The behavior of most animals is governed purely by instinct and their actions cannot be judged as good or evil. We humans, on the other hand, have the intellectual ability to plan and control our actions and are thus fully capable of demonstrating good or evil intentions. Religious persons, convinced that our goodness is instilled by God and that Satan is the source of all evil, take a simplistic view of this matter; some of us hope to achieve a deeper understanding of human behavior.
It seems to me that the ability to project goodness and kindness is directly linked to our capacity for empathy. We recognize the signs of pain, helplessness or loneliness in others and are able to understand the physical, mental and emotional turmoil that such conditions impose. Empathy is both innate and learned, shaped by the degree of nurturing that we receive during our early, dependent years. If appropriately equipped with this sensitivity, we are inclined to act, offering assistance or emotional support to those in need.
While empathy promotes goodness, selfishness, often combined with a limited capacity for empathy, is at the heart of evil behavior. Those who exhibit cruelty are generally self-centered individuals, most concerned with their own welfare; their excessive self-indulgence promotes self-righteousness and a willingness to ignore the views, feelings and rights of others. In extreme cases, where a psychiatric condition or personality disorder destroys the capacity for empathy, evil behavior may progress to verbal or physical attacks.
