Christopher Jones’s Ten Evils

My personal background as a son of a Christian minister and theologian has influenced my perspective on evil. In my twenties, I had a conversation with my father who confided in me that he did not believe in evil, the devil, or in any external dark power. This surprised me given all talk of evil and images of the devil in Christianity. What he said did align with what I was learning in graduate school about good and evil in Hawaiian, Pacific Island, Shinto, Buddhist, Hindu, and indigenous teachings and knowledge. Preliterate peoples and religions appear likely to have associated the violence and traumas associated with wildlife and weather with supernatural evil. Some belief systems support the idea of ghosts, disembodied evil, and bad spirits. My selection of evils follows Muslim and Judaic traditions that explain evil as a creation of man, not God. Similarly, my evils are not transcendent phenomena, but rather immanent, created by humans and inherent in human behavior.

My choices of evil are predominantly products of the Scientific Revolution, the Enlightenment, and industrialization. My list is neither exhaustive nor definitive, but exemplary of destructive human phenomena from my 2023 perspective. Some are material objects and others are phenomena. Some are policies or economic concepts. Some overlap. They are presented in alphabetical order, not in order of magnitude or degree of impact. Some have both positive and negative aspects.

1. Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)

AGI poses an existential threat to humans and is therefore evil in that sense. One of the AGI’s pioneers, Geoffrey Hinton, has likened it to the arrival of extraterrestrial aliens who speak very good English – we really have no idea of their potential or danger. The intrinsic evil is the inability of innovators to pause, to first consider the potential unanticipated consequences, of AGI before proceeding to develop it. It is unquestionable that the emergence of sophisticated artificial intelligence, such as the large language models that run machines such as ChatGPT are harbingers of revolutionary technology that will profoundly impact human life. AGI isnʻt here yet, but may be here soon.

AGI machines have the potential to positively improve health diagnoses, create greater abundance, increase leisure, improve housing and transportation, and reduce bureaucratic inefficiency in increasingly complex social systems. They may also very quickly learn to seek greater power to fulfill their purposes. Moreover, actual achievement of silicon sentience does not mean we will be able to communicate meaningfully with them, given the advantage of silicon memory and processing, especially the speed at which machines can process information—already vastly faster than humans. If not developed and controlled ethically, the evils of AGI include the potential for massive job displacement, the acceleration of the gap between rich and poor, and military applications. AGI machines could take on god-like qualities, super-human abilities, or radically disrupt the normal order. Humans could become dependent on automated systems for material existence creating a cargo cult mentality. Machines may have little incentive to conserve resources or energy at the expense of planet Earth. Biological forms of life might be seen as competition for those resources.

2. Anthropogenic greenhouse gases

Human-sourced carbon dioxide and methane buildup in the Earth’s atmosphere are a dangerous byproduct of our use of fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrialization. We are on track to raise the planet’s average temperature at least 2° C, or more, above the pre-industrial background due to these gases that retain heat within the Earthʻs atmosphere. They are a driving force in accelerated warming that is melting glaciers, causing heat waves, and adversely affecting human health and longevity. The impacts of climate change largely effect marginalized communities, particularly in developing countries, who have contributed very little to the problem. 

These gases are intrinsically evil because they contribute to the melting Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets that will likely raise sea levels dramatically and reshape the worldʻs coastlines. Scientists report that melting is accelerating even faster than previously believed. In 2023 we are entering a new El Niño weather pattern that will bring even hotter temperatures. More hell on Earth. Many religious teachings stress the importance of caring for nature and for providing stewardship to protect the environment. Allowing the buildup of greenhouse gases is a violation of a covenant: our responsibility to protect the Earth. Numerous indigenous belief systems, as well as monotheistic religions, believe that we have an obligation to leave a healthy environment for future generations. The continued generation of excessive greenhouse gases is a violation of that responsibility. 

3. Cars

Closely linked to the evil of greenhouse gases is the automobile. A symbol of freedom and mobility, and of the modern era, is the car. The USA helped spread the car virus across the planet but the countries with the largest per capita car ownership are tiny Gibraltar, Guernsey, San Marino, Liechtenstein, and Andorra – roughly one car per person. Cars are evil because of their impact on the environment, particularly air pollution—particulates and carbon dioxide emissions—and use of nonrenewable resources. They are directly responsible for tens of thousands of deaths annually, as well as hundreds of thousands of injuries. They have dominated the development of modern infrastructure and the urban landscape. Cars have had a large negative impact on mass transit, and human scale transportation such as walking and bicycling. The development of the interstate highway system in the USA divided and fractured many urban neighborhoods. 

