5 stars
People of the Lie is a psychiatrist's attempt to fuse science and religion by explaining the phenomenon of evil people with psychiatry. In a sentence, it was an interesting read, but I believe he was ultimately wrong.
According to Peck, evil is basically a kind of disease: malignant narcissism. The evil person is one who refuses to submit one's will to a higher power, be it God or some other virtue or discipline. Believing they are right and refusing to accept otherwise, they force others to live according to their worldview. Because they believe they are right, they will lie to themselves and others in order to convince others of their virtue (hence the title of the book, People of the Lie).
While using psychiatry terms to describe evil can be useful, I think that equating evil with narcissism is a mistake. First and foremost, narcissism is sometimes a medical condition, and other times a choice. Evil doesn't work that way. Evil isn't a medical condition that afflicts people. Second, calling evil a disease possibly suggests a genetic element, which is just wrong. The dichotomy of good and evil isn't about one's genetic structure, nor should it be.
As I said before, People of the Lie was an interesting read, but he simply wasn't right. It was fairly well written. I feel that it did dip too far into the occult for a nonfiction book, but only occasionally.
Don't you think there might be SOME genetic tendency toward evil, or at least some of the precursors to evil acts? I have often wondered why some people become serial killers while surely other people must also dream or imagine being serial killers but never cross the line. I think there is a genetic tendency toward narcissism. Some people are just more naturally "full of themselves" than other people. Perhaps that is a personality trait that can be encouraged or suppressed based on conscious choice and then gets out of control if not managed.
ReplyDeleteDell
I can certainly agree to a genetic element of narcissism. There's probably a narcissist gene somewhere on the Y chromosome. (ha ha!) I also won't deny that narcissism and evil have many similar traits, especially a will that refuses to be humbled or listen to others. However, I cannot accept that they are the same thing. There are cases of narcissism in which the individual really cannot help being narcissists. To suggest that this kind of person is evil is wrong. They are not evil, they are suffering from some chemical imbalance, brain damage, or the like. No person will be good or evil based on their genetic makeup. An evil person can get all the 'right' genes and a good person can get all the 'wrong' genes. In the end, good and evil is a choice. Those who choose to be narcissists are evil, those who cannot help being nacrissists are not. That is why I have to reject the author's premise.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with both of you. I do think, Dell, that there is possibly some genetic TENDENCY to be evil. But, ultimately, I also think that Anthony is correct that the final decision to commit an evil act, is just that--a decision. There is choice involved whether they have a genetic tendency or not. Now, to bring some theology into it, I also think that Satan would recognize those tendencies, and focus his tempting energies in that direction on an individual so inclined. Also, there is the question of the totally mentally unstable. Will someone who is totally out of their head be held accountable for all of their misdeeds, when they may have had no concept of right or wrong? Anthony, you suggest that they won't (in reference to narcissism), and I'm inclined to agree--but that also indicates that there ARE individuals who, while they might not necessarily CHOOSE to be evil, at least don't realize the effect their choices can ultimately have. Maybe I'm getting off subject now...
ReplyDeleteI dunno Amanda. If someone has a genetic tendency to do evil AND Satan recognizes such a tendency and focuses on those tendencies does that person really have a fair chance? If I happened to be someone without the evil genes, will I coast through life while others must suffer an extreme torment, for no other reason then they were born with the wrong genes? Again, I think that people can be more susceptible to things like narcissism, but such things aren't evil until a choice has been made to act wrong.
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