The Three Kinds of Evil

A new analysis published on LessWrong explores a framework for understanding human malice by dividing evil into three distinct categories. The author distinguishes between hedonistic evil, where harm is caused for personal enjoyment, and instrumental evil, where harm is a byproduct of pursuing goals like money or power. The third category, termed righteous evil, describes individuals who commit atrocities because they believe their actions are beneficial or morally necessary. To illustrate these differences, the piece examines the varying motivations of three Jim Crow era segregationists, arguing that righteous evil is often the primary driver behind the most significant historical harms.

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