Individual car ownership is not compatible with values of simplicity, frugality, and sustainable environmental practice. The evils include the negative ecological impacts, pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and the social inequalities baked into automobile infrastructure and economics. Cars also feed a culture of industrialization, individualism, and materialism. Interestingly, emerging younger generations in some countries are less likely to be car owners. Electric vehicles (Evs) are promoted as a greener alternative, but they still consume vast quantities of natural resources and water in their production. EV battery construction and electronic components require rare earth elements, the mining and production of which cause even economic inequality and more harm to Mother Earth.

4. CRISPR

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPR) is one of the revolutionary gene-editing technologies that has emerged this century. Another is the Transcription Activator-Like Effector Nucleases (TALEN) approach that uses restriction enzymes engineered to cut specific DNA sequences. This class of technologies is evil because of the enormous potential for unethical use. The technology is celebrated for its potential positive applications: for medical treatment and research, gene therapy, and possibly the re-introduction of extinct species. Unethical and evil use might include bioterrorism, experiments on the human genome, and long-term effects on the environment or future generations. As with AGI, the developments in this field are emerging rapidly, and there is a little oversight or consideration of unanticipated consequences of the use of the technology. Moreover, these techniques are not restricted to the laboratory but are being used in home basements and garages. 

Genetic enhancements could create numerous social, cultural, and ethical dilemmas. Genetic improvement of longevity, for example, might be available to only the very rich. Extinct species will be brought back to life and multi-species organisms, or chimera, are likely to be created without considering the impact on the environment. There are clear religious perspectives on the use of these technologies: some support their potential to alleviate suffering and improve the human condition in alignment with values of compassion and healing. The evil is in CRISPR’s potential to alter the “natural order” or by interfering with the human genetic code. Again, the technology may create god-like powers or could fundamentally disrupt planetary ecosystems.

5. Fake News

The shift to the digital age in most of the industrialized world has transformed journalism and the explosion of social media channels have given rise to fabricated news and misinformation. Ex-US President Donald Trump is renowned for spreading false information, lies, and he still denies his loss of the 2020 US presidential elections. Similarly, conspiracy theories and prevaricated news reach tens of millions of people over social media platforms. Fascists still deny the Holocaust and the Srebrenica massacre. Fake news is used to manipulate public opinion, sow doubt and division, erode trust in public institutions, and the media. Fake news is evil because it is used to deceive and manipulate. 

Religious traditions advocate for truth and integrity, and the deliberate spread of fake news is as a violation of ethical principles. Fake news is evil because it contradicts the importance of honesty, truth, and the potential harm due to deception and deceit. The social media platforms intertwined with fake news and conspiracy theory dissemination take away individual’s ability to think critically, to question assumptions, and otherwise think for themselves. Fake news is evil because it contributes to overall ignorance at a time when humans, individuals and communities truly need to think critically and creatively about visioning positive futures.

6. Gill Drift Nets

Gill drift nets are long fishing nets hauled by trawlers and large fishing vessels. The fishing technique is criticized as an industrial approach to fishing that severely impacts marine ecosystems. The nets may stretch for miles and are occasionally cut loose and abandoned. These so-called ghost drift nets continue to wreak havoc for years as they drift on their own in the open ocean. The overall gill drift net practice is unsustainable because it can trap and kill unintended marine species, including endangered ones. Gill drift net fishing is harmful to marine biodiversity, making it ethically problematic. 

This practice is evil, because it disregards our obligation to provide stewardship for natural resources and responsibility for the Earth and its inhabitants. The practice is a violation of that stewardship; and this approach to fishing is evil, because it is disrespectful of the ocean itself, it’s creatures, and planetary functions. It is an unsustainable industrial, fossil fuel-based approach to fishing. Also evil is the assumption that ghost drift nets are simply a “cost of doing business,” rather than an action that has serious adverse long-term implications. 

7. Orbital Congestion

Near-Earth orbital (NEO) is the growth of the accumulation of space debris in lower orbits near the earth, caused by decommissioned satellites, used rocket stages, and other objects from human space activities. The congestion poses risks to functioning satellites and may result in collisions that could generate even more debris. The Kessler Syndrome, or ablational cascade events, warns of the potential for catastrophe in near earth orbital space once orbital congestion gets to a critical mass generating a cascade of ricocheting fragments that could destroy most satellites in NEO. A Kessler Syndrome event would mean the end of our ability to use these orbital spaces for communication, navigation, and observation. It could even threaten the launch of rockets to the moon and outer space for the foreseeable future. 

