Can anyone be described as evil?

Answer 1

Well, it depends. An evil person is described as someone who commits evil acts. However, whether an act is truly "evil" or not is questionable, and a matter of some debate.

Evil itself is little more than a comparison. To elaborate; in its simplest form, we define an evil act as is something one does which the majority of individuals would not want done to themselves. For example, murder is often considered evil because few people have a desire to be killed. However, there are a number of other instances where the majority of the populace dislikes something, but it isn't widely considered to be evil; often due to necessity. For example, taxes. Few people enjoy being taxed, but so long as it's not so extreme as to be considered extortion, it's not generally considered to be an evil.

What is evil is also heavily influenced by religious factors. Most faiths have a code of conduct which its practitioners are expected to follow. For example, the majority of monotheists attempt to follow the "commandments" of their faiths listed in texts such as The Bible, Talmud or Qur'an as closely as possible. However, not all of the acts deemed evil in such books are considered to be evil by the majority of the populace. As such, there is much controversy on the subject.

All in all, what is considered to be evil is largely a matter of opinion. You must set your own standards for such. So to answer your question: Yes; a person may be described as evil, but only if you feel them to be so. But naturally, not everyone will feel inclined to agree with your opinion on the matter; especially the person being labeled evil. Few people see themselves as evil, even if many others consider them to be.

Answer 2

The concept of evil is subjective and can vary depending on cultural, ethical, and moral perspectives. Some individuals may exhibit behaviors or traits that are commonly associated with evil, but labeling someone as inherently evil is a complex and debated issue.