Is “evil” a real human trait, or just a folk label for complex causes we don’t fully understand? In this episode, two hosts engage in a spirited debate over whether harmful behavior stems from an inherent disposition toward evil—or whether it can be better explained by the interplay of environment, biology, and social context.
From childhood adversity and inequality to psychopathy and sadism, the discussion examines the evidence, wrestles with free will and moral responsibility, and considers how society should respond if we abandon “evil” as a primitive category. The result is a challenging but enlightening conversation that forces us to rethink punishment, prevention, and what it means to hold people accountable.