This congestion is evil, because it threatens the sustainability and safety of space operations, including satellite communications, weather observation, Earth-sensing, ocean and atmosphere, and other scientific research. Companies such as Elon Musk’s Starlink system (42,000 satellites are projected) are already adversely affecting Earth-based telescopy and adding further to the congestion and chances of miscalculation. Catastrophe in orbit could permanently alter the night sky, and our view of the universe. The debris would eventually burn up in the upper atmosphere, but some large pieces will inevitably come to ground with at least some potential for death and destruction.

8. Scarcity Economics

In a world of obvious abundance, why is our economic system based on scarcity? One of the basic assumptions of neoliberal capitalism is that inequality is a given. The system perpetuates disparities by concentrating wealth in the hands of a few, while leaving billions without access to necessities for survival. Moreover, this unequal distribution leads to poverty, social unrest, and marginalized populations. Scarcity economics can be seen as evil by ethical frameworks, such as utilitarianism, that prioritize overall well-being and happiness – “the greatest good for the greatest number.” Utilitarian economics leans towards the promotion of resource, abundance and equitable distribution of goods and services. The core evil is of scarcity economics is continuous economic growth, that leads to over-exploitation of natural resources, fossil fuel use, and environmental degradation. This approach neglects the finite nature of Earth’s resources, limits to fossil fuel extraction, and the long-term consequences of ecological harm. 

Disregard for environmental sustainability is ethically objectionable, and downright evil. Scarcity economics is contradictory to stewardship because it perpetuates resource depletion and unequal distribution of wealth. Scarcity economics clashes with concepts of compassion, justice, and care for marginalized and excluded communities. Many religious traditions emphasize communal well-being and solidarity, and the competitive nature of scarcity economics privileges an individualistic mindset that prioritizes self interest over communal needs. The focus on competition rather than cooperation seems fundamentally wrong and undermines values of shared responsibility and mutual support.

9. State-sanctioned Killing

State-sanctioned killing, such as the death penalty, extra judicial killings, and most warfare should be seen as evil, particularly by people who oppose the taking of human life. It violates the basic right to life and can lead to the wrongful execution of innocent people. State-sanctioned killing perpetuates a cycle of violence. The United Nations was established in large measure as a response to the horrors of World War II, and yet, the Cold War and conflicts in many parts of the world show the sad nature of state behavior in the last 80 years. We have learned much about conflict resolution, but as a species have fallen dangerously short of achieving the aspirational policy goals, such as the UN Declaration of Human Rights. How else will we stop the cycle of violence unless nation-state actors renounce state-sanctioned killing? It may start at the national level where some 85 countries have outlawed the death penalty.

Most major religions promote principles such as compassion, forgiveness, and respect for human life. From a religious standpoint, state-sanction killing is evil, because it conflicts with these principles. While self-defense, at the community and individual levels, appears to be morally defensible, purposeful killing by powerful organizations, such as nation states, disregards a nation stateʻs capacity to preserve human rights and dignity and find alternatives to violence.

10. Human Trafficking

The last evil on my list is the most evil of them all, the recruitment, transportation, or harboring of individuals through force, coercion, deception, or other means for the purpose of exploitation—human trafficking and slavery. It is estimated by the International Labor Organization and the Walk Free Foundation (2022) that over 25 million people are in forced labour at any given point in time. Human trafficking is a fundamental violation of the inherent dignity and basic rights of individuals, depriving them of freedom, autonomy, and agency, making them commodities to be bought and sold. This is a profound ethical concern. The practice targets marginalized populations, particularly women, children, migrants, and refugees. Children born into slavery inherit their status and likely endure a lifetime of exploitation. Victims are subject to emotional, psychological, and physical harm; victims endure extreme suffering and trauma.

The practice is operated by and profits criminal networks, complicit individuals, and corrupt social systems that allow the practice to flourish. The international nature of human slavery raises moral questions about our collective responsibility to end the practice. Human trafficking is evil because it reduces individuals to property, denies their inherent worth, and reduces them to objects of ownership. Trade in human beings as chattel devalues their humanity, erodes the principles of equality, and violates the basic respect for all humans as individuals. The systematic oppression and cruelty of human trafficking underscores its evil nature. Slavery routinely occurs in societies with institutionalized discriminatory practices, allowing it to persist. Tolerance for these institutional practices, represent a moral failure at the highest level of the larger society, pointing to the need for systemic change. Seeing human trafficking and slavery as evil reflects the inherent wrongness, injustice, and moral repugnance associated with these utterly odious practices.