty afterwards. And I'm pretty confident that I could kill an innocent person (which, unlike petty theft, definitely could not be justified by philosophical curiousity) without feeling guilt afterwards. I wouldn't, because it's wrong, but I wouldn't feel guilty if I did either. And I don't think this makes me a psychopath. Just in case you were wondering. I mean, there's no chance I'll ever do it -- I promise -- but guilt plays no role in that conclusion whatsoever.

  ¶ 4:55 PM