Note 10 — Chapter IV · THE ACTION-PATTERNS IMPLIED BY THE WORD “BAD,” WITH A NOTE ON THE PHYSIOLOGY OF “EVIL”
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The Significations of the Term “Evil”
1. That which causes or increases harm, injury, misfortune, or disease.
2. Such advice as is misleading, mischievous, or disastrous.
3. Any wish whose fulfilment would lead to calamity, trouble, or death.
4. Any abusive, malicious, or slanderous statement, (compare “evil tongue”).
5. Any period of time characterized by misfortune or suffering.
6. The term “evil” is also used in special senses, such as in the expression “social evil” (that is, prostitution). But such a use of this word, being special and more or less provincial, should not be over-emphasized in our definition. There are, moreover, many other social evils than prostitution, and some producing far more ethical disaster.