If you want a mathematically accurate answer, there is a fundamental problem in game theory that models ethical dilemmas, with the unfortunate name “prisoner's dilemma”. wikipedia.org
The general idea is that in many cases it is much more attractive to betray than not to betray, and everyone is tempted to do so. But if everyone betrays, then everyone loses more than if they did not betray. That is, the very same “do not do to another what you would not like to be done to you” – now this is a school course of secular ethics. In fact, this is selfishness, which in my opinion is the definition of evil.
The same conclusion is given by systems theory: the optimum of the objective function (pleasure) of a subsystem can only accidentally optimize the super-system. And more often it makes the super-system uncompetitive and leads to the death of both. Like cancer cells that stop performing their functions in the body and multiply uncontrollably.
That is, evil is something that is attractive to the subsystem, but harmful to the super-system. Therefore, it is always attractive, but only if others do not do so.
And what is not attractive to the subsystem is already stupidity/shortsightedness.
If you want a mathematically accurate answer, there is a fundamental problem in game theory that models ethical dilemmas, with the unfortunate name “prisoner's dilemma”. wikipedia.org
The general idea is that in many cases it is much more attractive to betray than not to betray, and everyone is tempted to do so. But if everyone betrays, then everyone loses more than if they did not betray. That is, the very same “do not do to another what you would not like to be done to you” – now this is a school course of secular ethics. In fact, this is selfishness, which in my opinion is the definition of evil.
The same conclusion is given by systems theory: the optimum of the objective function (pleasure) of a subsystem can only accidentally optimize the super-system. And more often it makes the super-system uncompetitive and leads to the death of both. Like cancer cells that stop performing their functions in the body and multiply uncontrollably.
That is, evil is something that is attractive to the subsystem, but harmful to the super-system. Therefore, it is always attractive, but only if others do not do so.
And what is not attractive to the subsystem is already stupidity/shortsightedness.