By A. Shaw
Our question is: Is Donald Trump evil?
We may borrow from the writings of Aristotle and Kant their definition of evil.
According to the two writers mentioned above, evil is a state in which a being (either human or divine):
(1) Sees the difference between good and evil and this being CHOOSES the evil principle over the good principle,
(2) This being ACTS in accordance with the evil principle it chooses, and
(3) This being FEELS pleasure when it acts in accordance with the evil principle it chooses.
So, our question, formulated-above, assumes a new form:
Does Trump choose the evil principle over good and does he act accordingly? Further, does Trump enjoy these acts?
If the answer to all three of these questions is YES, then, according Aristotle and Kant, Trump is evil.
In respect to the first of the three questions, Trump sees the difference between good and evil with astonishing clarity. He vividly describes this difference in his speeches. He repeatedly CHOOSES the evil principle over good, especially evil that involves some kind of excess.
With respect to the second question,Trump promises to ACT in accordance with his choice of evil if he wins. Since political campaigning in itself is an ACT, we find that Trump acts in accordance with his evil choice of principle.
Does Trump ENJOY the pursuit of the evil principle which he chooses?
Trump enjoys evil, exceedingly.
He’s so jolly when he pursues evil that he often blunders and says things he didn’t intend to disclose, causing anguish for his campaign for president.
So, let’s return to our original question: Is Trump evil?
The answer is “absolutely.”
Trump is evil because he deliberately and joyfully pursues evil.
According to Aristotle, there are five states — evil, brutish, weak, strong, and good.
Some of Trump’s opponents and supporters argue adamantly that Trump isn’t evil, because he is brutish.
According to Aristotle, brutes and evil beings both do evil acts and both claim that evil acts feel good to them. But there is a fundamental difference between brutes and evil beings because brutes cannot see the difference between good and evil. Therefore it is impossible for a brute to choose evil or good. On the other hand, evil clearly sees the difference between itself and good. Hence, Trump isn’t a brute, he’s evil.
Some others argue Trump isn’t evil because he’s only weak.
Unlike both brutes and evil beings, the weak chooses the good principle over evil, but the weak are not strong enough to ACT in accordance with their choice. Trump is a person of prodigious willpower, so he acts in accordance with his choices.
Hence, Trump isn’t weak.
Still others argue Trump isn’t evil, but he’s strong.
The strong choose good over evil and act in accordance with their choice. But they don’t enjoy their choice. They hate their choice and long to do evil acts because they imagine that evil acts are fun. Trump neither chooses good nor does good acts. Hence, Trump isn’t strong but he’s evil.
Still others say Trump is evil because he’s good.
The good chooses good as their principle of action, acts according to their principle, and enjoys it.
Trump hasn’t one thing in common with the good.
Trump is evil.
CONCLUSION
Evil is corruption.
Power corrupts.
When they — Trump and the White House — unite,
Great sorrow.
