AI Deep Dive - The Ontological Myth of Evil

The philosophical question of whether evil exists as a real force in the world or merely as a descriptive label we apply to harmful acts might seem abstract and removed from practical policy concerns. However, this metaphysical assumption profoundly shapes how societies approach crime prevention, punishment, and social intervention. When evil is conceived as an ontological reality - a genuine force or inherent quality that exists independently of social conditions - it legitimises punishment-focused responses that treat offenders as fundamentally different from law-abiding citizens. This worldview supports populist "tough on crime" policies whilst obscuring the systemic vulnerabilities that actually drive criminalised behaviour.