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Evil, by definition, is that which endangers the good, and the good is that which we perceive as a value.
Konrad Lorenz
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Evil threatens what we hold valuable, and goodness is tied to our perceptions of value.

In this quote, Konrad Lorenz suggests that evil can be understood as anything that poses a threat to the good, which he defines in terms of our shared values. This indicates that our perception of what is good is subjective and that evil is directly linked to the violation of those values we cherish. The relationship between good and evil is therefore rooted in our understanding of what we find valuable in life.

Themes

EvilGoodValuesPerceptionThreat

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion about morality, this quote can be used to highlight the importance of recognizing threats to our values.

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